If you are an observer passionate about boxingYou will probably agree to have fallen into a familiar trap. It is easy to sometimes become desensitizedWith violence gradually starting to bring a strange mundanity. When Frazer Clarke was knocked out by Fabio Wardley In October, many fans were released from this trap, Although freedom is rather frightening.
While Clarke's eyes move, and heavy goods vehicles The crushed cheekbones collapsed in itselfA harsh reality has been made: this sport hurts, it is dangerous and it is ruthless. And if you were one of those who felt that this disturbing desire in the rest of Clarke's defeat in the first round by Wardley, imagine – if you can – what Clarke's family felt.
“For my nearby family, it was a bit of a reminder,” explains the Olympic bronze medalist The independent. “So far for them, going to watch me was an evening in Manchester or London – a day in London, charming.
“Fabio 1 was a little scary, obviously a few dubious moments,” he said, recalling His draw in March 2024 with his British compatriotin which Clarke hit the canvas. “” Oh, it's a bit real, but he hasn't lost, it's okay. “But the second fight:” He is in a hospital bed, having brain scanners, he has a cheekbone fracture. ”
“But it's reality, it's this I know. Whenever I get into the ring for a fighting session or a fight, I take this responsibility in my hands. I have no problem with that. You cannot look at anyone else – not coaches, not physios. You are this in there, you have both hands and I owned it like a man. I will always do it.
Clarke admits that the manner of his loss, the first of his professional career, required appropriate treatment.
“I felt like I was the best version of myself, entering this fight,” said the 33-year-old player, “so I was just emptied that I could never show everyone. I felt like a mixture between Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, George Foreman – All transferred to one, Majon. felt.
“It was just a mistake that cost me dearly. I would never withdraw from Fabio; What a fantastic shot for him. I did my best to fight, I really did it, and at that time there were about four of him in front of me. The writing was on the wall, I scrambled because I found myself at the top of the rope, and I thought that the nail of me had come because I turned around.
“If someone loses in this sport and finds it easy to (manage), you really shouldn't do it. It was difficult. There have been dark moments, yes. When it is one of the `Knockouts of the year '' and I see it flash on Instagram and Youtube, is it difficult to look at? Absolutely. But did that put me?
“If I had already had to box you, I would already have.
Among these people, there was Joseph Parker, the former world heavyweight champion who has a career resurgence and with whom Clarke has fought in recent months. Parker was to challenge the title holder IBF Daniel Dubois in February, but the latter withdrew due to a disease, Direct Parker to the box and eliminate Martin Bakole in two days notice.
According to Clarke, the New Zealander and his team probably do not realize how much they helped him move from the defeat of October. “I owe them a lot,” says Clarke, “and they won't even know it, because they did nothing in particular for me, but it really helped.”
These combat rounds will have served Clarke not only mentally but also physically, while he is preparing to return to the ring this Sunday. On the Ben Whittaker Revenge match with Liam Cameron in Birmingham, Clarke will face Ebenezer Tetteh.
The Ghanaian, 36, has only lost twice and for the elite opposition. In 2019, he was arrested by Dubois, and last year he retired against Dillian Whyte.
“I fully respect him, he comes to win,” says Clarke. “Don't think a second, I'm going there thinking it's a Walkover. Easter Sunday, it's not the resurrection of Jesus, it's Frazer Clarke's resurrection.”
