Fabio Wardley’s side have raised fresh concerns about Daniel Dubois’ tactics in their first fight and called for a “stronger referee” in Saturday’s rematch.
Dubois got off the canvas twice to claim a stoppage victory in a big fight with Wardley and won the WBO heavyweight championship in May.
The duo will have a rematch this weekend at London’s O2 arena.
After the first fight, Wardley’s team expressed their frustration with referee Howard Foster’s officiating, and manager Michael Ofo raised further questions about Dubois’ approach.
“We are calling for a stronger judge because it is needed,” Ofo said Sky Sports. “We don’t want it to be spoiled by the same antics displayed in the first fight.”
“There was a lot of leadership from the start,” Ofo claimed.
“MMA rugby fight. He’s said in several interviews that he wasn’t hurt, he just took a knee. Why would you just take a knee and stop the action?”
Kneeling is allowed, but Ofo said: “If you don’t get hurt and you kneel, there should be a penalty.
“He got the win, but there was a lot of Dirty Dan on screen,” Ofo said. “Fabio is a nice guy and he doesn’t say it, but it’s our job to right the wrongs.”
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Daniel Dubois has claimed he is “not friends” with Fabio Wardley ahead of their rematch at The O2 on October 17.
Dubois’ coach Don Charles informed about this Sky Sports: “I’m struggling to figure out what he means… It’s a battle.
“This is a very high-level, A-grade referee. I’m sure if Daniel had committed a foul, he would have made the decision.”
Asked what the opposing camp based its claims on, Charles said: “Insecurity and vulnerability.”
“What you’re going to hold on to, you want to hold on to. It’s too late.”
Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Control Board, assured: “The judge will treat both of them fairly.”
Wardley goes into the rematch just five months after the punishing first fight. “I’m sure they’re not stupid, they would consult with a medical examiner to determine if he can fight,” Dubois’ trainer Charles said.
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Andy Scott explains how Fabio Wardley’s side are “disappointed” with the refereeing after “illegal tackles” in their defeat to Daniel Dubois.
“On the business front, I completely understand and acknowledge why he would do this [rematch clause] because otherwise he would be on a waiting list where it could take him another 12 or 18 months, potentially 24 months, to be eligible to fight for another world title.
“So I totally understand the business side.”
Wardley is confident he can avenge his first professional loss.
Ofo said, “The next day right away [after the fight] “I know I can fix my mistakes,” he said on the phone.
“I know exactly where I need to improve.”
“The doctors cured him and there was no problem for the fight to happen,” he said. “We want great fights so we can’t complain when they happen.
“I don’t think you’ll ever see a better heavyweight fight than the first one [the rematch] Now it’s happening when both boys are still in their prime.”