Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke rematch confirmed for Oct 12 under Beterbiev-Bivol; full undercard takes shape

[Ledhed1]

By Alex Pattle, The Independent

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke will meet in a highly-anticipated rematch on 12 October, on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol’s undisputed title fight with Artur Beterbiev.

Wardley defended the British heavyweight title against Clarke in March, in a main event at London’s O2 Arena, with the pair fighting to a split draw in an instant classic.

Clarke was dropped in round five and was deducted a point for multiple low blows in round seven, but the Olympic bronze medalist impressed enough in the rest of the fight to secure a 115-112 scorecard; the others read 114-113 to Wardley and 113-113.

Now the unbeaten Britons will square off again, with Wardley, 29, defending his title against Clarke, 33, in Saudi Arabia.

The heavyweights will compete in Riyadh before the main event pits Russia’s Bivol against Russian-Canadian Beterbiev.

Like Wardley and Clarke, Bivol and Beterbiev are both undefeated, and the light-heavyweights will clash to crown an undisputed champion.

The bout is years in the making, and Bivol will bring the IBO title into the Kingdom Arena, while Beterbiev holds the WBC, WBO and IBF belts.

Cordina, Chapman and Massey to fight for world titles

BBC Sport

British trio Joe Cordina, Raven Chapman and Jack Massey will all challenge for world titles on 12 October in Saudi Arabia.

Welshman Cordina faces WBC champion Shakur Stevenson in an ambitious step up to lightweight to take on one of the world's most talented undefeated fighters.

Chapman will faces fellow undefeated fighter and defending champion Skye Nicolson for the WBC featherweight title.

Massey, 31, will face Australian IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

The bouts will take place on the undercard of the undisputed light-heavyweight world-title fight between Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Also on the undercard is the highly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.

Wardley, 29, will defend his title against Olympian Clarke, 33, after their thrilling first fight ended in a split-decision draw in March.

It is the second time a British heavyweight title fight takes place in the Saudi capital, after Wardley beat David Adeleye in October 2023.

Ipswich's Wardley has won 19 fights having competed just four times on the unlicensed white-collar scene before turning pro.

Clarke, from Burton-upon-Trent, captured bronze at Tokyo 2020 and has won eight pro bouts.

Also in action on the night is Chris Eubank Jr, who takes on Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight bout, and light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker against Liam Cameron.

Chapman, Cordina and Massey will be big underdogs in their respective bouts.

Cordina lost his unbeaten record and super-featherweight world title to Anthony Cacace in May.

New Jersey fighter Stevenson, 27, has won world titles in three weight classes in the space of 22 bouts.

Chapman takes a big step up in level of opponent in her first world title challenge.

The 30-year-old faces Australia's Nicolson, who has sliced through most of her competition in 11 fights and will defend her WBC belt for the third time.

The contest is also the most high-profile women's bout to take place in the Kingdom since Ramla Ali and Crystal Garcia Nova competed in the the first professional women's boxing match held in Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated accusations of using boxing to improve its international image, otherwise known as sportwashing, as the country continues to play down major concerns about their human rights record.

Massey is likely to be the biggest unfancied contender up against knockout artist Opetaia.

Opetaia is 25-0 with 22 knockouts and has already made short work of English contenders in the last year, knocking out Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro in quick fashion.

Massey has two losses on his record and stepped up to heavyweight in 2023 before securing a big win over cruiserweight contender Isaac Chamberlain in June.

[Cableaddict]

^  Great write-up,  Ledhead.  👍

 

Man, I forgot all about Wardley.  He looked to be one of the top 3-4 HW prospects just a few years ago.

Somehow he went off my radar.

 

Looks like he's fought a couple of really good opponents since then. I'm gonna' watch the Clarke fight tonight.

Do you guys think the draw was a fair outcome?

[Ledhed1]

16 hours ago, Cableaddict said:

Do you guys think the draw was a fair outcome?

When you consider Clarke had 2 odd points go against him - knockdown + point deduction - otherwise he won more rounds. And 2 judges had odd numbered score totals so couldn't split the fighters in at least 1 round. Pick a winner and we don't likely have a draw. Without the odd points, Howard Foster had Clarke by 5 pts which is typically absurd on his part so disregard him (if only!). It was very close and I didn't have a problem with the draw. Wardley should feel fortunate he gets a reprieve. He's far more experienced as a pro and has fought before in Riyadh. He gets a second chance to get it right.

[Cableaddict]

Now that I've watched it,  yeah the draw was fair.  But I agree Wardley should be very happy as it probably should have gone to Clarke.  

IMO Clarke landed the far more effective punches.  And his defense was a little better as well.

 

I'm still big on Wardley, because he's exciting, and also a proven warrior under pressure, but his defense needs a little work.

On a positive note, he fought a lot less dirty than in the past, throwing very few of those looping, behind-the-ear punches that are borderline (or over the border) illegal.

So good for him.

 

 

As for Howard Foster -  He's nothing if not predictable.

[Ledhed1]

Injured Stevenson cancels October bout with Cordina

BBC Sport

WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has pulled out of his fight against Wales' Joe Cordina on 12 October after having surgery on his hand.

The three-weight champion was scheduled to make the second defence of his lightweight belt after beating Artem Harutyunyan in July.

"Unfortunately my hand gave out on me but in 2025 let's bounce back and take over boxing," Stevenson wrote on X.

Stevenson and Cordina were set to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the undisputed light-heavyweight world-title fight between Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The American has an unbeaten record in 22 fights, including 10 stoppages.

Stevenson, 27, signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom in August.

Hearn, who also promotes Cordina, described Stevenson as one of the "pound-for-pound greats".

Cordina was preparing to make an ambitious step up to lightweight after tasting defeat for the first time in his career.

The 32-year-old lost his undefeated record and IBF super-featherweight title against Northern Ireland's Anthony Cacace in May.

Cordina would have been one of three Britons challenging for a world title on the card next month.

Raven Chapman faces fellow undefeated fighter and defending WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson, while Jack Massey meets Australian IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

There is also a highly anticipated rematch between British rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.

Wardley, 29, will defend his British heavyweight title against Olympian Clarke, 33, after their thrilling first fight ended in a split-decision draw in March.

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr, takes on Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight bout and light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker will attempt to extend his unbeaten record to nine at the expense of Liam Cameron.

[WelshDevilRob]

Hoping Joe still gets to fight on the card. There is some talk of him being moved into a Tank fight (but on a PBC card). I think he needs a fight before going in with the big guns.

Looking forward to the Heavyweight rematch - was very competitive the first time. Both, will have learnt a lot from the first fight.