Fabio Wardley was left covered in blood after a brutal war with Daniel Dubois descended into complete chaos, ultimately ending in defeat.
Wardley suffered a gruesome eye and nose injury as blood poured down his face and nose during the explosive title showdown, The Sun reports.
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Dubois stopped Wardley in the 11th round to become the WBO heavyweight champion, in what will go down as one of the best heavyweight fights of all time.
Wardley stunned the packed crowd almost instantly, dropping Dubois within the opening 10 seconds.
Dubois looked shaken after being sent to the canvas again in the third, in what became one of the wildest heavyweight fights seen in Britain.
But the violence only escalated as Dubois fired back with huge shots of his own.
Wardley, whose nose tends to bleed in most of his fights, was in trouble as this time both his eyesight and breathing were affected.
Wardley’s right eye quickly began swelling badly as both heavyweights traded bombs throughout the fight.
Blood could then be seen streaming down the Wardley’s face and splattering around ringside.
The cameras showed huge droplets of blood had landed on the notes of paper on the commentary team’s desk ringside.
“It’s like watching a Rocky film,” commentator Adam Smith said.
“Globules of blood. This is the brutality of this blockbuster heavyweight fight.”
“It’s pure cinema. This is the maddest fight I’ve ever been at,” his co-commentator added.
Even the referee Howard Forster ended up with his shirt covered in blood as the savage contest continued.
At one stage the ringside doctor was called in to inspect Wardley’s badly swollen eye and decide whether he was fit to continue.
The Brit marched back into the centre of the ring despite his face being badly damaged from the punishment, in a fight that was unforgiving for both men’s health.
A great spectacle for fight fans, both men deserve the ultimate praise for their bravery and for providing one of the best heavyweight fights.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed there was a rematch clause in the contract should Dubois and Wardley want to run it back.
Dubois has lost twice to heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk in recent years.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
