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
Round two
Marku throws the jab now and when the pair come together, there’s an uppercut. But Kongo has marked up the left eye of Marku already.
Kongo is frustrating Marku and moving nicely, but his eye is also damaged, it seems.
Good right hand from Marku in the final 40 seconds of the round. This one is heating up now and the second is tougher to score.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Round one
Some real needle in the build-up here, yet both men touch gloves, which is nice to see.
Huge cheers for Marku, whistles around the arena, at least a few thousand for ‘The Albanian King’.
Kongo circling on the outside, Marku ready to load up and get over that long, languid jab from his opponent.
A nice left to the body of Kongo, Marku shuffles in and starts to lead with the left hook.
A tasty opening stanza, Marku shades it for us.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo
Here comes Chris Kongo, a must-win fight for the Bermondsey man after defeat to Ekow Essuman.
Now Florian Marku walks to the ring, his Albanian fans are loud inside the arena.
Get ready, this should be a cracker!
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
“That was the best thing that could of happened to Ben,” says Johnny Nelson on Sky Sports after a points victory.
“He needs eight rounds where he has to work. He made easy work of it, but he couldn’t get rid of him.
“It prepares you for the bigger fights ahead.”
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
Ben Whittaker def. Leon Willings via decision (78-73)
Whittaker stays unbeaten! A good effort from Willings, and far from Whittaker’s best performance, but the “Surgeon” will still gain some fans tonight.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
Round eight
Final round! Willings presses forward. He’s done himself proud, although a win will elude him here – unless he can find a knockout blow.
Both men land hard right hands simultaneously, after a spell of jabbing from both boxers.
Lovely left hook by Willings, who has Whittaker trapped in the corner.
A good end to the fight for Willings.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
Round seven
Penultimate round. Whittaker corners Willings, whose corner urges him to get away from the ropes again.
Nice one-two by Whittaker, then a hard left hook. He corners Willings and turns up the pressure. Thudding shots here.
A good right hook lands for Willings, then more shots in a frenzied exchange, but Willings misses wildly and slips to the mat. Whittaker just looks out into the crowd and laughs. Willings does as well, to be fair.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
Round six
Whittaker presses forward and unloads a series of headshots on Willings.
Beyond that, it’s a quieter round.
Wardley vs Clarke LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Leon Willings
Round five
Into the second half of this eight-round bout. Whittaker jabs to the body. Willings snaps a cross to the head.
Whittaker backs up Willings, whose corner urges him to get off the ropes. Willings takes his time doing so, eating a few shots before escaping.
Whittaker soon backs him up on the other side of the ring and lands a few more punishing shots.
Two powerful left hooks to the head of Whittaker, but he just eats them! Another lands, and Whittaker feigns some disorientation.
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