Daniel Dubois’ trainer showcases bizarre motivational tactic during Wardley clash

Daniel Dubois' trainer showcased a strange motivational tactic between rounds en-route to the 28-year-old’s victory over Fabio Wardley.

Dubois and Wardley battled this evening in a clash for the ages — a brutal slugfest that culminated in an 11th round stoppage victory for Dubois.

The 28-year-old, now a two-time WBO heavyweight champion, was previously knocked down after just 10 seconds in the fight’s opening round, then again in Round 3.

The latter knockdown left Dubois reeling on one knee, requiring eight seconds to get up and continue the fight with Wardley.

After an initially positive series of rounds for the defending champion, Dubois battled back in the fourth, leading to a Round 6 bloodbath that almost saw a stoppage victory for the now two-time heavyweight champion.

Wardley’s wounds quickly became a source of concern for the referee — with his right eye appearing to close up entirely alongside a vicious nose gash — leading to persistent inspections throughout the fight.

Don Charles slaps Dubois twice mid-fight

En-route to his eventual 11th round victory, Don Charles, Dubois’ trainer, slapped the 28-year-old back and forth across his face between rounds.

Dubois’ head was visibly flung side-to-side by the slaps, which occurred shortly after the two initial knockdowns from Wardley.

While unusual in its approach — often described as an old-school and outdated tactic by boxing aficionados — it appears to have paid off massively in waking up an initially struggling Dubois.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed some of his career-best wins under the training of Charles, notably en-route to the vacant IBF heavyweight title between the years of 2023 and 2024, as he beat Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgović and Anthony Joshua.

Dubois and Charles parted ways following the now two-time heavyweight champion’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2025, but Fabio Wardley’s trainer understood the impact of their reunion heading into the Wardley fight.

Speaking to BoxingScene, Wardley’s long-time trainer, Rob Hodgins, described Charles as “the best” for Dubois, detailing how the 28-year-old struggled to find the right trainer throughout his career.

“I've known Daniel for a long time. I remember when he was with Mark Tibbs for a bit, he was with Shane McGuigan, he was down at the Peacock Gym. It's trying to find the right fit for you. I think Don, in his whole career, has been the best for him,” said Hodgins.

“I think Daniel boxed well under Don and has given him the confidence. Don's added on to what Daniel's good at… If something's not broken, don't fix it. I think Don's the best fit for him,” he continued.

After his Round 11 victory over Wardley this evening at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, Dubois praised his “warrior” opponent while speaking to DAZN, before details of a possible rematch emerged.

The 28-year-old — who boasts a 23-3-0 record — will now look to defend the World Boxing Organisation title, having previously held it from 2024 to 2025.