Heavyweight contender Fabio Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) looked like a steamroller, knocking out previously undefeated big man Frazer Clarke (8-1-1, 6 KOs) with a first-round knockout in their rematch on Saturday night in the main support at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Clarke was caught with a big right hand from Wardley early in the first round with a right hand that stunned him and dropped him against the ropes. Clarke seemed to get that shot back as he landed a big uppercut to the head of Wardley.
Seconds later, Wardley landed a short right hand on Clarke, taking his feet away and sending him back to the ropes. Wardley landed two broad hooks on Clarke’s head that sent him crashing into the ropes.
Fabio then connected with two massive right hands to Clarke’s head, sending him down to the canvas. The referee then waved it off as Clarke was in bad form. He appeared to have a lump on the left side of his jaw. It’s unclear if Clarke’s jaw was broken or what, but it didn’t look good. The time of the stoppage was at 2:28 of the first round.
Wardley and Clarke fought to a 12-round draw earlier this year at London’s O2 arena on March 31. Wardley’s face was a mess in battle, and he looked terrible. Tonight he got to the tough Clarke early to avoid the punishment he took in their first fight.
After the fight tonight, Wardley said he wants to fight for a world title next. It will be up to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh if ​​he wants Wardley to fight for a belt, but that is unlikely. Wardley is going to have to come up and fight some other top heavyweights as he waits his turn to fight for a title. It will be interesting to see how Wardley battles Martin Bakole, Filip Hrgovic or Jared Anderson next.
Last updated on 10/12/2024
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