FABIO WARDLEY defended his British heavyweight title with a stunning first round KO against Frazer Clarke.
The Riyadh showdown saw them facing-off in a rematch after a brilliant draw back in March.
However, a huge shot from Wardley against Clarke’s jaw ended the contest inside one round.
Clarke was seen slumped against the corner of the ring after the brutal punch, prompting the referee to wave off the fight.
Medical professional’s were seen attending to Clarke following the fight in the ring.
Pictures of Clarke showed his jaw looking out of place, while there also appeared to be a sizeable DENT in the side of his head.
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Speaking on commentary for TNT Sports, Carl Frampton said his jaw appeared to be “dislocated or broken”.
Frank Warren later confirmed Clarke had suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, explaining the dent in his head.
The win moves Wardley to a record of 18 wins, one draw and zero defeats, with 17 of those victories coming by knockout.
The first fight between the pair in March had seen the 29-year-old Suffolk Puncher survive a mangled nose back when it was smashed it into a bloody mess.
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But in Riyadh on Saturday night it was 33-year-old Clarke and his mess of a corner that needed wiping off of the floor.
Brilliant Wardley grinned: “I know that once I hurt someone, I can get rid of them.
“I had a few issues for the first fight but I got rid of them, had a gameplan and executed it.
“I learned enough from the first fight to know I had enough to beat him properly.
“I can’t help it, it’s my name; War by name War by nature.
“I want belts and titles next, these domestic ones are great but I want the ones that have ‘world’ written on them.”
Clarke – who spent a decade with Team GB in Sheffield – started with the crisper jab.
But as soon as Wardley landed his violent right hand – honed in white-collar pub brawls in Ipswich pubs – Clarke was finished.
The former security guard vowed to return to manning doors, if he could not snatch the British and Commonwealth titles off the novice.
But it now seems unlikely that the ruffians in Burton-on-Trent would be worried about rushing his pub on a Friday night.
Wardley landed a stunning right hand on Clarke’s temple that shattered his Lonsdale belt dreams and his senses.
The 19st giant did well to stay on his feet but he bounced around the corner before taking another pasting and folding into the canvas.
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Clarke’s crumpled face looked melted in the heat of Wardley’s attack and the Saudi sun.
But Wardley now races on to be considered a serious world title contender when the belts are carved up after the December 21 rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
