Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Latest fight reaction, results and official scorecards after epic heavyweight battle
Relive all the action after Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke’s epic heavyweight battle for the British and Commonwealth titles
Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke battled to a hard-fought draw after delivering an incredible fight for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.
Wardley defended his titles but suffered immense damage after 12 brutal rounds, including what appeared to be a broken nose, which left blood streaming down his face for the majority of the fight.
A heavy right hand to Clarke in the fifth eventually saw the former Olympian hit the canvas, and he was deducted a point in the seventh round to leave him with a mountain to climb.
But Clarke fought back and salvaged a draw, with one judge awarding him the fight outright 115-112, whileWardley was favoured 114-113 on another. But a third judge was unable to split the fighters with his 113-113 card ensuring a draw.
Re-live updates and see all results from Wardley vs Clarke and the undercard fights, below.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
“I believed and trusted coming in here. Last year, I took an L, but that didn’t stop me keep working and working,” says Chris Kongo.
“I promised myself, once I win this, I’m going straight back in the gym and going to work, staying disciplined inside and outside the gym.
“I felt his power, and I thought, this ain’t stopping me. Remember, I had a year out of the ring. It was hard for me. I stayed in the gym, and kept working. That’s the main thing. I’m proud of myself for doing that.”
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Chris Kongo def. Florian Marku via unanimous decision (96-94, 96-93, 98-92)
A big win for Kongo, he picks up the IBO Inter-Continental Welter and moves to 15-2
“That’s what he needed, he timed it perfectly, says Nelson on Sky Sports. “Boxing discipline got him through, excellent.”
George Groves adds: “It was a brilliant performance from Kongo, who hurt Marku. Kongo was picking out the shots.”
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round ten
Clarke is backstage pummelling the pads, the heavyweight main event is almost here.
Final round, can Marku deliver a dramatic knockout to reverse the momentum drastically?
When the fighters get in close, Kongo is able to tag Marku to the body. The left uppercut, a reverse one-two, and Kongo is dazzling out in that ring. Magic.
Another left uppercut down the middle and off the ropes. His fitness and conditioning has been spot on, too.
A comfortable win in the end, it would seem. We’ve given Marku a couple of rounds at most. We go to the scorecards.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round nine
Marku must go for the knockout! Kongo doesn’t look too tired, he’s nearly there.
A wild left hand, which didn’t land particularly clean. Kongo rolls off the ropes and out of trouble.
A big right hand from Kongo, he sat down on the shot and a grin spreads across his face. Another round in the bank, surely.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round eight
Two jabs land in Marku’s face, with the Albanian’s corner delivering a rocket in the corner between rounds there.
Howard Foster is giving Marku a final warning, though, he says: “this has got to stop.” He’s warned of disqualification, too. Wow. Marku treading a fine line.
This is an outstanding performance from Kongo, perhaps a career-best display. He must finish it off in the final couple of rounds, but it’s all in his favour.
Marku is desperate, a punch to the back of the head, a point off. Foster has had enough, “do you understand?” One more and he’ll be out of there.
Kongo letting the hands go, he could go through the gears here and force the stoppage. There’s a fine left from Marku, suddenly, it landed high on the head of Kongo, but he survives. A big round for ‘2Slick’.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round seven
A busy start from Kongo, a stiff jab to Marku’s head and now the right hands start to flow behind the jab. Impressive.
Some sneaky body work catches Marku too, time starting to run out for the Albanian. Momentum is all with Kongo.
Real confidence and letting the shots go now, Kongo is on top. And right there, 15 seconds to go, a fantastic uppercut from Kongo. He slipped it through beautifully, before rolling away. Tidy boxing.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round six
The viewers’ verdict has it 3-2 to Kongo so far, winning the last three rounds.
Kongo jabbing nicely and forced to smother Marku at times, but a counter right hook lands.
Matthew Macklin is enjoying Kongo’s variety, too, but Marku suddenly traps him in the corner, but nothing of substance is landing. The defence from Kongo is mostly blocking the power shots of Marku.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round five
Kongo still on top and now jabbing Marku’s body, who stands there and appeals to his rival to engage more.
But Kongo is having too much joy moving, so that’s unlikely.
A right hand catches Marku coming in, this is great work, but how much has come out the tank for Kongo? He has built up a decent lead, you’d think, maybe 49-46?
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round four
Marku now swinging and missing with Kongo working well off the ropes.
Really quick hands, too, a four-punch combination in front of Marku, Kongo’s rhythm is smooth.
Marku pushing the fight, but surely the judges will prefer the cleaner work of Kongo so far.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round three
Marku backs Kongo up to the ropes, but the Londoner bounces out of trouble.
Howard Foster speaking to Kongo about holding, which has proven effective in frustrating Marku so far.
Kongo popping the jab upstairs and downstairs, his speed is proving tricky to combat for Marku.
He’ll bank that round and might just have a slender lead on our unofficial scorecard.
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