Boxing art collector Ingo Wegerich explores the stories behind iconic fight artwork, drawing on his extensive private collection. This piece centres on Anthony Joshua’s redemption win over Andy Ruiz Jr.
Following the tragic accident on December 29, 2025, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria – in which two close friends and team members of Anthony Joshua, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, lost their lives – there has been a period of quiet around the two-time unified heavyweight champion.
As attention turns back to ‘AJ’s next move, we revisit one of the defining moments of his career – and the artwork that captured it.
The Fight
The rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7, 2019, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, was an event of extremes – sporting, financial and logistical.
Six months earlier, late-replacement Andy Ruiz Jr. had stunned the boxing world at Madison Square Garden, knocking Joshua down four times in seven rounds to claim the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO titles. Comparisons to Mike Tyson’s defeat by Buster Douglas were inevitable.
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The rematch, titled Clash on the Dunes, was not only the first heavyweight world championship staged in Saudi Arabia, but also an early marker of what has since become a new boxing Mecca.
The event came with an extraordinary financial package. Joshua reportedly earned between $60 million and $85 million, while Ruiz earned between $10 million and $13 million. The Diriyah Arena – an open-air stadium in the desert – was constructed in just six weeks and held 15,000 spectators.
At the weigh-in, the contrast was clear. Ruiz tipped the scales at 283.7lbs, more than 15lbs heavier than in the first fight, prompting suggestions he had celebrated too long. Joshua, by contrast, came in at 237¾lbs – over 10lbs lighter than before.
Inside the ring, the fight was controlled and clinical. Joshua dictated the distance, stayed disciplined, and scored consistently behind his jab and footwork. Ruiz struggled to close the gap or land anything meaningful.
More importantly, Joshua had answered every question with a tactical masterclass.
The Artwork
Boxing News marked Clash on the Dunes with a striking painted cover in vibrant shades of yellow, gold and brown, depicting both fighters in action. The artwork was created by Hall of Fame artist Richard T. Slone.
Image credit: Richard T. Slone
The colour palette carries symbolic weight. Yellow, often associated with tension and inner unrest, reflects the nervous energy before the fight. Gold represents ambition, wealth and grandeur, while also evoking the Saudi setting. The tones collectively mirror desert sand – a deliberate reference to the event’s title. Brown adds a sense of tradition and timelessness.
The painting was completed before the fight, which explains why it does not reflect the eventual physical disparity between the fighters. In Slone’s depiction, Joshua appears compact and powerful, almost gladiatorial, with sharply defined musculature.
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Both fighters are captured mid-exchange. Their expressions convey focus and intensity. Joshua’s eyes are closed, suggesting deep concentration, while his punch appears to drive through Ruiz with force and intent. Ruiz, mouth open, embodies exertion and determination.
The word “Destroyer” is visible on Ruiz’s shorts – a nod to his nickname, earned through his aggressive, high-output style.
The Roman numeral “II” references the rematch, but also symbolises Joshua’s attempt to rebuild after defeat — mentally as much as physically. The loss had shaken his identity as champion. Here, he appears composed, focused and resolute.
Slone’s brushwork is expressive and energetic. Through colour, movement and symbolism, he transforms a sporting moment into visual history with psychological depth.
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The Artist
Richard T. Slone, a British-born artist now based in Las Vegas, is widely regarded as one of boxing’s foremost painters.
A former protégé of Joe Frazier and a member of the famed Kronk Gym, Slone has served as the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame since 1996.
He has been commissioned for some of the sport’s biggest events, including Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez, Canelo vs Gennadiy Golovkin, and most recently Canelo vs Terence Crawford.
His work has featured on numerous Ring Magazine and Boxing News covers, capturing the drama and emotion of boxing at the highest level.
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Personal Note
I have a personal connection to this painting. I not only own it, but was also present at the fight in Saudi Arabia.
At the time, the experience felt like an adventure. The outdoor weigh-in was sparsely attended compared to other major events, and much of the atmosphere centred around the fighters’ hotel – intense, but intimate.
Shortly before the fight, light rain began to fall. It reminded me of The Rumble in the Jungle, where a heavy downpour followed shortly after the bout.
It’s a trip I will never forget – and this painting remains a vivid reminder of that experience.
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Artwork Details
Ruiz Jr. vs Joshua II Original, 2019 Richard T. Slone Acrylic on canvas 36″ × 40″
Jacob Fatu put an exclamation point on his desire to win the World Heavyweight Championship even as he was pinned in a loss to Roman Reigns at Backlash on Saturday night.
Fatu got that crazed look in his eye after Reigns pulled off the victory. Fatu was shocked and enraged as Reigns’ hand was raised in the win to retain his title. But Fatu made clear that his pursuit of gold and glory wasn’t going to stop at the premium live event.
Jacob Fatu wrestles Roman Reigns during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026.(Kevin Sabitus/WWE/Getty Images)
The “Samoan Werewolf” took his frustrations out on Reigns, Raw general manager Adam Pearce and some of the producers who came out to stop his post-match assault. The attack included Fatu going after the referee, putting the Tongan death grip on Reigns and super-kicking anyone who got in his way.
Reigns got the last word in as he walked up the entrance ramp following the vicious assault.
“This is why we shoulda never let Jacob in this company,” Reigns told Cathy Kelley as he walked to the back. “You don’t belong here, Jacob. There is no order with you. This is your last night here.”
Jacob Fatu celebrates over Roman Reigns during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026.(Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
Reigns and Fatu battled throughout the night with a lot of the “Tribal Chief’s” damage seemingly being ineffective throughout the match. But one key mistake ultimately cost Fatu.
Fatu had Reigns in the Tongan death grip toward the end of the match. Reigns clung onto the referee and exposed a turnbuckle in the process. Reigns was able to thrust Fatu into the exposed turnbuckle and hit a spear.
Reigns pinned Fatu for the win, but it sparked the chaotic scene.
Roman Reigns enters the ring during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026.(Michael Owens/WWE)
Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat. The first battle may have ended between the two, but the war is far from finished.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
The Timberwolves have lost two straight after upsetting the Spurs in Game 1, and forward Julius Randle has struggled on the offensive end of the floor, posting 12 points in each of his past two games. Randle’s recent performances mean he could be a focal point for NBA prop picks on Sunday. Randle finished with 21 points in Minnesota’s victory on May 4, and his over/under for total points scored against San Antonio in Game 4 is 17.5. The SportsLine Projection Model projects he’ll exceed that total against the Spurs, predicting he’ll finish with 20.1 points, and identifies it as one of Sunday’s top NBA player props and NBA best bets today.
For Game 4 of Knicks vs. 76ers, SportsLine NBA expert Doug Kralstein is high on Knicks forward Mikal Bridges to be an effective scorer. Bridges finished with 23 points in his last outing against Philadelphia, and his over/under for points in Game 4 is 15.5. Before locking in Sunday’s NBA prop picks and other NBA bets on betting sites like FanDuel, be sure to check out top picks from the proven computer model and team of experts at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 26-9 roll (74%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at online betting sites and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Top NBA player prop picks on Sunday
Mikal Bridges, Knicks, Over 15.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks, Over 5.5 assists
Julius Randle, Timberwolves, Over 17.5 points
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Mikal Bridges, Knicks, Over 15.5 points
“Mikal Bridges looks like himself, and has been thrust into a role where his touches and shot attempts are up significantly for the Knicks,” SportsLine NBA expert Doug Kralstein said. “With New York leading 3-0, I doubt they have OG Anunoby play, and Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Bridges has served as the scoring complement to Jalen Brunson, the latter of whom will undoubtedly be the focal point of the Sixers defensive adjustments in Game 4.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks, Over 5.5 assists
“We are going to continue riding Karl-Anthony Towns’ assist prop as he is hitting it even in games in which he plays limited minutes due to foul trouble,” SportsLine expert David Bearman said. “KAT has 46 assists over the last six games, an average of 7.7 per game. He has 20 in 3 games in this series, not playing more than 27 minutes in any of the games, due to one blowout and two games with foul issues. Dating back to April 1 (13 games), he is averaging 6.3 a game, hitting 5+ in 9 of the 13 games.”
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Julius Randle, Timberwolves, Over 17.5 points
Randle is coming off back-to-back disappointing performances on offense, scoring 12 points in each of his past two outings against San Antonio. Randle made just 25% of his field goals in the Game 3 loss, but the SportsLine Projection Model is expecting a bounce-back performance on Sunday. Randle averaged 21.1 points per game during the regular season, and scored 21.2 points per game at home. SportsLine’s model projects he’ll finish with 20.1 points on Sunday, easily exceeding the posted total of 17.5.
Echoing the excitement of her remarkable 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory, Pride Of Jenni produced a frontrunning masterclass to dismantle her Hollindale Stakes foes and notch up a superb win.
In Saturday’s premier event at the Gold Coast, the mare unleashed her signature bold style, opening up to roughly 16 lengths clear entering the final 800m and fending off the chasers.
Birdman ($4.20) rallied strongly from midfield to go down by three-quarters of a length to the favourite Pride Of Jenni ($3.30), with She’s A Hustler ($4.60) 2-1/4 lengths adrift in third.
Half Yours ($3.80), winner of the Melbourne Cup, closed well for fourth and ran with plenty of promise.
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Ciaron Maher, the mare’s victorious trainer, was full of praise for Pride Of Jenni after opting to freshen her following fifth in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick a month ago, building on her Melbourne near-misses in the All-Star Mile (1600m) and Australian Cup (2000m).
“I was mindful she had three very tough runs and given how well she went first-up, the only thing you can do is over-train her,” Maher said.
“We’ve just kept her fresh and when she stepped well, you know pretty quick whether you’re on. I thought, oh, that was nice, we might be on today.
“The track – you’d think the Gold Coast would suit her style – and it certainly did.”
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The trainer also lauded jockey Declan Bates for his expert navigation of the eight-year-old, establishing rhythm upfront and preserving her well.
“She is sprinting flat out from the 1000. She is used to doing that, being off the bridle a long way out, but super from ‘Dec’ (Bates),” Maher said.
“She is just a marvel. Have a look at her, she is just a beautiful mare, and she’s got a great constitution.”
During last winter’s Queensland campaign, Pride Of Jenni competed once, fading in the Doomben Cup (2000m).
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According to Maher, that Group 1 is targeted once more, with sharper condition anticipated.
“She looks in better form this year,” he said.
The Hollindale Stakes (1800m) continues to signal Doomben Cup prospects effectively, evidenced by Antino’s double last year and Zaaki’s in 2021.
In rare heavyweight fights like Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, all the traditional safety measures can get lost in the drama and savagery of the night.
The corner, the referee and the doctors are ringside in boxing to make sure the fighters leave the ring healthy. But on Saturday night on the outskirts of Manchester, close to midnight at the Co-op Live arena, 18,212 fanatics played their part in an unforgettable fight that crossed several of the sport’s boundaries.
It was a bloodthirsty Saturday-night crowd, and they packed the new arena in anticipation of something special, something memorable, and something brutal – they got all three. The WBO heavyweight title was just a trinket attraction.
Wardley was rescued after 28 seconds of the 11th round, and Dubois was hauled away to celebrate the win; it was the end of a fight that took both men to the very extremes in a boxing business where total sacrifice does happen. Wardley against Dubois on Saturday had that feeling very early. It was not always easy to watch, but it was also impossible to look away.
The raw statistics are impressive enough, but they fail to tell the whole story; Dubois was down after 12 seconds of the first round, and again in the third. He survived on stiff legs and with petrified eyes. Wardley started to take a beating from about round six; the referee, Howard Foster, called the doctors up onto the ring canvas to inspect him at the start of the ninth and 10th rounds.
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Wardley dropped Daniel Dubois twice in the first three rounds (Reuters)
Wardley’s corner looked worried, but still he walked out at the start of each round for more. Wardley was cut, hurt, staggered repeatedly, and both eyes were closing – and still he kept swinging; Wardley has come back in fights he was losing before. That is his trademark, his signature in the boxing rings.
Saturday, however, was different. It was a lost cause and he was too damaged for a fairytale finish. Dubois was smart, accurate and hurtful. And still the crowd roared louder when the medics gave Wardley a clear to continue sign. That is raw, that is fanatical. Yes, it did feel Iike a barbaric fight to the end.
It is far too easy and convenient from the safe side of the ropes to condemn the brutality, too easy to find flaws with the outcome. In the boxing business, the fighters make those ridiculous sacrifices and people get dragged in – the corner, the ref, the doctors, the opposite team, and the wild-eyed paying public.
A ringside doctor (left) and referee Howard Foster checked on Wardley before rounds nine and 10 (Getty)
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On a calmer night, with less at stake, the fight would have ended earlier. On Saturday night, it finished only when Wardley was close to collapse, helpless in defence and still resisting. It was a stunning last stand and that is how some of our greatest fights end.
Nobody in boxing needs to make apologies for what they signed up for; this business is total. In the ideal world of sport, Wardley would have been rescued earlier, but Saturday’s glorious fight was not part of that “ideal” world; it was part of our heartless, savage, addictive and crazy sport.
Wardley was ultimately stopped in round 11 (Getty)
The Independent’s Alex Pattle – also ringside in Manchester – admitted to feeling equal amounts of intrigue and discomfort in the later rounds. “The boxing fan in me wanted to see more action; the human side wanted an earlier, merciful end for Wardley.”
Working six feet from the canvas for Five Live with Richie Woodhall, we both wanted it stopped in about round nine, but we still urged the pair on as they fought for six more minutes and 28 unforgettable seconds. At 2am, I found Wardley’s blood splatters on my shirt; boxing is like no other bloody business.
Magnolia guard Paul Lee is being guarded by Meralco guard Aaron Black during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After playing sparingly in Magnolia’s crucial win over TNT the last time out, Paul Lee got his rhythm back after helping the Hotshots handle the Meralco Bolts on Sunday.
Lee has coach LA Tenorio to thank for reminding him to take all the rest he needed before Magnolia’s final game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
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“I just took some rest and it was a big thing that after last game, we had a couple days of rest so I just took advantage,” he said after the 93-76 rout of Meralco. “I give credit to coach LA because he always reminded me to rest.”
The NBA Draft Lottery will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago on Sunday, as the Golden State Warriors hope for some good fortune. With the team in need of change, their draft position could significantly shape the franchise’s future, making this a crucial night for Golden State.
An X (formerly Twitter) user deliberated over their position in the draft on Saturday, claiming the Warriors would likely receive the first four picks.
Thanks for the submission!
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“They’re so obviously getting a top 4 pick tmrw,” the handle wrote.
•
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The remark came in response to Steve Kerr signing a two-year extension, as the franchise aims to complete a quick rebuild and contend for another title during Stephen Curry’s tenure.
However, while the fan suggested Kerr’s extension could coincide with favorable lottery luck, the reality is not that straightforward.
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Having qualified for the play-in tournament, the Warriors were part of the postseason picture, which limits their lottery odds. They hold just 14 combinations, giving them a 2% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.
Their odds increase only marginally for the next three selections, resulting in a maximum 2.8% chance of securing a top-four pick.
Based on the probabilities, the Warriors are most likely to receive the 11th pick, with a 77.6% chance. However, the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 overall pick last year despite having just a 1.8% chance, proving that while the odds are slim, it is not impossible.
The draft lottery will begin at 2:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on ABC, while viewers can also livestream the event on the FUBO TV app.
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Warriors could trade lottery pick if they land a top-four selection per reports
The Golden State Warriors’ failure to reach the playoffs earned them a spot in this year’s Draft Lottery, as the team hopes for favorable odds. While landing a top-four pick would be the best-case scenario for Golden State, reports on Saturday suggested the team could trade the pick to secure a stronger deal elsewhere.
Danny Emerman was the first to raise this possibility, explaining the Warriors’ plans to make an aggressive push to build around Steph Curry.
“Golden State could consider flipping the pick in a blockbuster trade for a proven star,” Emerman wrote. “A top-four pick would instantly become both the franchise’s juiciest trade asset and its best chance at bridging the end of this era with whatever comes next.”
The Warriors are in desperate need of a rebuild, but will require some luck in the lottery for things to go according to plan.
Macklin Celebrini has earned another distinct honour as he prepares to lead his country at the IIHF world hockey championship.
Hockey Canada announced Sunday that the San Jose Sharks star will be the team’s captain for the tournament, while John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly will serve as the alternates.
Celebrini captured a silver medal with Canada at the Olympics in Milan, registering five goals and 10 points in six games. He became the youngest player to play at the Olympics and tied Jarome Iginla for the most goals scored by a Canadian at a tournament with NHL participation.
Tavares has represented Canada four times at the world championship, and has 16 goals and 25 points in 22 games. He was the captain in 2024 when Canada lost in the bronze-medal game to Sweden, finishing fourth overall.
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O’Reilly will be making his sixth appearance at the world championships. He won back-to-back gold medals with Canada in 2015 and 2016, along with a silver medal in 2018.
The tournament in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, takes place from May 15 to 31.
Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev seem ready to move on from each other. The energy heading into UFC 328 was incredibly hostile. Post-fight, they found closure despite the narrow scorecards.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: there’s no need for a rematch. Chimaev vs. Strickland was built on their deep disdain for each other. Once the fight started, that hatred melted away. Chimaev gleefully wrapped the title around Strickland after an unmemorable fight. Furthermore, despite being undefeated, Chimaev didn’t notch a single title defense. Fortunately, there are opportunities on the horizon that are more exciting than they first appear.
Strickland is one of the best underdog fighters in MMA. He’s upset Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Anthony Hernandez, Brendan Allen and Nassourdine Imavov. Speaking of Imavov, he’s the rightful No. 1 contender with a lot of animosity towards the new champ.
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is a breath of fresh air in the division. His all-action style has already produced several memorable fights. He has a chance to elevate the often-overlooked weight class with plenty of dance partners.
There’s finally room to breathe after one of the tensest builds in UFC history. Breathe in, breathe out and take a look at the fights worth making after UFC 328.
Middleweight
Sean Strickland (c) vs. Nassourdine Imavov: Strickland’s win is the best thing for Imavov. UFC already passed over Imavov in favor of the bigger box office attraction. Furthermore, Chimaev didn’t want to fight someone from the Caucasus. Strickland and Imavov have legitimate beef dating back to 2023. Strickland beat Imavov in a short-notice light heavyweight main event. Imavov hasn’t been shy about how much he dislikes Strickland or how badly he wants the rematch. There’s ammo for a feud, and it’s legitimately the best worthy fight.
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Light Heavyweight
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa: Chimaev told UFC CEO Dana White after the fight that he wants to move up to 205 pounds and White acknowledged that it’s an exciting proposition. With that said, there’s a lot of uncertainty at light heavyweight right now. The current champ, Carlos Ulberg, is on the mend for at least six months with a torn ACL. The No. 1 ranked fighter, Magomed Ankalaev, would likely turn down a fight with a fellow countryman. No. 2, Alex Pereira, is moving up to heavyweight. And No. 3, Jiri Prochazka, was just knocked out by Ulberg. You could put Chimaev in with Prochazka for pure chaos, but Costa seems like a more doable proposition. Costa just recently moved up as well and probably needs at least one more fight before being considered title fight material. Chimaev gets to take on a brutal striker where he can test out how his game translates up 20 pounds in weight.
Flyweight
Joshua Van (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja: The current and former champ have unfinished business. Van rightfully won the title, but wasn’t definitively the better man. Pantoja suffered a fight-ending arm injury after being pushed over. After UFC 328, there’s no denying Van is a world-class fighter. The rematch will be bigger than the first go. Between Van’s defensive skills and Pantoja’s durability, there’s good reason to think it’ll live up to Van vs. Taira.
Tatsuro Taira vs. Manel Kape or Kyoji Horiguchi: Taira elevated himself in defeat. Everyone respected his skill, but few comprehended his toughness. Van nearly knocked him out in Rounds 2 and 3. Remarkably, Taira endured and likely won Round 4. Next month, Horiguchi and Kape headline UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The winner will knock on the door of a title shot. The loser will need an opponent. Either matchup is great, but taking Taira vs. Horiguchi to Japan is a no-brainer.
Heavyweight
Alexander Volkov vs. Alex Pereira or Ciryl Gane: Volkov is in an unfortunate and undeserved position. He should have fought for the heavyweight title after a 2024 loss to Gane, widely considered a robbery. Now he’s stuck waiting for the dust to settle. Pereira and Gane will fight for the interim heavyweight title at Freedom 250 in June. The winner is expected to unify with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. There are two best-case scenarios for Volkov: replacing an injured party on June 14 or challenging the interim champ if Aspinall isn’t cleared to fight. Otherwise, Volkov is stuck with scraps.
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Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes: Cortes Acosta has work to do after losing a potential title eliminator. Several newer heavyweights are rising through the ranks. The division needs a facelift, so it’s best to avoid having new contenders fight each other. Blaydes is coming off a high-profile loss to Josh Hokit in one of the all-time best heavyweight fights. There’s a valuable scalp to collect in either direction.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Thanks largely to an impressive outing from young starting pitcher Chase Burns, the host Cincinnati Reds snapped their longest losing streak since 2024 with a win Saturday over the Houston Astros and now seek a series win in Sunday’s rubber game.
Left-hander Andrew Abbott (1-2, 5.13 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Reds on Sunday. He carried a shutout into the sixth inning of his previous start but did not factor into the decision of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, allowing four hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
Abbott has just one decision in his last four starts, going 1-0 with a 4.43 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings. He has faced the Astros once. He tossed six scoreless innings in a 2-1 road win June 16, 2023, allowing four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in his third career start.
In his 16th career start, Burns limited Houston to one run on four hits and three walks over six innings in a 3-1 win, one day after the Astros slugged out a 10-0 victory in the series opener.
In addition to Burns’ strong start, three Cincinnati relievers covered the final nine outs without allowing a baserunner, with Pierce Johnson earning his first save with a perfect ninth inning.
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“Honestly, that was a big win for the team,” Johnson said. “We’ve been going through it on this last road trip. We needed one right there, so I’m glad I could come through and help us out a little bit.”
On the heels of another impressive road offensive display that featured four different batters recording home runs, the Astros were handcuffed by Burns, who earned the praise of Houston manager Joe Espada.
“He’s tough,” Espada said of Burns. “We didn’t do a very good job of not chasing that slider. He really kept us off balance and threw us off our plan.
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“Credit to their pitching. They did a nice job. They quieted down one of the best offenses in the game.”
Houston wasted a solid start from right-hander Spencer Arrighetti and a combined 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief from Enyel De Los Santos, Steven Okert and Bryan Abreu. The Astros were unable to solve Burns’ mostly two-pitch repertoire of four-seam fastballs and sliders.
Kai-Wei Teng (1-1, 1.80) will make his 14th appearance and second start, with a bulk pitcher likely to follow for the Astros. The right-hander started against the Baltimore Orioles on April 28 and allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in three innings.
In his last appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, Teng allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings of relief. Teng has made eight starts in 26 career appearances. He will make his first appearance against the Reds.
Two digits on a ping pong ball bouncing the right way is all it took to change the entire mood of a fanbase. A season filled with frustrations, bad decisions and disappointment for the Toronto Maple Leafs is melting away like the last remnants of snow on a warm spring day. Now, hope, optimism and enthusiasm fill the air, as the Leafs will have their pick of any player they like in the upcoming 2026 draft.
It’s something the team desperately needed. Toronto’s cupboards are bare. It wasn’t going to have a first-round selection for two of the next three years, and the future of Auston Matthews remains unclear. John Chayka noted how he and Mats Sundin were going to have to catch a moving train, and even though the draft lottery win doesn’t solve everything, it’s definitely given them a titanic boost.
Having the No. 1 pick also means the Leafs have choices and more flexibility. It’s a highly coveted selection, and while the obvious choice to most is to draft Gavin McKenna and not think twice, Chayka and Sundin could look for creative ways to utilize it and fill more holes on the roster.
Maple Leafs should explore trades, drafting someone other than Gavin McKenna
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One of the most obvious needs for the Leafs is on the blue line, as they’ve been lacking a true No. 1 defenceman for, well, decades really. Had they simply kept the fifth pick, that’s likely the path they would’ve gone down, since there are a few talented blue-liners at the top of this draft. That said, could Toronto move down a few slots in a trade that includes a few other assets and still grab a high-end player like Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff on the back end?
There’s also a possibility the Leafs could consider trading the pick for multiple assets that could help them today. Would the St. Louis Blues consider moving Robert Thomas and the 11th overall pick, for example, for the right to the top selection? Thomas was on the block at the deadline but ultimately stayed put. We know the Leafs want to get back into the playoff mix immediately, and getting a quality, established centre would certainly help the cause.
Plus, Chayka’s resume shows he isn’t afraid to move high picks. While with the Arizona Coyotes, Chayka flipped the seventh overall pick for Derek Stepan. That was a bad swap, but it does point to the fact Chayka is willing to get aggressive with top-10 picks.
There’s also the possibility that the Leafs could keep the pick and draft someone other than McKenna. If there’s a defenceman they really covet, they could choose to take him at one, or they could look at another forward. Some value Ivar Stenberg ahead of McKenna and Caleb Malhotra, who plays centre, wouldn’t be far behind. Toronto has plenty of options worth considering.
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There are some scenarios where it would make sense for the Leafs to consider doing something other than drafting McKenna, but making him their selection gives them the player with the highest upside, and it’s also what’s best long-term.
You can’t assume McKenna is going to have the same impact as a teenager like Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer did, but it really does feel like his ceiling is the highest in his class. He’s still going to be able to step in right away and play in Toronto’s top six, taking care of one hole the Leafs needed to address. McKenna would also instantly help a power play that has struggled to find consistency since Mitch Marner departed.
There are also only a handful of trade scenarios that would make sense to pass up for someone with McKenna’s potential. The talent level of players really drops once you get out of the top five in most drafts, so trading down wouldn’t be worth it unless you’re getting a handful of other assets. If you wanted to look at moving it for an established NHLer or two, they would have to be elite talents, and few teams would probably dangle those in this situation.
The Leafs also need to prepare for the scenario that this retool may not work. What if they are sitting in 11th or 12th in the East at the midway point of the season, and Auston Matthews decides he doesn’t want to extend? You’d almost certainly be heading towards a rebuild at that point, and it would be much better to start that off by building around someone like McKenna.
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There will definitely be tempting opportunities for the Maple Leafs to consider regarding this No. 1 pick, but the safest and smartest play is to take McKenna.
The Lightning have major questions to address this off-season
It’s hard to believe a team as talented as the Tampa Bay Lightning has now exited the playoffs in the opening round four years in a row. The Lightning were close to breaking the streak against the Montreal Canadiens, but they came up short, and many of the issues from past years resurfaced. Andrei Vasilevskiy was really good for stretches, although he ultimately finished with a save percentage below .900 for the fourth consecutive post-season. As for Nikita Kucherov, he’s still factoring in on the scoresheet, though he’s tallied just two goals in Tampa’s past four playoff series. Kucherov is also now pointless in seven career Game 7s.
The majority of the Lightning’s core is 30 or older, and Darren Raddysh will be a UFA after a breakout season. Tampa is facing more questions this off-season than ever before, and if it doesn’t address them, its contention window could start shrinking quickly.
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Raddysh’s situation looms largest for Tampa, as the emerging blue liner scored 70 points last season, and that offence would be hard to replace if he walks out the door. Retaining him would come with risk, though. Raddysh is likely looking for a massive raise on the $975K he made this year, and handing out big dollars with significant term for a 30-year-old with only one good offensive year could backfire. If he leaves, Victor Hedman would likely take back the power-play duties, though the unit could suffer without Raddysh.
When it comes to Vasilevskiy, Tampa may have to finally invest in a more capable No. 2 option to reduce the former Conn Smythe winner’s regular-season minutes. Vasilevskiy will turn 32 in July and has played a ton of hockey over the past several seasons, so prioritizing keeping him fresh for the playoffs going forward will be paramount. Jonas Johansson has handled the backup duties for the past three seasons, though the Lightning haven’t really been able to trust him. With the cap going up, it could be beneficial to invest in someone capable of playing 30-35 games to lighten Vasilevskiy’s workload a little.
The Lightning may have to target a centre, too. Brayden Point is one of the best in the business, but after him, things really drop off from an offensive perspective. Anthony Cirelli was nominated for the Selke this year, though his offence is on the low end for a top-six centre. Tampa and Kucherov are easier to defend without another high-end offensive pivot on their top two lines. It’s easier said than done, of course, but if it could add a centre who could make it more threatening in the offensive zone, Tampa would become more balanced and tougher to match up against.
General manager Julien BriseBois may not be able to tackle everything on his wish list. However, I’d argue that if he doesn’t upgrade in a couple of areas, it’s going to be tough for Tampa to compete with the younger up-and-coming teams in the East.
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Mitch Marner has shed the narrative he can’t come through in the clutch
There is no denying Mitch Marner is a fabulous player and one of the best at his craft, but many, especially Leafs fans, will point to his shortcomings in the playoffs. At first glance, Marner’s playoff numbers in Toronto look good, though he did most of his damage earlier in a playoff series. The 29-year-old scored just once in a Game 5, 6 or 7 during his time with the Maple Leafs across nine playoff appearances. In this go-around with Vegas, though, things are starting off on a much better foot.
Marner scored twice in Game 6 versus Utah in the opening round, including the game-winning goal that sent the Mammoth home. He looks more comfortable this post-season without the weight of carrying several playoff disappointments like he did in a hockey-mad market in Toronto, and was dominant Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks, scoring a hat trick. Let’s also not overlook a couple of massive overtime goals he tallied for Team Canada at the 4 Nations and Olympics. Perhaps Marner has put the narrative that he can’t produce in the clutch behind him.
Marner has certainly been impressive for the Golden Knights so far this spring, but it’s still early. There’s a lot of hockey yet to be played, and one clutch outing in the first round against a first-time playoff team won’t completely erase the memories of past post-seasons. That said, the fact that Marner is playing a new position at times, and the most critical one on the ice for skaters, for that matter, while elevating a player like Brett Howden deserves a lot of praise. He’s given Vegas a lot more versatility and flexibility in its forward group. That could propel the Golden Knights on a deep run, where Marner would get more opportunities to deliver in the clutch and silence his critics once and for all.
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What Frederik Andersen is doing this post-season is really incredible. The Carolina Hurricanes netminder has conceded just 10 goals in eight games thus far, barely giving up more than an average of a goal per game. Andersen’s save percentage is also sitting at .950, which is a massive increase from his regular-season number. The 36-year-old didn’t have a strong campaign, posting just an .874 save percentage with a goals against average of over three. This unexpected surge in play from Andersen has powered the Canes to an 8-0 record in the playoffs, as Carolina looks like it’s going to steamroll through the East. Even though there’s still more than two rounds to go, it really does feel like the Conn Smythe Trophy is Andersen’s to lose at this point.
There are some others that have really stepped up this post-season, but none are on the level of Andersen. Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy have all been excellent for the Minnesota Wild, but they are trailing the Colorado Avalanche in their series, and none have been so exceptional to unseat Andersen. Nathan MacKinnon and Jackson LaCombe have a case as well, although I don’t think you could argue either has been as far ahead of his peers as Andersen is. Goalies often end up winning the award, and it’s hard to believe Andersen wouldn’t claim it if this keeps up and Carolina goes on to win it all.
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