Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke II Predictions: Heavy duty British title rematch

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke aim to better their March classic in a British heavyweight title rematch this Saturday, October 12. The bout takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol. TNT Sports Box Office, DAZN PPV and Sky Sports Box Office will all carry this mega-event.

Here are my Wardley vs Clarke II predictions as we head into this heavyweight rematch.

These British big men will be on many Fight of the Year ballots come Christmas time. For your scribe, I do not believe I have seen a more scintillating display of brutality this annum than their March war. Now the two bruisers have licked their wounds and look to do it all again. 

Despite the fact the decision was a draw last time, their instant classic enhanced the reputations of both men. Wardley’s face heaved with gore, adding a streak of resilience to a locker that already contains power and perseverance. Clarke shrugged off the “nice guy” cloak and proved he belonged in the trenches, not pawing at journeymen unfit to lace his boots.

The biggest question going into this fight is how the two men can ever hope to top the first one? To be candid, one imagines neither fighter is looking to replicate that gruelling affair. Offer it to them now and Wardley or Clarke would likely take a quick, decisive victory. But those identical objectives could just mesh into a fight that stands alongside the first outing in the boxing annals.

Last time out, I backed Wardley by decision. Most of the money was going towards a knockout one way or the other, but I had a feeling these two were well-matched. Of course, we were on the cusp of a knockout on many occasions. But Wardley was within one single point on one scorecard from making good on my tip.

When pondering the outcome of this return, one wonders if these gladiators can withstand another 36 minutes of the sort of grotesque punishment they suffered last time. Wardley and Clarke pushed themselves to the outer limits of what a human body can absorb. Surely they cannot endure it all again?

Perhaps Clarke will try to alleviate the toll with his boxing acumen. Honed in the Team GB system, ‘Big Fraze’ has lifted almost every amateur accolade you can name. National title, European title, Commonwealth gold, Olympic bronze. You don’t accumulate that medal haul without being extremely well-schooled.

One of the elements that made their first meeting so fascinating was the contrast. Clarke is a gem of the British amateur ranks. Wardley’s only pre-professional experience is a stint in the white-collar scene. In terms of experience, these boxers could not be more different. But in terms of fire and desire, they might just be kindred spirits.

It does the heart good to see such a fight take place with the brilliant British heavyweight championship on the line. In this era, many prospects forego this route and go after the sanctioning body ranking titles instead. While the WBA continental strap was on the line in the first one, the presence of the Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt was the talking point. 

The peripheral belts are gone for this rematch, with the British belt once held by Henry Cooper, Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua sat front and centre. It is only fitting that these domestic big men duke it out for such a venerated prize.

Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke II Betting Odds

Wardley is an 8/11 favourite in this highly-anticipated bout. Clarke is 5/4, solid odds considering how close he came last time. Another draw, a result super lightweight contender Jack Catterall predicted in a recent interview I conducted, is priced at 14/1.

Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke Full Card

Artur Beterbiev (c) vs. Dmitry Bivol (c); IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweights 

Fabio Wardley (c) vs. Frazer Clarke II for the British heavyweight title 

Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles 

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light Heavyweights 

Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title 

Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke Prediction

The first fight completely changed my view on this as a pairing. Before their initial meeting, I thought Clarke was a flat-track bully. Competent against limited opposition but ripe for the picking against resistance.

But their March battle has changed my thinking. Wardley was exactly how I expected. Durable, hard-hitting, willing. But Clarke showed a streak I’d never seen. A meanness. A ruthlessness. A durability. Clarke is for real and I should never have doubted him.

For that reason, I’m picking ‘Big Fraze’ to do it here. I think the Olympian will look to box a little bit more, keep his distance from those powerful Wardley volleys. War will break out at some point, but by then I think Clarke will have enough points in the bank.

I’m picking Clarke by decision at odds of 7/2.

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