The British heavyweight scene is crowded with talent including Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
But rising star Frazer Clarke is hoping to cement his name at world level alongside them in the future, and he certainly put his name in the spotlight on Easter weekend after an epic draw with Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 arena.
‘Big Fraze’ recovered from a fifth-round knockdown and inflicted a gruesome nose injury on his rival, and perhaps found himself unfortunate not to receive the nod in an extremely close fight.
Naturally if he’d have won, Clarke could have found himself thrust alongside domestic names such as Joshua and Fury, who are both heavily in the world title mix.
But in an appearance on talkSPORT Breakfast, the Olympic bronze medallist believes he will need to go through more stages to reach AJ and the Gypsy King.
“Talking about Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, you are talking about the top two or three in the heavyweight premier league there,” he admitted.
“I think we need to look a little bit below, I think there is a few levels we have to go through first.
“I’m sure with that fight we will have both improved and learned a lot, and put us a little bit closer to the names everyone wants to see us fight.
“But first we need to decide who is the best between me and Fabio, so we need to get it back on.
“I don’t like draws in boxing, I wasn’t happy with the draw definitely, he looked a little bit happier with the draw, but we need to run it back.”
Clarke went on to insist he thought he’d done enough to have his hand raised, but refused to hit out at the officials for their decision.
He continued: “I thought I’d won the fight, I knew he’d come back into it in times with a few good moments.
“But I was convinced I’d won the fight but that’s not my job, the rest is up to the judges and referees.
“And I definitely believe in respect for judges and officials so I’m not going to sit here and slander anyone, it is a draw and it is what it is.”
The pair received significant medical assessment after the war, and it is not anticipated a rematch talks will commence until fighters have fully recovered.
Any tilt with Joshua and Fury is set to be unlikely anyway, with the WBC world champion currently locked into a two-fight deal with Oleksandr Usyk as he searches for the undisputed crown on May 18.
Meanwhile AJ is awaiting news on his next move, but is in line to fight for a vacant IBF heavyweight world title after Fury vs Usyk has taken place.
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News Summary:
- Frazer Clarke explains what he must do to fight Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury after Fabio Wardley draw
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