Former world champion and current boxing columnist
streaming DAZN Briton Tony Bellew has apologized to fellow coach Ben Davison.
The incident happened over the weekend during a fight for the WBA featherweight title. The British champion Lee Wood controlled the course of the fight with the Mexican Mauricio Lara, but for some reason he initiated exchanges more and more often – in the 7th round, the fighters simultaneously threw left hooks, and the challenger hit. Wood struggled to his feet, but coach Davison did not allow him to continue the fight – he threw in the towel.
Bellew pissed off that episode, because there were 10 seconds left before the end of the three-minute period. In this he was supported by his colleague on the microphone Carl Froch.
But literally the next day, Froch recorded a video in which he said that he “talked to Wood in the morning. He says bluntly: “No. In fact, I could not continue the fight. My legs completely failed.” And I realized that no one knows Wood better than Davison. As the fight progressed, I decided that it was a hasty decision. But after talking with Lee, he realized that Ben did everything right. He saved Wood, saving him the opportunity to take back the title in a rematch.”
Bellew even apologized to Davison: “What else can I say after Froch’s words? Only one. Davison did everything right. After all, only Wood knows the whole truth. I want to say something. I am always open to discussions. And if he was wrong, he is always ready to admit that he was wrong. All I can do now is apologize to Davison. Dude, you saved your fighter by giving him another chance.”
Davison’s career began suddenly – the young mentor briefly coached Billy Joe Saunders and returned Tyson Fury to professional boxing. Ben collaborates (but not in the status of head coach) with the undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, has previously worked with Josh Taylor, trains prospects Lee McGregor and Shabaz Massoud.
Interestingly, recently Bellew compared American coaches with British ones – it turned out funny.
