Boxing

FABIO WARDLEY knows his magnificent bloodbath draw with Frazer Clarke will have shaved years off of his life.The Ipswich heavyweight was involved in one of the best British title fights of modern times.Fabio Wardley was left bloody after going 12 rounds with Frazer ClarkeCredit: PAThe fight was one of the best British title bouts in recent yearsCredit: PAThe judges could not split themCredit: GettyHe suffered a horrible gash to his nose and was spitting blood — before dropping 19st giant Clarke in the fifth round at London’s O2.Both brave men took severe punishment and Clarke was deducted a point for low blows.But Suffolk puncher Wardley, 29, retained his Lonsdale belt after scores of 114-113, 112-115 and 113-113 could not split them.There is already demand for the rematch but Wardley — who had no amateur experience and started off as a white-collar brawler in local convention centres — is wary that 12 bloody rounds with an Olympic bronze winner shortens life expectancy.READ MORE IN BOXINGHiding his battered face under a baseball cap, he explained: “I am immensely proud. This was my 18th fight so I am still fresh and learning.“But to put on a fight like that and provide the entertainment for the fans and give the belt the respect it deserves makes me immensely proud.“My time for a fight like that was always going to come but I don’t want to be in too many more of them.“I have probably knocked a few years off of my life with that, but it’s all in the name of good fun. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s not an ideal way to box, it’s not an ideal way to fight, it definitely takes some years off your life and worries the people around you.“So it’s not something I plan to do too often — but I went through the fire and that has value.”Britsh boxing trio involved in ugly scuffle forcing Sky Sports to cut away from ringside on Wardley vs Clarke show Although Wardley floored Clarke with a flurry of punches, his opponent also had his moments.Wardley’s No 1 fan at ringside definitely did not appreciate the gore-fest and she might rule out the rematch.He added: “I was worried about my mum. Because I knew she would not enjoy watching it. My nose has seen better days. It was more of an annoyance because I had blood getting in my mouth and eyes.“But in the middle of a firefight like that you are not going, ‘Ouch, that punch hurt’. I was just trying to crack on and get the job done.”Ipswich Town football regular Wardley has been edging closer to a fight at Portman Road with each higher-profile win.It’s not an ideal way to box, it’s not an ideal way to fight, it definitely takes some years off your life and worries the people around you.Fabio WardleyAnd another showdown with well-promoted Burton upon Trent star Clarke, 32, could fit the bill.But Dillian Whyte-managed Wardley is a promotional and broadcast free agent, so he is not tied into a second showing and has earned the right to explore alternatives.He explained: “The British title brings the best out of a lot of people — and it definitely did that for me and Frazer.“We know how much that belt means to the sport and how much it means to us.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ll never count a draw as a win but I still have my belts and there are a lot of options on the table.“Whether it is the rematch or something else, we will take some time and we will reassess.”Wardley thinks the bout has taken years off his lifeCredit: ReutersThe canvas was covered in blood by the endCredit: Getty More

TYSON FURY is at risk of being DISQUALIFIED against Oleksandr Usyk,That is according to the boxer who gave the Gypsy King his biggest scare.Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 knowing he can become undisputed heavyweight world championCredit: EPAFury, 35, finally steps into the ring to face Ukrainian Usyk in Saudi Arabia on May 18.The winner will be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But Fury has been told that will be Usyk if he is not careful. Fury knocked out former IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham in New York in April 2013 but only after surviving an early drop.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe undefeated 34-0-1 WBC king even admitted Cunningham was outboxing him before he landed the final blow. And now the American has taken a warning shot at his former opponent ahead of the Usyk showdown, including questioning the legality of Fury’s style. Cunningham told World Boxing News: “I believe Ngannou only looked as good as he did fighting Fury because Fury didn’t take fighting an MMA guy seriously. “Ngannou does have unbelievable power, though. He landed a clean shot on Fury, who wasn’t in shape at all. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”I was surprised at that but not at the fact that Fury got up and outpointed him.”I think Usyk wins by decision against Fury. Tyson Fury’s Amazing Car Collection TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT”Either that or Fury gets disqualified. “Fury’s going to have to lean and lay all over Usyk to tire him down as he does usually. “I think the referee will be alerted to this before the fight [by team Usyk] and Fury will lose points.”Fury or Usyk are aiming to become the first undisputed heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis way back in 1999.There are expected to be six judges rather than the usual three as part of WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman’s desire to eradicate any chance of a controversial result on the scorecards. Victory for Fury could finally see him take on Anthony Joshua in an epic and long-awaited Battle of Britain, potentially at Wembley Stadium.However, should either fighter pull out before the rearranged May 18 date, they must personally stump up a £7.9million forfeit to their opponent thanks to a clause inserted into the contracts. Fury struggled past Francis Ngannou in his last outingCredit: AFPFury survived a knockdown in a mighty scare against Steve CunninghamCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

SHOCKED boxing fans compared the epic draw between Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke to a Quentin Tarantino film.The duo battled it out with an emphatic draw in the British heavyweight title fight.Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke’s slug-fest ended in a thrilling drawCredit: ReutersThe Ipswich fan’s nose was in a complete messCredit: GettyThe canvas was covered in spots of blood by the endCredit: GettyBut with the men unable to be split by the judges, Wardley just about clung on to his belt. That is despite suffering a sickening broken nose that was pouring with blood from the second round.Wardley was spitting out blood for much of the contest and Clarke’s own head was covered with his opponent’s claret – as was the referee’s once-white shirt. Both fighters needed medical treatment after the final bell signalled the end of arguably the boxing bout of the year.READ MORE ON BOXINGAnd it all left viewers stunned by the state of the ring – with the blood-splattered canvas looking more like a UFC mat, prompting plenty of reaction online.One said: “It was like a Tarantino movie,” in reference to the American directors’ bloody and violent blockbusters such as The Hateful Eight and Django Unchained. Another wrote: “I hope the ref is tossing his white shirt, it was fairly [bloody].”A third added: “Mike Goodall probably had his head in his hands wondering how he was going to clean his canvas.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd a final user commented: “That’s brutal. Epic fight. Class from both fighters.”Brave Wardley managed to not only continue the fight but carried on causing Clarke – who was docked a point for a low blow – plenty of problems despite his own physical struggles and difficulties breathing through his busted nose.Britsh boxing trio involved in ugly scuffle forcing Sky Sports to cut away from ringside on Wardley vs Clarke show The doctor was even called to check the Ipswich fan over but he got the green light to continue. Then when the slug-fest finally ended after 12 gruelling rounds, the judges scored it 114-113 Wardley, 115-112 Clarke and 113-113.So that was enough for Wardley to keep hold of his British, Commonwealth and WBO European belts.Such was the brutal nature of the contest, Sky Sports were unable to conduct the customary post-fight interviews with the boxers because they needed to be seen by medics.Referee Steve Gray might need to ditch his stained shirtCredit: GettyThey both needed medical treatment after the final bellCredit: ReutersThe pair put on a brilliant battle at the O2 ArenaCredit: Getty More

FABIO WARDLEY survived a sickening broken nose to cling on to his British heavyweight title from Frazer Clarke with a blood-soaked draw.The 29-year-old Ipswich ace spewed blood for most of the fight but still dropped the 2020 Olympic bronze winner.Fabio Wardley suffered a suspected horror broken noseCredit: ReutersBut the Ipswich fan managed to survive a doctor’s reviewCredit: PAThe slug-fest ended in a draw in one of the fights of the year so farCredit: GettyAnd after Clarke, 32, had a point deducted for two low blows, the judges scored the sensational bout: 114-113 Wardley, 115-112 Clarke and 113-113.The pair swapped evenly matched jabs from the start but a right hand from 19st Burton-on-Trent behemoth Clarke looked close to ending it early.Wardley somehow swallowed the biggest booming right hand of his career but his nose appeared to change shape from the blow.And he suffered much more jabs after that potentially career-changing hit.READ MORE ON BOXINGWardley made a brilliant start to the second, peppering Clarke with shots from both hands, until an uppercut staggered him and changed the course again.Clarke was in the best shape of his career and was producing elite boxing. And Wardley was already at the well, digging deep and trying to find a way around – or straight through – this mountain of a man.Wardley’s bashed nose was leaking blood by the third and his skull was shaken by another Clarke right hand.But the game champion bit down on his gumshield and battled back with looping right hands and hooks to Clarke’s body.Most read in BoxingThe ring was covered in blood by the end of the matchCredit: PAThe draw sees Wardley retain his beltsCredit: ReutersClarke was down in the fifth but managed to hang on bravelyCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRound five was magnificent as Wardley, with his broken nose oozing blood and making it hard to breathe, suffocated Clarke with pressure and punches and folded him down into the deck.Incredibly the giant beat the count, heard the bell and came out swinging for the sixth.Britsh boxing trio involved in ugly scuffle forcing Sky Sports to cut away from ringside on Wardley vs Clarke show Clarke landed a second low blow in the seventh that gave us all a much-needed breather – but cost him a potentially crucial point. And he was hurt by another right hand at the start of the eighth but rallied heroically again to whack Wardley with a shot that shattered his nose once and for all.Wardley was spitting out mouthfuls of his own claret by the ninth, even Clarke’s huge shaven head was coated in it.The doctor was called up in the tenth and ordered to check the disfigured nose and he let it continue. Clarke was then hurt but spat out his gumshield to get a brief rest and right on the bell – after another three-minute war – Wardley smacked the mouthpiece out again as Clarke gasped for air.Wardley looked like a car crash victim – almost unrecognisable – by the end of the 11th but he was still swinging and hurting Clarke and grabbing late rounds.And these two heroes were still somehow standing and slugging it out at the final bell. And everybody climbed to their feet to honour them and wait for the decision.PUNCH STATSHere’s how the boxers matched up…
Wardley Clarke
Total Punches 476 469
Punches Landed 151 157
% Punches Landed 32% 34%
Source: Compubox

Clarke was spent by the end after giving everything – don’t be surprised if we see a rematchCredit: ReutersSpeaking after the war, Clarke said: “We didn’t bring the title back to the dressing room, so we are a little bit down and gutted.”I felt I did enough to win it, even though he had a few good attacks.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I hope he wants to run it back.”If it was as much of a classic as the fans seem to he saying, then the fans deserve to see it again.” More