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The wait for this match lasted 12 months, and the match itself lasted all 12 rounds. The match between Fabio Wardley and Fraser Clarke, dubbed 'Bad Blood', ended with a lot of blood spilled. Much of it splattered onto the referee's shirt, and much of it leaked out of Wardley's deformed nose, causing him great difficulty and potentially costing him the victory. .
After 36 minutes of intense attrition, which may have felt even longer than the year-long delay to this match for these heavyweights, Wardley and Clark were unable to resolve their feud, ending in a draw. Ta. Wardley retained his British and Commonwealth titles as the judges scored him 114-113, 112-115 and 113-113 in a scintillating main event at London's O2 Arena.
Although there was collective disappointment at the result, neither boxer deserved to lose their undefeated record and felt it was a fair result. Wardley dropped Clark somewhere during the violence, and while Clark scored points with low blows, Clark also did some decent damage.
Clark, an Olympic bronze medalist, likely won three of the first four rounds, landing repeated shocking jabs and uppercuts into Wardley's guard, forcing the champion into mistakes. Wardley's nose was treated before evening the third round, but he improved in that frame and grew even more into the fight.
In the fifth round, Wardley's momentum reached a critical mass, chasing Clark around the ring with a ferocious vim and knocking Clark off balance with a left hand. Wright followed, and “Big Fraze” fell to the floor, where he managed to beat the referee's count just before the bell. Wardley's speed and explosiveness frustrated Clark, who lost a point in the seventh round with a second low blow and was beginning to lose control of the fight.
The 32-year-old clearly bit his gum shield late in the round and threatened to bite off his gum shield completely in an attempt to stop his momentum, but he may have done it by chance as he looked to be starting the round encouragingly. do not have. By the 9th, Clark was beginning to take advantage of Wardley's seemingly creeping fatigue, which was no doubt brought on by breathing problems caused by the 29-year-old's collapsed nose.
Wardley (left) and Clark produced fight of the year candidates.
(John Walton/PA Wire)
Its nose required further treatment after 10 rounds, but that did not deter Wardley's brilliant barrage, only stopping when Clark lost his gum shield at an opportune moment. Clark fought back in the 11th frame and survived the fight, leaving Wardley with multiple blood splatters.
Still, Wardley finished the round well and both boxers were greeted with a standing ovation as they started the final frame. Clarke continued to pound Wardley down, leaving the Ipswich fighter wincing in the clinch, and by the time the final bell rang, Wardley was wearing a crimson mask. Still, the champion continued to throw punches.
When the referee finally separated the heavyweights, Wardley returned to his corner covered in blood. Meanwhile, Clark was exhausted and melted toward the canvas. Despite their best efforts, his team was unable to get him up. In that moment, Big Flames had never seemed so small.
Clark sank to the ropes and then to the mat after an epic 12 rounds
(Getty Images)
Wardley's face was covered in blood, but he took his belt and left the O2.
(Getty Images)
But he fought his way back after suffering a knockdown and a docking point, earning himself a draw and a moment of reflection. Some will argue that he even won, and others will argue the same in Wardley's favor. Respect was definitely earned from both sides.
Zero points for either player might have been the fairest of the night. It's probably the perfect preparation for a rematch that's even more anticipated than this first chapter. Bad blood has been spilled, but smart money says it will happen again.
