Don Charles has spoken out to defend the controversial pre-fight gathering at Daniel Dubois' home before his knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
The trainer firmly rejected suggestions it was a party during his appearance on talkSPORT's White and Jordan programme.
"Let's retract that word, it wasn't a party it was a gathering," Charles explained in the exclusive interview.
The event, organised by Dubois' father, has drawn significant criticism from the boxing community.
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|Don Charles dismissed allegations of a party on Saturday before Daniel Dubois' fight against Oleksandr Usyk
Many questioned the wisdom of hosting numerous guests mere hours before an undisputed heavyweight title bout at Wembley Stadium.
Charles maintained the gathering was a deliberate tactical decision rather than a lapse in judgement.
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The trainer disclosed that an identical approach had been employed before Dubois' stunning victory against Anthony Joshua.
Charles emphasised how that earlier gathering had generated the remarkable energy displayed during Dubois' ring walk for the Joshua bout.
"The same gathering was used as the prep on fight day for the AJ fight, the day he won," Charles stated.
"A lot was made of it with the energy he walked out at for the Anthony Joshua fight. That gathering was taken from home to the dressing room for that fight."
The trainer argued that repeating a successful formula made perfect sense. "Yes [we tried to replicate it], we were victorious, if it works for you the first time, you'd do it again," he said.
The gathering before the Usyk fight featured more attendees than the previous one, according to Charles.
"There might have been more people for this second gathering to get more energy, I'm a logical man and it makes logical sense," he explained.
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PA | Daniel Dubois was dropped in the fifth round on SaturdayWhen questioned whether Dubois was acquainted with everyone present, Charles admitted uncertainty.
"I can't tell you he did. I wasn't there and I chose not to go there," he revealed.
The British fighter arrived at Wembley Stadium with under two hours remaining before his ring entrance. Reports suggested his late arrival in a large group created complications for his stadium entry.
Despite the pre-fight controversy, Charles insisted Dubois was properly prepared when he entered the ring.
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🚨DUBOIS PARTY FOOTAGE
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Footage of the party Daniel Dubois allegedly had at his home in London a few hours before his Undisputed Heavyweight Title fight against Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday pic.twitter.com/3uDpnEDPOu
"I thought he was in the right frame of mind, yes," he confirmed. "The young man I saw in the dressing room, we had ample time to warm up."
The trainer dismissed suggestions that the gathering affected Dubois' performance, instead crediting Usyk's exceptional ability.
"We were operating at 25 per cent capacity, and that is something to do with the legendary great in front of us," Charles acknowledged.
He concluded by attributing the fifth-round stoppage primarily to the Ukrainian's skill. "I put it down to Oleksandr Usyk being that much of a genius as a fighter. It had a large say in what happened in the fight."