British title hopeful, Frazer Clarke, has spoken out after the collapse of his proposed challenge for Fabio Wardley’s Lonsdale Belt.
Clarke seem poised to face Wardley, possibly at Portman Road, in what would have comfortably been the biggest payday and opportunity of his career. That was until his promoter, Ben Shalom, pulled him out of the purse bids for the fight.
Shalom argued that Clarke needed more rounds under his belt before challenging for the British and was puzzled at why purse bids were called.
In an interview with iFL TV, Clarke shared his confusion as to why the fight was ordered so soon after he was announced as the mandatory challenger. He also revealed that how things played out did affect him initially, but that he’d gotten over the frustration.
“He was only just champion at the time, for ten weeks or something, so we thought we would have a bit more time. In that time, I was going to fight, firstly on June 10th, so we didn’t think that it was going to be a problem, but obviously they did [called] it within four days. Then, if Matchroom win the purse bids, we have an issue because I have got a fight pencilled in already.”
“It’s all good, so long as me and Fabio ending up fighting for the British title. If not, then I’m probably going to go on a bit of an angry spree.”
“Let’s not beat around the bush, I don’t think they want me to box on DAZN.”
“You can either let it make you or break you, and for a few days it broke me, I was all over the place. In training camp, in my room, really p***ed off, but now I’m alright.”
Instead, Clarke will face former world title challenger, Mariusz Wach, on June 16, an opponent who he claims is ‘tougher than any domestic fight, despite his age.’
The bout will take place on the undercard of Adam Azim’s clash with Aram Faniian at York Hall, and will be available to watch live on Sky Sports.