The boxing world is preparing itself for another stacked Riyadh Season card on October 12 , live on DAZN Pay-Per-View .
In the main event, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will finally meet for the undisputed light heavyweight title, but it's not just this contest which will get fans excited.
On the undercard there is an eagerly anticipated rematch between British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke following their thrilling clash in London earlier this year.
Ahead of this rematch, DAZN takes a look at what happened in the first meeting between these two domestic rivals.
Wardley vs. Clarke 2 fight card |
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Wardley vs. Clarke 2: What happened in the first fight?
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After months of negotiating, Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke finally clashed for the latter's British heavyweight title on March 31, 2024 at London's O2 Arena, and what unfolded was a Fight of the Year contender.
Once the opening bell rang, both fighters went to battle in the centre of the ring and Clarke was the first to try and assert control using his jab.
With Clarke's fundamentals in full effect, Wardley struggled to land many clean shots of his own with the odd right hand managing to land.
- Read next | 'The fight that I wanted!' - Frazer Clarke ready to deliver rematch spectacle against Fabio Wardley
Clarke's amateur experience was on full show for the opening four rounds as his jab and right hand frequently pushed Wardley back, but out of nowhere, the defending champion knocked down Clarke with a left-right combination in the fifth.
This gave Wardley a much needed boost in confidence as he had his own period of dominance for the following three rounds, and this was highlighted with Clarke having a point deducted in the seventh after receiving a third warning for a low blow.
There was one concern for Wardley however, and it was a nose injury which from the early stages saw blood continually pour over his face and have a detrimental effect his breathing.
As the contest reached the latter stages, Wardley was more reserved in his approach, perhaps this was due to the nose injury, but Clarke was struggling to take advantage with very little of note landing.
- Read next | 'I had him down!' - Fabio Wardley ready to settle Frazer Clarke score in blockbuster clash
Wardley continued to show tremendous courage and determination against Clarke who every so often would find success with the right hand, and it looked like a stoppage could have happened at the death with Wardley rocked, but the Ipswich man hung on for the final bell.
When it came to the result, the fight was declared a split decision draw and as ever, an outcome such as this prompted the calls for a rematch, and seven months later, Wardley and Clarke will look to finally settle the score under the bright lights in Riyadh.
Watch Wardley vs. Clarke 2 on DAZN
Watch Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke, plus the whole Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol fight card on DAZN Pay-Per-View, which also includes Chris Eubank Jr, Jai Opetaia, Ben Whittaker and Skye Nicolson all fighting.
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