Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke: Heavyweights clash over records before British title fight on 31 March in London
- Published
Fabio Wardley has 16 knockouts in 17 fights compared to Frazer Clarke who has six stoppages in eight wins
British champion Fabio Wardley says all the pressure is on Frazer Clarke in their heavyweight fight on 31 March.
Both men promised knockouts in a news conference on Thursday that started cordially but ended with the pair questioning each other's record.
Clarke, an Olympic medallist, trashed Wardley's white collar background.
"I would absolutely do what he's done and he could never do what I've done and that's the fact of it," Clarke said.
"That white collar boxing, ultimately it's just the hardest kids in town having a scrap.
"They just want to go and have a punch up in a random social club, sell a few tickets and become the talk of their town."
Clarke, 32, declared himself the underdog in the contest with 29-year-old Wardley having twice the amount of fights as a professional.
Wardley is undefeated in 17 fights since turning pro in 2017.
Clarke entered the pro ranks after winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, Wardley said Clarke was his toughest test to date but "his professional record is a bit lacking".
Wardley wore a "Who's your daddy?" T-shirt and Clarke invited his rival to stand up to show it off, before saying: "The one thing Fabio can possibly beat me at is internet beef."
Wardley, the defending champion, believes this fight has come "too soon" for Clarke.
He described Clarke's previous opponents as having "no ambition" and merely showing up for a "pay day".
"Ring IQ is one of them, but [it's also about] how strong are you, how fast are you, how much do you want it?" Wardley said of Clarke's boxing ability.
"On paper, like he said there, I'm just the hardest bloke in town who knocked out a few pub fighters.
"I've winged my way to winning a British title and I'm top of the stage, somehow. So all the pressure is on him.
"He's the Olympic bronze medallist. He's the guy with the amateur pedigree that should beat me.
"So when it comes that he doesn't, where does that leave him?"
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- Published11 January
