The bloodstained canvas was proudly displayed on social media, reminiscent of a child proudly flaunting their scraped knee to fellow classmates after surviving a fall on the playground. However, this was boxing, the most ruthless and enduring sport, showcasing its utmost courage and timeless nature.
Fabio Wardley, hailing from white-collar origins, dominated the majority of the 12 rounds despite a prominent gash on the bridge of his nose. Frazer Clarke, deemed an 8-0 underdog, contributed a fraction of the bloodshed. Their clash in the heavyweight division was a legendary slugfest that will forever be etched in history.
The way in which they accomplished it is beyond our comprehension, as the immense effort they displayed was truly heroic. Wardley and Clarke gave their all, to the point where they could barely stand upright while awaiting the judges’ decision. Boxers often casually mention their willingness to die in the ring, but the gravity of such statements is often overlooked. However, inside The O2 on Easter Sunday, Wardley and Clarke came perilously close to oblivion as their bodies suffered increasing amounts of bloodshed and trauma. We must always remember and appreciate the tremendous effort it takes to create fights like that, never taking it for granted.
Contrary to popular belief, the intense and exhilarating bouts in boxing are not driven by a desire to entertain us. Rather, they stem from the combatants’ inherent and self-centered need to triumph, with entertainment being a mere consequence of their astonishing determination to win. This very essence is what elevates boxing, when appropriately matched, to the pinnacle of thrilling sports.
The British title triumphed in this contest, finally receiving the recognition it deserves. In the past, the championship was overshadowed by confusing “continental” titles that offered higher rankings from certain sanctioning bodies. However, there has been a noticeable improvement in the popularity of the Lonsdale Belt in recent years. And rightfully so. Being the champion of your country holds great prestige in the sport, and unlike at the world level, there is only one champion per country. This should be an easy sell for both promoters and broadcasters – especially after the incredible events of last weekend.
Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, has witnessed a lot of British title fights. “Very high,” he said when asked by BN where Wardley-Clarke stood in the list of those he’s seen from ringside. “Everyone has always said that Area and British title fights are the best, and so it proved again.”
Just a short while back, the Board used to distribute their circulars on a monthly basis, outlining the required matches for the national championships. However, they were well aware that only a few of these matches would actually take place. This was mainly due to the fact that the boxers were often under contract with rival promoters, or their managers found it more suitable to steer their fighters towards less challenging opponents.
“After acknowledging a significant increase in the collective desire to prioritize fights of real significance, Smith speculated that the abundance of minor sanctioning body titles in the market may have contributed to limited widespread appeal in those fights and titles.”
Smith continued, stating that there is a growing interest in organizing the appropriate fights, even at the Area, English, and Celtic levels. He mentioned that when fights are proposed, a higher number of them are actually taking place. This indicates that individuals are recognizing the significance of these fights and the consistently impressive outcomes they yield. Previously, there was an obstacle hindering this progress, but now it no longer exists.
Naturally, there is another perspective to consider. After the intense battle on Sunday, many were left pondering the fate of Wardley and Clarke. The discussion of a rematch emerged swiftly, fueled by the excitement and the match being declared a draw. Whether this is the logical next move or not remains subjective.
We are justified in advocating for the competition and expressing our discontent with avoiding challenging tasks on the path to success. However, it’s important to acknowledge that there is a point at which individuals have their limits.
Afterwards, Wardley confessed that he doesn’t require many more fights similar to that one, as those intense 36 minutes might have taken away several years from his life.
Despite being in only his ninth professional contest, Clarke displayed the level of intensity typically seen in fighters much further along in their careers.
Hence, advocates of safety could propose that it would be wise to opt for less demanding competitions, at least temporarily.
The canvas may have been cleansed of blood by now, but the impact of that intense battle, the memories, and the lasting scars cannot be easily erased. We commend the bravery of these two exceptional young men for the sacrifices they have already made.
BACK TO SQUARE ONE
LAST week it emerged, via a report on Mail Online, that UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) had been successful in their appeal against the National Anti-Doping Panel’s (NADP) verdict to lift Conor Benn’s provisional suspension.
In July of last year, the NAPD made a decision to revoke Benn’s suspension, which was imposed after he failed two tests for the banned substance clomifene in 2022. The reason behind this ruling was attributed to the fact that the tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) instead of UKAD, the governing body responsible for drug testing in Britain. Following this decision, both UKAD and the BBBoC expressed their intention to challenge the NAPD ruling in August.
If the appeal were to be successful, Boxing News has always been aware that Benn would be placed back under provisional suspension. Following that, he would be required to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the presence of clomifene in his system prior to his anticipated match against Chris Eubank Jnr in October 2022, in order to obtain a license for fighting in Britain.
This has been a lengthy and challenging process for everyone involved, which is expected to continue after this appeal. If UKAD decides to reinstate Benn’s suspension and disregards his explanation for the presence of an illegal substance in his body, the fighter from London can appeal and then take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If Benn is suspended in the meantime, any license-holders who enable him to fight again may face consequences.
Benn was heavily linked to a showdown with 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao in recent weeks, but confirmation never came. BN understands that Benn’s immediate fate will become clearer in the coming days.
