British heavyweight rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke have given their predictions as to when they believe that their upcoming fight will end, following the official announcement of their bout for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.
Clarke was expected to face Wardley around nine months ago, in what would have been Wardley’s first defence of the Lonsdale belt.
However, in controversial fashion, Clarke’s promoter Ben Shalom advised him against the fight, explaining that he needs more rounds in the bank before taking a contest of such magnitude.
“Big Fraze’ obliged and received a heap of backlash from both Wardley and the fans for pulling out of the purse bids and turning down the opportunity to fight for the title.
Although, during the rest of 2023, Clarke gained valuable rounds and experience against the likes of Mariusz Wach and Dave Allen, as he stepped up his opposition in preparation for a showdown with Wardley.
The reigning champion has himself scored a career-best win against David Adeleye since the collapse of his proposed scrap with Clarke.
Now the fight has finally been announced, with the bookies clearly favouring one man, yet when it came to predicting the clash, both men gave a similar answer, telling talkSPORT Boxing that the fight will not go past the middle rounds.
Clarke: – “I’ll win and I’ll knock him out. What did you say Fab, sixth [round]? I’ll say middle rounds, six or seven, once he has run out of ideas. Which could be sooner than that to be honest.”
Wardley: – “I don’t go the distance.”
Clarke: – “He is Fabio Wardley, he don’t go the distance.”
Wardley-Clarke will take place on Easter Sunday [March 31st] at the O2 Arena, and will be available to watch on Sky Sports.