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.

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.

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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.

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.

“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.”

READ:

‘MAGIGING READY KAMI’

Magnolia’s Paul Lee and coach LA Tenorio talk about their playoff position for the #PBA50 Comms. Cup quarterfinals. @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/AjASX2l4na

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) May 10, 2026

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Lee was shaken up during a rebound play against the Tropang 5G, exiting the game after just 23 minutes of action and finishing with only four points.

Against Meralco, the veteran guard posted 13 points, three rebounds and three assists as Magnolia extended its winning streak to three games.

Thanks to Lee’s efforts, Magnolia locked up the fifth seed and will face either Meralco or Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.

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.

“They’re so obviously getting a top 4 pick tmrw,” the handle wrote.

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.

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.

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.