Clarke: I will be back stronger in 2025 (Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In his latest column, former Olympian and heavyweight contender Frazer Clarke speaks out on his brutal defeat to Fabio Wardley and lays out his plans to return to boxing stronger and hungrier than ever.
It has been a difficult period for me since that night against Fabio Wardley. Any fighter with any pride who has to go through what happened will know, it is not easy.
But I’m not someone to hide away. I had a few weeks in the dark. I was a bit upset, maybe a little bit embarrassed. But physically and mentally, I am okay. I am surrounded by good people and I’m a tough man. I’ve had to take it and move forward and I’m already plotting my return to the boxing ring.
I have a great team behind me at BOXXER and Sky Sports. Even at this point, there are already conversations happening over what is next. There are still big fights out there for me. Taking a loss like that can be really scary in terms of your career and that would be the case with a lot of fighters. But I’m positive there are huge nights still ahead of me.
My possible return date
I was given a strict recovery programme from surgeons and doctors. Not to sleep on that side of my face, no impact. I have a two-year-old son who loves jumping all over me so it’s been difficult. There are so many little things you have to be careful of. But a month later I am in a great place, I have done everything by the book.
I’ve done a few runs, I’ve been in the gym doing a few bits but of course I’m leaving the punching alone – no doubt as soon as I am back to that, it gets full-on quite quickly. So I will avoid that for a bit but I am keeping myself fit and ready. I am always excited about the future and even more so now.
Clarke was knocked out in the first round last month (Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
I have got to keep myself fit and healthy going into the New Year and March or April would be the perfect time for me to return. We still have a few things to get passed off by different doctors but once that is done we will have a clearer indication of when I will be able to fight again. The main thing is my health. But I heal well, I live right and I have that hunger. March or April would be great.
My take on the gloves story
I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t want to be in Fabio Wardley’s position right now. I got hit with a big shot. I still haven’t watched it back. The last thing I remember is being the wrong way around, facing out from the ring, I turned back around into a big shot and that’s all she wrote.
It …read more
Source:: Metro
