Fabio Wardley is gearing up for his rematch against Frazer Clarke on October 12 in Saudi Arabia, and he's predicting another all-out battle. Their first fight in March ended in a brutal draw, with both men digging deep in a 12-round war that surprised many. Despite the pre-fight talk about their differences, Wardley, the self-made British heavyweight champion, and Clarke, the polished Olympic amateur standout, found they had a lot more in common when they stepped into the ring.
Reflecting on the first fight, Wardley acknowledged the mutual respect that developed between them after their grueling encounter. "There's a good level of respect there for him," Wardley told DAZN. "All the back and forth goes out the window once you've shared 12 hellish rounds with someone." Both fighters had their moments, with Clarke picking himself up from the canvas to hurt Wardley, and neither man willing to back down, leaving fans eager for the rematch.
Watch Wardley vs. Clarke fight highlights: Watch
Wardley believes he has more room to grow ahead of their second meeting. With his less traditional background, Wardley feels his adaptability gives him the edge, whereas Clarke's more rigid amateur schooling might limit his ability to change. "I'm the younger, fresher fighter," Wardley said. "I think at his age, 33, it’s going to be harder for him to make those adjustments."
While many rematches see fighters adopt a more cautious approach, Wardley insists that won’t be the case for him. He’s determined to settle the score and leave no doubts. "I'm not happy with the draw," he said. "It's going to be another war. I'm going to get stuck in, throw bombs, and just be more clinical when I've got him on the go."
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Image Credit: Sky Sports