Suffolk boxing star Fabio Wardley has admitted he was thinking about his mother while facing Fraser Clarke in the All Time Classic heavyweight title fight.
The rugged Ipswich boxer retained his British and Commonwealth titles with a split draw with Olympic bronze medalist Clarke at the O2 Arena last night.
Read more: Wardley retains title in traditional match at O2
But this only tells half the story. Wardley finished with a streak of blood on his face from a cut on his nose, while Clarke was barely able to stand at the end of the thrilling match.
Even with blood streaking down his face, Fabio Wardley relentlessly pursued Fraser Clarke. (Image: Ross Halls)
Wardley, who currently has a record of 17-0-1 (16 KOs), dropped Clark by a wide margin in the fifth round, but received a point deduction in the seventh round due to his opponent's repeated low blows.
Both experienced intense battles with close blood and guts. The scores were 114-113 Wardley, 115-112 Clark, and 113-113.
Speaking after the match, wearing his beloved Ipswich Town's white third kit, Wardley was asked what went through his mind amid all the punches and blood.
“I was worried about my mom. I was like, 'She's not going to like this,'” he said of his mother, Shoni Lee.
“She was sitting ringside so I knew they weren’t enjoying this match!
Recap: Relive the action at the O2 Arena
“It's hard to explain. When you're in the middle of it, you're just worried about what I'm going to do, what he's going to do, and what he's going to do.
“Your brain is always working, and I'm always thinking and trying to figure out different things. What works and what doesn't.
“I'm not focused on anything else. I'm focused on what's in front of me.”
Fabio Wardley and Fraser Clarke fought at the O2 Arena (Image: Ross Halls)
Regarding this battle, he continued: “That fight was a fight that will go down in history. That British title brought out a lot of people and definitely brought out the best in us.
“We know how much that belt means to people and to us, and we put on a great show.”
Wardley added: “My war will come sooner or later. I don't want to be in any more wars. I've probably lost a few years of my life, but it's all a good war.” in the name of “,'' he added. fun. “
When asked about his nose, which appeared to have been broken by a piece of debris, he insisted: “My nose is better than ever!” It's not broken, it's just consistent. The wound has been there for a while and it keeps opening up.
“It's not very useful during battle, but it's not broken and there's no problem at all.
“To be honest, blood in my mouth and eyes was more of a nuisance. In the middle of a fight like that, you don't think, 'It hurts, it hurts,' you just try to keep your spirits up and get the job done.” That's it. ”
Fabio Wardley speaks to the media after the match (Image: Ross Halls)
The Suffolk puncher said of Clarke, who currently has a record of 8-0-1 (6 KOs). When he went down, I thought, “Okay, cool, let's get him out of there.''
“But he got up and weathered the storm. I gave him a few fights and he weathered them.
“I salute him for being a strong and brave man in that ring.”
Promoter Ben Shalom shared the view of many watching that the fight was one of the greatest ever for the prestigious British belt.
He also had great praise for Wardley.
Fabio Wardley retained the belt despite the draw (Image: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer)
“It was unbelievable,” he said. “We knew Fabio had heart, but for him to be so dangerous and keep fighting even when he was injured was something special for both of us.
“Everyone had a typical fight, and in the last rounds they were both on their feet, but they still kept coming…Fabio's face was spectacular.
“And he just kept coming. I never felt like Fraser didn't need attention and that says a lot about Fabio.
“It was an unbelievable match and hopefully the fans will get to see it again, but I'm really happy they were able to play such a classic match.”
Wardley dropped Clark at the end of the fifth round (Image: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer)
Clark said he was “disappointed” not to raise his hand, but admitted he was impressed with his opponent.
“I knew he was tough,” the Burton boxer said. “We've seen it before, he gets hit and comes back to life.
“I was expecting that. I'm just kind of kicking myself, you just think, 'Why didn't you turn the screw?' Because at some point you feel his energy draining away.
“But on the other hand, you have to be careful because this fighter has had too many knockouts.
“I wouldn't say he's the greatest puncher I've ever fought with, but he definitely hits hard enough to make you wary of going against him.”
Fabio Wardley showed incredible heart against Fraser Clarke (Image: Ross Halls)
The bout was advertised as a match between Clark's amateur boxing pedigree and the raw power of Wardley, who turned professional after just four white-collar bouts.
Asked to reflect on his journey to this point, Wardley said:
“Even just walking here, Rob[Hodgins, head coach]would poke me and say, ‘Look where you are after four white-collar games, you’re headlining the O2, great job. There were 15,000 people there, look, old white-collar fighters from Ipswich.
“There’s a lot to be proud of, but I’m also very proud to be able to take the team with me.
“Everyone around me has been with me for a long time, there aren’t too many new faces.
“It's because I believe that the people I trust, the people I love, will be with me until the end.”
