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Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke ends in a contentious draw, following a thrilling fight for the British and Commonwealth title.
Fans were treated to an Easter Bank Holiday thriller between the two undefeated heavyweights Fabio Wardley (17-0-1) and Frazer Clarke (8-0-1) on Sunday night. The fight ended in a well fought draw, with both fighters having a case to take the win. The build up to the fight saw both fighters trade insults, with Wardley accusing Clarke of ducking a fight following his withdrawal from the purse bids in 2023. Clarke also disregarding Wardley as an opponent and his lack of amateur experience.
Wardley Retains British Title
Wardley managed to retain his British title along with his Commonwealth title, following a bloody battle with Clarke. Much had been said in the build-up to the fight regarding the vast difference in experience between the pair. Wardley reportedly won four White Collar boxing events before leaping into the professional ranks. Unlike his counterpart Frazer Clarke who won Olympic Bronze in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The opening of the fight saw both fighters take a steady first round, before Wardley who appeared to be sporting an injury to his nose before the fight started came storming out for the second round. Backing the challenger up with heavy shots, before Clarke fired back with heavy shots of his own. The third round saw Wardley come away with a bloodied nose, after several well placed uppercuts from the Bronze medallist. After much of the same in the fourth round. Wardley sent Clarke to the canvas for the first time in his professional career in the fifth round. Clarke beat the count and was happy to see out what was left of the round.
Round six saw another slugfest between the two with Wardley appearing to have the upper hand. Frazer Clarke was docked another point in the seventh round, following a low-blow on the champion. With the knockdown and the points deduction, the cards appeared to be in the Champions favour. But with the challenger determined to take the belts home, Frazer piled on the pressure.
The Conclusion
Round eight and nine saw both fighters put it all on the line. But with a bloodied and bruised Wardley looking more battle weary then his challenger, Clarke continued marching throwing every thing he could at the Champion. With the momentum gaining towards the challenger, Wardley gave a last hoorah in the twelfth round. But it was not convincing enough to gain the nod from all three judges.
The final bell rang for the blockbuster of a fight. Fabio’s corner immediately putting his hands in the air to claim the win. Whilst Frazer Clarke almost fell out of the ring as he slumped into the ropes with exhaustion. With one judge giving both the fighters the win and the third scoring the fight a draw. Wardley retained his titles in what truly was a battle for the ages and a early contender for fight of the year.
What’s next for fighters is currently unclear. Whilst a rematch between the pair being the most obvious route for both fighters, Wardley told Sky Sports “It doesn’t have to be immediate. It doesn’t have to be at all, necessarily. I still have the belts. I still move forward. Again the balls still in court. It’s still my decision.”
The Undercard:
Chief support for the card saw Albanian fighter Florian Marku take on London’s own Chris Kongo. Kongo got the nod on all three of the judges cards, to earn himself a Unanimous Decision win over Marku. A good result fort he welterweight contender who was last seen in a boxing ring back in January 2023.
Exciting middleweight prospect Callum Simpson, returned to knockout ways following a brutal knockout of the durable Dulla Mbabe. Viddal Riley took on challenger Mikael Lawal for the English cruiserweight title. With an intriguing build up between the pair, fans were left disappointed following a lacklustre fight between the London rivals. With Riley retaining his belt via unanimous decision after spending most fight the fight on the back foot, picking off Lawal as he came forward. A post fight interview saw Isaac Chamberlain callout Riley, which was quickly interrupted by Matchroom fighter Chev Clarke before the interview was cut short.
Rising prospect Ben Whittaker took on Leon Willings, in an right 8 rounder. Whittaker dropping his opponents on his way to a points victory. With his now expected showboating style. Before the Bell, Saw the return of Alen Babic, following his world title defeat last year. He fought Britain’s own Steve Robinson. The fight itself was a devastating display from the “Savage,” who from round two was hitting the Brit at will. The referee saving him from any further and potential permanent damage in the sixth round.
Do you want to see an immediate rematch? Let us know in the comments below!
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