The modern classic between Wardley and Clarke is set for a definitive ending in Saudi this Saturday
Fight fans are in for a treat this Saturday as Wardley and Clarke run it back
A stacked card in Saudi Arabia on October 12 sees headliners Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev clash in the main event to hopefully crown the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
Supported by the likes of Jai Opetaia and Chris Eubank Jr, the DAZN pay-per-view event is sure to reach big viewing figures on the 285th day of the year.
However, fans of the British heavyweight scene will not be disappointed either.
After an explosive first fight, in March this year, unbeaten rivals Fabio Wardley (17-0-1, 16KO) and Frazer Clarke (8-0-1, 6KO) are set to lock horns once again, both seeking redemption after their original meeting culminated in a draw, which up to 750,000 viewers tuned in to watch.
Wardley’s British belt is the line, an prize which could see the winner pushed on upwards to European and even world level next.
29 from Ipswich, Wardley has enjoyed a more illustrious professional career so far, making his debut first, back in 2017, almost five years before ‘Big Fraze’.
Wardley was a revelation, winning his first contest on points then scoring 16 straight knockouts, despite only experiencing four white-collar bouts before turning pro.
His biggest victory came against unbeaten David Adeleye in October 2023, knocking out the Londoner in round seven to retain the BBBofC Lonsdale belt that he had won 11 months prior against highly-rated Nathan Gorman.
He added the vacant Commonwealth crown and Adeleye’s WBO European belt with that victory too.
With 16 stoppages in 17 wins, the Ipswich-born fighter is heavy-handed and has a knack for ending a fight on a moment’s notice.
Often fighting on the front foot, Wardley’s constant pressure creates openings in the defence of his counterparts, which, time and time again, the 19-year-old has been quick to take action on.
Clarke, on the other hand, is far newer to the professional game. His first contest came against Jake Darnell in 2022. Since then the Brit has racked up eight wins without a single defeat to his name.
A seasoned amateur, the 32-year-old represented Great Britain at the 2020 Summer Olympics, bringing back a bronze medal from Tokyo.
The heavyweight pair’s first meeting will go down as a modern classic. 12 rounds of back-and-forth action saw Wardley look the more beaten up, with a nasty cut opened across the bridge of his nose.
While Wardley enjoyed the only knockdown of the contest, sending Clarke to the canvas in the fifth, yet it still wasn’t enough to secure him the victory.
Taking place only 195 days earlier this year, their first match is already being touted as one of the greatest British heavyweight title fights of all time, with all eyes now keenly looking to the rematch.
Betting Odds
Wardley 4/6
Draw 12/1
Clarke 11/8
Prediction
Looking back at the first fight, Clarke was unlucky to come away without a victory.
The 33-year-old won the majority of the rounds, and if it wasn’t for hitting the canvas in the fifth, it would’ve been tricky to score the fight any other way than in favour of the challenger.
This time around, I think it will be more of the same. Clarke showcased a superior boxing ability and will likely look to capitalise on this strength once again.
‘Big Fraze’ appeared the more disciplined of the two, happy to shell up and wait out Wardley’s swinging combinations, setting up his counters.
On Saturday, Clarke’s experience against Wardley should allow him to better counter the champion’s erratic flurries and swing the fight heavily in his favour early on in the contest.
It would be foolish to overlook Wardley’s heart and constant pressing, and it will likely be an enthralling contest once again.
However, I think Clarke’s boxing brain will prevail, leading to a late stoppage or points victory for the Staffordshire fighter.