Ben Shalom has spoken following news that Frazer Clarke was pulled out of the purse bid process to face Fabio Wardley for the British Heavyweight title.
The British Boxing Board of Control satisfied fans by ordering the bout following a back and forth between Wardley and Clarke on social media.
With purse bids set for Wednesday May 10, there was considerable hype for the contest and fans were eager to see how big their respective promotional companies – Matchroom for Wardley and BOXXER for Clarke – would go to back their man.
The result never came, with Eddie Hearn taking to Twitter just minutes before the bids were due to announce his disgust at Shalom’s BOXXER ‘pulling their fighter out’ of the process.
Shalom has now spoken to Sky Sports to give his side of the story, believing his man needs more experience before a quick turnaround domestic title fight – but is aiming to make the fight this year.
โHe’s had six fights, he fought a collective of 16 rounds, he needs experience of going the distance.
Why the purse bids were called, I don’t know. The outrage for me is fabricated.
We want him to have him that fight this year, perhaps September. It was 100% the right decision and we stand firmly behind it.โ
"๐ ๐ซ๐๐ณ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ… ๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ"๐
Ben Shalom says Frazer Clarke could still face Fabio Wardley in September, and just needs one ten round contest first๐ช pic.twitter.com/xYMIyS2GVC
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 11, 2023
Clarke hasn’t spoken publicly on the situation as of writing, but is understood to be deflated by how things have played out.
He’s due to return to the ring on June 10 against 5-3 heavyweight, Harry Armstrong. The numbers of rounds haven’t been specified, but Armstrong’s last outing – a loss – was set over eight.