The buildup to this fight took an entire year, but when the gloves were on, it was a full twelve rounds of toe-to-toe action. Fabio Wardley squaring off against Frazer Clarke, a scrap they called “Bad Blood,” ended up painting the ring and even the ref in shades of the bout. Most of the paint job? Courtesy of Wardley’s battered, bloody nose.
Wardley, sporting a gash that seemed to deepen with every round, decided halfway through that enough was enough. Channeling his inner warrior, he launched a right hook at Clarke that had “night-night” written all over it. Clarke, however, withstood the hit, showcasing a level of toughness that defies explanation.
As the fight trudged on, with both men looking like they’d rather be anywhere else but there, the end came with a bell toll, not with a knockout but a whimper, leading to a draw. Wardley kept his belts by the skin of his teeth, and both fighters limped off to lick their wounds.
The crowd’s mixed reactions filled the arena as the decision was announced—a draw. Despite the collective sigh from the fans, the outcome felt oddly appropriate after such an intense, back-and-forth battle. With both fighters barely holding on, the talk of a rematch hung in the air, a promise of another day, another fight.
Fast forward to 36 minutes of what can only be termed ‘total war.’ Clarke dished out uppercuts as if they were going out of style, while Wardley’s face turned into a crimson mask, all in the name of the game. The notable moment, if one might say, came when Clarke lost his gumshield as awkwardly as a kid at a high school prom trying to fit in.
In the end, both warriors stood, or rather wobbled, earning not just the crowd’s applause but also huge respect. Clarke, in a moment that would make even the most stoic of us shed a tear, crumbled to the canvas in sheer exhaustion. Wardley, on the other hand, despite looking like he’d just gone a few rounds with a meat grinder, managed to hold onto his belts, making his way out of the arena with whatever dignity he had left. The judges’ scorecards: 114-113 for Wardley, 115-112 for Clarke, and 113-113.
In the grand tapestry of boxing, this fight might be remembered not for its elegance, but it’ll be remembered as the night when two giants decided to turn the noble art of boxing into something that resembled a brutal, entertaining bar fight. Either way, respect was earned, and so were a few stitches.
All results:
- Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke: Draw (Split Decision, 12 rounds); Wardley retains British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
- Chris Kongo vs. Florian Marku: Kongo wins (Unanimous Decision, 10 rounds); Welterweights
- Viddal Riley vs. Mikael Lawal: Riley wins (Unanimous Decision, 10 rounds); Riley retains English Cruiserweight title
- Alen Babic vs. Steve Robinson: Babic wins (TKO, Round 6 out of 10); Heavyweights
- Callum Simpson vs. Dulla Mbabe: Simpson wins (KO, Round 4 out of 10); Super Middleweights
- Ben Whittaker vs. Leon Willings: Whittaker wins (Points, 8 rounds); Light Heavyweights
