Ben Davison has responded to the discussion surrounding his decision to throw in the towel for his fighter, Leigh Wood, in the seventh round of a title defence against Mauricio Lara.
Fans were given what had been promised in the fight – huge shots thrown and taken with excitement from the first bell.
The setting was Wood’s hometown of Nottingham, and he looked to be heading towards a victory over the Mexican who had so sensationally defeated Josh Warrington on away soil back in 2021.
Unfortunately for Wood, Lara connected with a left hook in the seventh round that sent the champion straight to the deck. He made the count, but before the referee could resume the action, Davison had pulled his fighter out of there.
The trainer came under intense scrutiny, particularly from the punditry team on DAZN, for the decision. His response was a simple one, likely with more to come over the next few days and weeks.
“I respect both sides of opinions.”
I respect both sides of opinions
— Ben Davison (@BenDavison_) February 19, 2023
Those both sides he’s referring to are people who have commended him for making the difficult, split-second decision to take his fighter out of danger, and others who have claimed Wood should’ve been able to fight on until the end of the round.
The one opinion that matters most, though, is Wood’s. He took to Twitter to confirm that he was with Davison on the decision, highlighting that he’ll fight another day with everything intact.
“I stand by my coaches decision I know he cares about me. Boxers sometimes have to be saved by themselves, I have more big nights ahead. It was painful at the time but with my kids today, smile on my face, knowing i’ll be back better than before like always.”
Also I stand by my coaches decision I know he cares about me.
Boxers sometimes have to be saved by themselves, I have more big nights ahead.
It was painful at the time but with my kids today smile on my face knowing ill be back better than before like always 👊🏼❤️— Leigh Wood (@itsLeighWood) February 19, 2023
Wood’s handling of defeat is as deserving of praise as his run as champion, and fans should be grateful he has more nights under the lights to give – for that, he can perhaps thank Davison.
The team have a rematch clause available to them should they want to run it back with Lara, with an intriguing fight with Warrington also on the table for the future.