British heavyweight Tyson Fury has played down the significance of former trainer Ben Davison’s decision to work with Anthony Joshua ahead of their reported December 11 showdown in Cardiff.
Joshua has reunited with Davison as preparations intensify for the anticipated heavyweight clash, scheduled for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The move marks a return to a familiar working relationship for Joshua, who previously worked with Davison before they parted ways following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.
During their earlier partnership, Joshua recorded victories over Otto Wallin and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou before losing to Dubois.
He later worked with Oleksandr Usyk’s training team ahead of subsequent bouts but has now brought Davison back into his corner for another major heavyweight challenge.
Davison also has experience working with Fury, having trained the British boxer for five fights. Their partnership included Fury’s memorable 2018 draw with Deontay Wilder, following his return to professional boxing after an extended absence.
Davison’s move to Joshua’s camp has attracted attention because of his familiarity with Fury’s boxing style, strengths and weaknesses.
However, Fury has dismissed suggestions that the decision has caused tension between them.
Speaking in an interview with Michelle Joy Phelps, Fury jokingly described Davison as a “traitor” but said he had no personal problem with the trainer’s decision.
He acknowledged that Davison had professional and family responsibilities and should be free to make decisions in his own interests.
“It does not mean anything to me. I wish Ben all the best. Ben’s got a wife and kids to feed, so Ben needs to do what’s right for him, not what’s right for me, because God knows I will be doing what is right for me,” Fury said.
“I won’t be thinking about Ben Davison anyway.”
Fury also praised Davison’s abilities as a boxing trainer, describing him as a capable coach and expressing satisfaction with their previous working relationship.
“Ben is a good trainer, and I wish him all the best. I do not have any hard feelings towards Ben for training AJ; it’s a job at the end of the day,” he added.
“Ben and I had a good time together. We’re still friendly. I think it’s a good idea for AJ to train with Ben anyway. Ben is a good guy, fun guy to be around, good pad man and all that stuff.”
Joshua’s reunion with Davison adds another talking point to the build-up to the reported heavyweight contest, with attention now focused on how the partnership will shape his preparations.
