Nick Peet: Wardley vs Clarke

THE British heavyweight title takes centre stage this Easter weekend when two fighters from completely contrasting backgrounds collide at London’s O2 Arena.

Super Sunday doesn’t start and finish with the Premier League’s top of the table fixtures, as champion Fabio Wardley defends both his Lonsdale belt and Commonwealth crown against Frazer Clarke.

Two unbeaten behemoths, who run the scales to over 500lb combined, they are promising Easter Sunday fireworks from the opening bell.

Four more sleeps to go until a potential British heavyweight classic 💥

🥊 @FabioWardley 🆚 @BigFrazeBoxer 👑 British & Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles

Will it be "AND STILL" or "AND THE NEW" on Sunday night? 👀

Keep up to date with the latest interviews and news from fight… pic.twitter.com/gxjr87QPXj

— IFL TV (@IFLTV) March 27, 2024

WHITE-COLLAR

Unlikely champion Wardley, 29, started his pugilistic journey in the white-collar game before eventually turning legit professional in 2017.

The man from Ipswich has gone 17 fights unbeaten since, notably 16 via knockout, and has ticked off his journey in stages; first winning English, then British and most recently Commonwealth honours.

As he’s been stepped up in levels, six-foot-five Wardley has improved with every punch thrown and his technical skills have started to catch up to complement his power.

In the last 18 months, he’s chinned ex-England international Nathan Gorman, New Yorker Michael Coffie and unbeaten domestic rival David Adeleye – and hardly dropped a round.

From where he came from, unlicenced boxing, he’s defying the odds with each and every performance.

THE ERASER

‘Big Fraze’ on the other hand has been primed to become a British heavyweight contender.

A regular on Team GB for a decade, he helped first Anthony Joshua and then Joe Joyce prepare for their Olympic medal winning opportunities before finally heading to Tokyo as team captain to collect bronze.

After turning pro in 2022, six-six Clarke has gone 8-0 as a pro, including six knockouts.

A popular figure in the game, the Burton-on-Trent banger hasn’t had to break out of third gear yet. His most notable win coming over the fighter formerly known as Mariusz Wach – who was 10 years past his prime.

Clarke, 32, finds himself in a real fight for the first time as a prizefighter on Sunday then, but of course, compared to the champion he’s got way more experience – albeit from the amateur ranks.

The challenger may not have had to bite down on the gumshield yet as a pro, but as an amateur he’s been in some epic battles against a generation of strong heavyweights.

Yet those were only three round fights. Going toe-to-toe for 12 rounds in smaller gloves is a different proposition entirely, and it’s likely Clarke will have to face a few demons inside the O2 ring.

Wardley, who has stopped every opponent since his debut, has never been past seven rounds either, so questions naturally remain about his own staying power.

SKILL VS WILL

Technically, Clarke should have the skills to piece Wardley up and sail into a comfortable lead behind a dominant jab. But he can’t risk letting too much fly too soon as Fabio can turn any fight on its head in an instant.

Pacing will be crucial for both as the sheer frames involved ensures shots landing to the body or even on the arms are going to eventually take their toll.

Wardley wants a shootout, a dog fight. A chance to roll his toes into the canvas and throw heavy leather. Whereas Clarke will be looking to dominate a chess match off the back foot.

If he can remain vertical, expect Clarke to be celebrating after 12 rounds to the words; “And the new…”

But do not blink.

Wardley, the perennial underdog, has the mentality of a hungry challenger and he’s coming out all guns blazing from the very start.

TIP: Frazer on Points

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