Frazer Clarke Reveals Heavyweight Rematch With Fabio Wardley Is ‘Agreed’
British heavyweight Frazer Clarke has revealed a rematch with Fabio Wardley has been “agreed” following their epic draw earlier this year.
Clarke (8-0-1 6 KO) and Wardley (17-0-1 16 KO) contested an all-time British heavyweight classic at the O2 Arena in London, sharing a split-decision draw in March.
Clarke, an experienced and accomplished amateur, weathered an early storm from the raw and powerful Wardley and survived a fifth-round knockdown, before coming on strong in the second half of the bout as his superior skills shone through. The clash of styles made for a thrilling fight and after it was called a draw, demand for the rematch was high.
Neither fighter has contested a bout since, both taking some well-earned rest, and now Clarke has claimed the second fight all British fight fans want to see is close to being confirmed.
“It’s agreed and it’s on, I’m always getting asked on the street when is the rematch happening, I can’t give that information yet but we are back on and you’ll get the news very soon,” Clarke told Sky Sports.
“I hope it goes like clockwork but this is heavyweight boxing and it’s me, my career is always up and down, it’s been crazy from the get go. We can hope for it to go swimmingly but it’s a heavyweight title fight and there’s always drama.”
The contrasting journeys of Clarke and Wardley had made for an interesting narrative before the first fight and were brought into sharp focus during the bout.
Clarke is a product of the Team GB amateur boxing program, which shaped him into one of the best super-heavyweights on the planet, winning plenty of prestigious medals including bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. As such, the 33-year-old is a polished fighter with skill and technique.
Wardley, meanwhile, turned professional with no amateur experience; his only non-pro fights were a handful of white-collar boxing events, instead learning on the job and relying on his power and imposing physique to bulldoze his way to the British, Commonwealth, and European titles.
While dates and venues are yet to be announced, the three titles will once again be on the line in the rematch.
“I take a lot of confidence into it, I think I did a good job first time, there’s room for improvement but I’ve had more experience and I believe in myself a lot more,” Clarke said. “I’m going in there to do one thing and that’s to knock Fabio Wardley out, winning won’t be enough for me.
“I want to put a job on him, but it will be a tough task just like the first one. May the best man win, but I’m backing myself. I grew respect for Fabio after that first fight so I have no trash talk, I think you see two competitors that just want to get the best out of each other and get their hands raised. Message to the fans is to tune in and enjoy it when it happens.”
