Trainer Don Charles has slammed Tony Bellew after the former WBC cruiserweight champion brandished Daniel Dubois as a ‘quitter’ in a sensational claim.
Charles began working with Dubois back in August of 2023 and played a key role in the Brit’s outstanding IBF world heavyweight title defence over Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
The duo’s relationship came to an end after ‘DDD’ suffered a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last summer, although they would reunite at the beginning of this year ahead of Dubois’ thrilling showdown with Fabio Wardley on May 9, where he became the WBO world heavyweight champion.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Charles called out Bellew for his ‘quitter’ comments about Dubois as he claims the retired Brit ‘should know better’.
“Right. Again, I’m going to name names. One name in particular, and that name should know better. I don’t know what Daniel has done to this particular individual, and the saddest thing about it is that I was a fan of this individual when he was active.
“That fighter, his name is Tony Bellew … Mr Bellew, go back and watch yourself and Adonis Stevenson, and then come back to me and tell me who’s a quitter. People have very selective memories and short memories.”
Dubois has received heavy criticism over the last five years after he appeared to take a knee prior to being stopped by countryman Joe Joyce back in November 2020, a bout that came before Charles had began training ‘DDD’.
Charles gave plaudits to Dubois shortly after he defeated Wardley earlier his month after he climbed off the canvas on two occasions to eventually stop the previously unbeaten Brit in the penultimate round of their showdown at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
