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7 months ago
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Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke showed their mutual respect backstage after their brutal 12-round war of attrition ended in a draw in London on Sunday night.
British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Wardley contested a bruising stalemate with challenger Clarke at the O2 Arena and suffered a bloodied nose.
Wardley had floored Clarke in the fifth round but often found himself sparring on the back foot, leaving him sporting an array of battle scars in the aftermath.
These cuts were visible for all to see as he relaxed in his dressing room and Clarke, after getting the go-ahead from doctors, dropped in to pay him a visit.
'Will you f*** off, mate?' Wardley joked before climbing awkwardly to his feet.
Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke shared their mutual respect after their brutal draw in London
Wardley and Clarke defended their unbeaten records after a gruelling 12-round showdown
Backstage, Wardley sported several cuts and bruises, including swelling around his eyes
Both fighters then shared a hug while Wardley continued to jape that he didn't want to see Clarke again for a while after almost suffering his first career defeat.
'I've seen enough of you,' he said, accompanied by laughter from those in the room.
The duo skipped their customary post-fight ring interviews to receive medical attention instead. Wardley appeared to suffer a broken nose that gushed blood.
As the big hitters traded blows, Wardley also sustained swelling to his eye, but even that did not stop him enjoying at least some success in front of the capacity crowd.
One judge scored the thrilling showdown 114-113 to Wardley, the other 115-112 to Clarke while, crucially, the third was unable to split them with 113-113.
Wardley jokingly told Clarke to 'f*** off' and admitted he'd seen enough of the challenger
Both heavyweights posed for the cameras after being cleared by the medical teams at the O2
The judges were unable to pick a winner but the two fighters are open to holding a rematch
As a result, both men protected their unblemished records, though Clarke has admitted he is eager for a rematch after agonisingly falling short.
'I wanted the titles, I want to be champion,' Clarke told Sky Sports. 'I'll be back with a vengeance, I promise you now. I'd love a rematch. I'd love to fight Fabio again.'
Wardley is also open to facing off against Clarke again in the future, telling reporters: 'That was a great fight, and he deserves a rematch.
'There deserves to be a clearer winner, a lot of people have asked for it. I don't think I'll be happy with my career moving on from that draw and just running away from it.
'So, we can run it back, it's no problem.'
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