Frazer Clarke is ‘feeling ok’ after his horrifying knockout defeat to Fabio Wardley in Saudi Arabia, which left him needing his jaw wired.
The British heavyweight title clash was one of the most hotly-anticipated fights on the night in Riyadh in a rematch of the split-decision draw earlier this year.
The fight was over after just two minutes and 28 seconds as Wardley delivered one of the most explosive knockout victories in recent history.
Clarke got in some clean shots in the early exchanges of the first round but a big right hook from Wardley changed the fight completely.
The challenger was knocked onto the ropes as he frantically tried to regain his composure but Wardley was unrelenting before one final punch knocked Clarke down to the ground.
The final blow left a visible dent in Clarke’s head with the 33-year-old’s jaw appearing lopsided.
Clarke was immediately taken to hospital after the fight where he underwent further scans.
Boxing journalist Gareth A Davies bumped into the British heavyweight boxer on his way back to the UK from Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening where Clarke revealed he was ‘feeling ok’.
But Clarke also shared photos of the devastating injury he sustained to his jaw, which had to be wired shut.
He was said to have suffered three separate breaks in his jaw, but congratulated Wardley on his win.
“Well done mate, I’ve been in boxing a very long time and no one has ever hit that hard,” Clarke said.
“I’m proud of the 13 rounds we’ve had together.”
Wardley will be glad to hear that Clarke underwent successful surgery and is on the mend.
The 29-year-old had kind words for his compatriot after their duel on Saturday and is hopeful of a friendly reunion outside of the ring.
“I always take a prayer before my fight and I always ask for me and my opponent to walk and leave healthy,” he said.
“I know it’s a hurt business and this is our job at the end of the day but I want people – whoever I’m in with – to go back to their family healthy and safe, so I wish him all the best, I hope he’s well.
“I hope I can speak to him after and just give him a hug and say thank you.
“Because those 12 rounds we shared before were something special to us and to boxing. So again, I just hope he’s healthy and OK.”
