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An intriguing contest – billed as ‘Bad Blood’ – between two fighters with contrasting journeys, lived as much as the hype.
Olympic bronze medallist Clarke, 32, honed his craft as a part of the TeamGB set-up and thru profitable a number of beginner titles, whereas Wardley solely started hitting a punchbag aged 22 whereas nonetheless working in recruitment.
Clarke’s education was obvious from the beginning, the beginner star profitable the jab battle and touchdown uppercuts on the within.
As blood from a lower in the second spherical dripped from Wardley’s nostril on to his blue and white shorts, a nod to his beloved Ipswich Town Football Club, the 29-year-old got here again preventing.
Wardley – who competed simply 4 occasions on the unlicensed white-collar scene earlier than turning professional – pounced on his opponent in the fifth, touchdown a brief proper as Clarke backpedalled and slumped to the ground.
Clarke was docked some extent for a low blow in the seventh however discovered a second wind in opposition to a noticeably fatigued and bloodied opponent.
The physician examined Wardley’s nostril in the tenth, a swollen proper eye additionally hindering his sight.
But simply seconds after being given the inexperienced gentle to proceed, he remarkably landed a flurry of pictures as each males continued to commerce in the championship rounds.
Staggered in the ultimate minute of the competition by an enormous proper, Wardley in some way managed to remain on his ft, nonetheless throwing fingers up till the final bell.
Wardley admitted a rematch is “an option” however needs to take “five minutes” to think about his subsequent step with a fight at Portman Road, the house of Ipswich Town, nonetheless very a lot on his thoughts.
“Bringing a fight to Portman Road has been on the cards and I’ve been talking it about it for a long time now,” Wardley mentioned.
“Whether it’s the rematch or something else, I’d like to tick that off before the end of my career.”
This was a bout a yr in the making after they have been ordered to fight in April 2023, just for Clarke’s promoters to withdraw him on the day of the purse bid.
They argued it was all concerning the timing, and the wait proved to be value it.
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