Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has confirmed that he is seeking to make a heavyweight title fight between British heavyweight title holder Fabio Wardley (16-0, 15KOs) and his mandatory challenger and Olympic silver medalist Frazer Clarke (6-0, 5KOs) for later in the year. The British boxing board of Control previously ordered the contest and has made Clarke the mandatory challenger for Wardley, despite only having six fights into his professional career. Clarke will return to action on June 10th at the York Hall in London.
In recent weeks, Clarke has not shied away from making his feelings known about wanting to face Wardley for the British title. In return, Wardley has stated that he will not vacate the title and will take on whoever is before him.
Hearn, who promotes Wardley, spoke to IFLTV regarding a possible Wardley & Clarke encounter. Hearn feels the contest might be too soon in the career of Clarke despite his amateur pedigree. Ultimately, Hearn was optimistic about the prospect of the fight between the pair happening.
“It’s a great fight. It’s still a British title fight but I feel like it’s a big heavyweight fight. Surprised that Frazer Clarke was mandated for that fight, in all honesty. You’ve got Solomon Dacres English Champion, you’ve got David Adeleye has been around a while, and I feel like he got a little bit shafted there.
But Frazer – good fighter. I feel like it’s a bit early for Frazer over 12 championship rounds, but he fancies it. We’re in. Fabio’s not vacating. So it’s gonna be a big purse bid.”
If it does take place, the contest has been rumoured to take place at Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, UK. The stadium hosts Ipswich Town Football Club, of which Wardley is a supporter. Hearn continues to add that he had intended to make a fight at the stadium in 2024 but feels that moment may be now.
“We’d love to do it at Portman Road. We’ve been in conversations with the club – Fabio has for a while – about doing a fight there. We anticipated that moment happening in summer 2024, but yeah, we would love to Fabio against Frazer at Portman Road.”
