Frazer Clarke moving on from British title debacle, focused on Mariusz Wach

AFTER the disappointment of seeing a British title fight fall through Frazer Clarke is fully focused on his next opponent.

Clarke fights veteran heavyweight Mariusz Wach 36-9 (19) at York Hall on June 16. The Polish fighter will be having his 47^th contest. On Saturday (June 3) the 43-year-old will take part in fight number 46 when he faces Jakub Sosinski in his homeland.

Wach has been brought in for Clarke as a barometer to see where the Brit’s progress is at. It will represent the first time that the Olympic bronze medallist has fought over ten rounds. So far he has fought in five fights scheduled for six rounds and his most recent was for eight.

To the 31-year-old’s relief Wach was brought in as a replacement for original foe Harry Armstrong, a matchup that looked like providing no development for Clarke’s career.

“Mariusz Wach is definitely a better name,” he told Boxing News.

“It’s a better opponent 100 per cent. I’ve been watching him. Obviously the casual [fans] are going to talk about his age and his defeats. He’s been in there with them all. He’s very durable and at this stage of my career is something I need.”

Clarke had also been linked with Romanian opposition, someone who had fought Daniel Dubois in June 2021.

“Bogdan Dinu was a good fight, a good name,” Clarke said. “This is another good name. Yes, he’s a little bit older but I’ve watched his fight against [Arslanbek] Makhmudov. He was in the fight for a little bit. You can’t be switched off with him, I’m training really hard for him and taking this really, really seriously.”

Last month Clarke had to endure a brief but disastrous period when he was withdrawn from a mandated British title fight against champion Fabio Wardley. Promoters Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom were due to go to purse bids, but they were called off when it was announced Shalom and Clarke pulled out.

Clarke has had time to reflect on the situation and has been assured that some good will come out of what was a testing time for him.

“A difficult ten days, a difficult period,” Clarke commented. “Not ashamed to say that at all. It took a little bit getting over, looking at myself, looking at the people around me. Had to have a lot of good conversations and some good reassuring conversations but nevertheless [an] experience. I’m glad to see the back of that little scenario to be honest.

“Hopefully I look back and see that it’s worked out for me. Fingers crossed.”