Wardley: Davison could help AJ with 'inside knowledge' of Fury

Key points

• Fabio Wardley says Ben Davison's prior work with Tyson Fury gives Anthony Joshua 'some inside knowledge' for their December 11 fight.
• Davison, who has trained both fighters, will be in Joshua's corner at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
• Wardley, who faces Daniel Dubois on Saturday, hopes to earn a shot at the Fury-Joshua winner.

Fabio Wardley has suggested that trainer Ben Davison could give Anthony Joshua 'some inside knowledge' ahead of his heavyweight fight with Tyson Fury. Davison, who has worked with both fighters, will be in Joshua's corner for the bout at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.

Wardley, a former WBO heavyweight champion who also works with Davison, told Sky Sports News that a trainer's past connections are a significant factor. He said Davison's experience with Fury might be used, but it depends on the fighter in front of him, adding: 'You play to their strengths, not to the opponent's weaknesses.'

Fury's 'traitor' remark dismissed

Fury called Davison a 'traitor', but former world champion George Groves told Sky Sports that the label is unfair. Groves said Davison has worked with almost all heavyweights and suggested Fury left Davison, not the other way around, calling it 'just banter'.

Groves also said Joshua made the right choice by bringing Davison back for fight night after recently working with Oleksandr Usyk's training team. He explained that a familiar voice in the corner can be crucial if crisis hits, even if more established coaches exist on paper.

Your trainer, irrespective of working with people previously is a huge factor going into the fight

— Fabio Wardley

Wardley targets winner

Wardley can regain the WBO heavyweight title in his rematch with Daniel Dubois on Saturday. He said the Fury-Joshua fight is worthy of a world title, with the WBA 'super' belt on the line, and hopes to earn a shot at the winner by defeating Dubois at The O2.

Wardley questioned whether the rankings perfectly justify a title for Fury-Joshua but said it probably deserves one. He added that a win would let him pursue fights with the likes of Filip Hrgovic or Agit Kabayel.