Frazer Clarke has given his first reaction to the fall out from the British Heavyweight title purse bid that never was.
Clarke was ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to challenge Fabio Wardley for his title, won last November against Nathan Gorman.
Plenty of back and forth on social media, as well as an intriguing promotional rivalry between Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom – for Wardley – and Ben Shalom’s BOXXER – Clarke – set up one of the most hyped domestic purse bids of recent memory.
Minutes before it was due to take place, Hearn announced that BOXXER had pulled their man out of proceedings. Shalom later said they wanted the fight, but on their terms.
There has been plenty of talk in the wake of the decision, but one man who’s stayed silent and deleted social media is Clarke. He spoke exclusively to Boxing Social about the situation.
“I’ve had easier weeks, let’s put it that way – but I’m an innocent party in this. I’m the guy that wanted the fight.”
Clarke – as many fans are already aware – reinforced his status as a game fighter who was up for the challenge, before acknowledging that his team perhaps weren’t so on board.
“I was confident in myself obviously. There’s a lot of speculation about other people not being confident in me, but it is what it is. I know what I’m capable of. I always back myself no matter who I’m fighting. It was no different with Fabio.”
Finally, the Olympic Bronze Medalist and 6-0 pro confirmed he was still interested in the fight at a later date – even managing a dig at his rival.
“At the minute it’s not to be. I think, for the sake of the fans, let’s hope it gets sorted. It’s a bigger fight now, so hopefully we do get in the ring at some point, and I’m definitely willing to do that.”
“I can understand his frustrations. I’m now very frustrated. Obviously he’s on the wind up on socials, he’s got some great editing skills – probably better than his boxing skills to be fair.”
Clarke said his fight set for June 10 at York Hall has now been pushed back to the following week, and has confirmed that his opponent will not be the much-speculated Harry Armstrong.