Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke birthed one of the greatest British level rivalries in recent years when they met back on Easter Sunday but their fight last weekend was far more one-sided. Now, Ben Shalom has revealed his suspicion regarding Wardley’s gloves and a spokesperson for the British Boxing Board of Control has provided on update on the situation.
‘Big Fraze’ battled to a hard-fought draw when he met British heavyweight champion Wardley earlier in the year and a similar encounter was anticipated to take place in Riyadh, as the highlight of the Beterbiev-Bivol undercard.
Yet, Wardley instead delivered an emphatic first-round knockout that left the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist dented both mentally and physically – requiring surgery as a consequence of the damage dealt by the undefeated champion.
During the aftermath, Clarke’s promoter Ben Shalom has prolonged his recently intensified animosity with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions by suggesting that there may have been foul play, bringing the legitimacy of Wardley’s gloves and victory into disrepute.
Speaking with The Sun, Warren responded to Shalom’s ‘disrespectful’ claims and revealed that Wardley’s gloves were checking during a recorded meeting the day before the fight.
“Frazer was a gentleman all week and has praised Fabio’s brilliant performance.
“The only person who has mentioned any suggestion of impropriety is Ben.
“It’s a disgrace Shalom has tried to tarnish Fabio’s win and reputation with such a dangerous suggestion.
“The British Boxing Board of Control checks and approves all gloves at the Friday meeting – which is filmed these days – and no issues were raised.
“I will be taking Shalom to the Board for bringing the sport into disrepute with this libellous allegation and questioning the integrity of the Board and everybody involved in the Riyadh show.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the BBBofC has informed The Sun that Shalom’s comments regarding an ongoing investigation are false.
“There is no investigation. The gloves were approved.”
With any uncertainty regarding his win now removed, Wardley is hopeful of building on the momentum of his most impressive performance and securing a big name opponent in the near-future.
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