It’s an Easter Sunday cracker at the O2 Arena in London, as a domestic heavyweight dust-up heads the card. British and Commonwealth champion Fabio Wardley meets Frazer Clarke.
Sky Sports televise Wardley vs Clarke live in the UK, while Peacock broadcast the bout in the USA.
Wardley (17-0, 16 KOs) has largely bulldozed his way up the ranks with a string of early wins, his only distance fight coming on his debut over four rounds.
The Suffolk native came of age in November 2022, when he bullied Nathan Gorman into submission in a third round stoppage win that secured him the vacant British title, and after halting Michael Polite Coffie last April, the 29-year-old was matched in Saudi Arabia against David Adeleye in October in what looked like an intriguing clash.
Wardley imposed his will from the off though, and eventually broke the Londoner down to score a seventh round stoppage, and claim the vacant Commonwealth crown, as well as Adeleye’s WBO European strap.
The bout with Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) had been in play for a while, however, the 32-year-olds handlers preferred their man to gain more experience prior to tackling Wardley.
A 2020 Olympic Bronze medallist, ‘Big Fraze’ had a busy 2023, fighting four times.
Someone is getting 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓 on Sunday 💣😴#Boxing #WardleyClarke #FabioWardley #FrazerClarke pic.twitter.com/644N6vGERu
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) March 25, 2024
The Burton man eventually stepped up to ten round level, winning every session against Mariusz Wach in June, and then forcing Dave Allen to retire after six frames in September.
Prediction: Wardley is largely underrated due to his forceful style, while I expect Clarke to use his amateur pedigree to frustrate the champion. I think Wardley will eventually get to Clarke, and score a stoppage after halfway.
Marku meets Kongo
A grudge match lands on the undercard, as Florian Marku and Chris Kongo clash in a welterweight bout set for ten rounds.
Albania’s Marku (13-0-1, 8 KOs) has won six straight contests since a 2020 draw with Jamie Stewart, his last a one round wipeout of Dylan Moran, while Kongo (14-2, 7 KOs) rebounded with two wins following a points loss to Michael McKinson in 2021, but suffered a tight majority decision loss in his last outing, losing to Ekow Essuman in a bid for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Prediction: Marku is much-improved, and I think he will have too much for Kongo here, and can win inside the distance.
Riley faces Lawal
At cruiserweight, former British champion, Mikael Lawal returns after a first loss, but has a tricky assignment against Viddal Riley.
Lawal (17-1, 11 KOs) won the vacant Lonsdale Belt in November 2022, but lost widely on the cards in his first defence against Isaac Chamberlain last October.
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Riley (10-0, 6 KOs) went ten rounds for the first time as a professional in his most recent contest, winning all available frames against Nathan Quarless last September.
Prediction: I lean towards Lawal taking this one on points.
Babic battles Robinson
Alen Babic returns to the ring after a devastating defeat last time, and he meets Steve Robinson over a scheduled ten rounds at heavyweight.
Babic (11-1, 10 KOs) failed in a bid for the WBC bridgerweight title last April, where he was halted inside a round by Lukasz Rozanski, while Robinson (6-2, 4 KOs) was also defeated, losing an eight round decision to Franklin Ignatius.
Prediction: Babic can return with a stoppage win.
Whittaker, Simpson feature
The highly-touted Callum Simpson (13-0, 9 KOs) sees action, and the Barnsley super middleweight should have too much for Dulla Mbabe (34-13-1, 29 KOs), and can win via stoppage.
Simpson has recently called out Ben Whittaker (6-0, 5 KOs) and the flashy former Olympic Silver medallist appears here.
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‘The Surgeon’ has divided opinion, but has dealt with his limited opposition so far with ease, and he should record another early win, this time against Leon Willings (7-1, 2 KOs), who is a Central Area champion. This one is set for eight at light heavyweight.
