Boxing fans were left horrified after spotting the condition of referee Howard Foster’s shirt following Daniel Dubois’ brutal heavyweight war with Fabio Wardley.
The savage title fight descended into complete chaos as blood poured across the ring during one of the most violent heavyweight battles seen in Britain for years.
By the end of the contest, even the referee was drenched in blood.
Wardley suffered gruesome facial damage during the fight, with his badly swollen eye and heavily bleeding nose leaving blood splattered across the canvas, ringside area and even the commentary desk.
At one point, cameras zoomed in on giant droplets of blood sprayed across paperwork sitting in front of commentators.
But it was the transformation of Foster’s white referee shirt throughout the fight that really stunned viewers watching at home.
Images from earlier rounds showed the official wearing a clean blue shirt before the relentless exchanges between both fighters turned it dark red with blood stains.
“Even the ref felt it,” one X user wrote, with a second adding: “That ref did a really good job. I’ve watched boxing for 50 years and easily more than 50 years and it was easily one of the best rough fights I’ve seen.”
“This was a war,” another tweeted, with a fourth writing: “looks like a butcher”.
The brutal WBO heavyweight title clash ultimately ended in the 11th round after Dubois overwhelmed Wardley in an unforgettable slugfest.
Dubois was crowned WBO heavyweight champion after stopping his fellow Brit in a fight many fans – and pros – are already calling an instant classic.
The madness started almost immediately. Wardley shocked the packed Manchester crowd by dropping Dubois inside the opening 10 seconds.
Dubois was then sent crashing down again in the third round as the challenger threatened a massive upset.
But the heavyweight champion clawed his way back into the fight and began unloading devastating shots of his own as both men traded huge punches round after round.
Wardley’s nose, which has caused issues in previous fights, quickly became a major problem again as blood streamed heavily down his face.
His right eye also began swelling badly as the punishment intensified.
Still, somehow, he kept marching forward.
Commentator Adam Smith summed up the carnage ringside by saying: “It’s like watching a Rocky film.”
As blood continued spraying around the ring, another commentator added: “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.”
The ringside doctor was eventually called in to inspect Wardley’s badly damaged eye as concerns grew over whether he should be allowed to continue.
But the Ipswich fighter refused to back down despite taking enormous punishment.
Even after the stoppage, many fans praised Wardley’s toughness after somehow remaining on his feet for almost the entire contest despite Dubois repeatedly landing huge shots.
The defeat marked the end of a remarkable run for Wardley, although his stock arguably rose even in defeat following his fearless performance. After skipping the post-fight press conference, Wardley later broke his silence on social media with an emotional message to supporters.
“My body failed me, but not my heart. And that I can live with…” he wrote. “Congratulations @DynamiteDubois, thank you for a great fight worthy of the history books.
“Thank you to the city of Manchester and everyone that has been along on this journey with me. #TeamWardley”
The 31-year-old’s post was quickly flooded with praise from fellow fighters and football stars alike.
Heavyweight rival Frazer Clarke simply wrote: “Champ.”
Queensberry Promotions added: “True warrior. Will be back”
Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis posted: “What a warrior. Back stronger.”
Midfielder Kasey McAteer added: “A true warrior.”
Promoter Frank Warren later confirmed there is a rematch clause in place should both fighters choose to run the fight back. After the sheer violence fans witnessed in Manchester, many already want to see it happen again — although referee Howard Foster may prefer a darker coloured shirt next time.
Featured image credit: YouTube/DAZN Boxing (screenshot)
