FRAZER CLARKE’S Olympics came to an unfortunate end this morning courtesy of a horrific cut – but the Team GB star still managed to secure a bronze medal.
The 29-year-old locked horns with Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov in the super-heavyweight semi-finals early this morning.
But the horrific cuts he suffered in his quarter-final clash with Mourad Aliev last week came back to haunt him as the referee waved off the contest in the third round.
A dejected Clarke protested the ref’s decision to call off the contest.
But the official made the right call as the laceration above the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion’s right eye was gaping.
Clarke was outboxed by the bruising southpaw in the opening round, which he lost on all of the judges’ scorecards.
But the Burton brawler came roaring back in the second, landing a big straight right that wobbled the Uzbek.
The referee gave Jalolov a standing eight count, much to the frustration of the 27-year-old.
Clarke’s wobbling of Jalolov, however, didn’t impress the judges – with four of them scoring the second in the Ubzebk’s favour.
Clarke’s pre-fight cuts were opened up moments before the end of the stanza and sparked concern from his corner.
The cutmen did their best to stem the bleeding, particularly from the gash above his right eyebrow.
The ref, surprisingly, opted not to wave off the contest after checking the cuts late in the second.
I’m proud of myself. I gave a great effort
Frazer Clarke
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But he called an end to the bout after seeing the sickening injuries worsen moments after the final restart.
BBC commentator Steve Bunce was stunned by the ref’s decision not to stop the fight earlier, saying: ‘That cut is disgraceful.
“That cut would stop any fight in any decade in the world, it’s a 30 stitch cut – it looks like he’s been bitten by a shark!”
After the fight, a heartbroken Clarke said: “It’s not the fairytale that I wanted.
“But I’m proud of myself. I gave a great effort.
“The last six months of my life, I made more sacrifices than in the last 18 years when it comes to boxing.
“To get in there with one of the best, it’s a pleasure for me, an honour for me.
“I’m gutted I didn’t do a little bit more. Maybe the game plan I could’ve carried it out a little bit better.
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“But I’m proud of myself.”
He later added: “I’m gutted I didn’t do a little bit more but I’m an Olympic bronze medallist.
“I’m healthy and I’ve been to the Olympic Games. I can’t ask for anything more.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
