BRAGGING RIGHTS

They don’t come much bigger than in Britain. It might be a postcode, it might be something much more deep-rooted, or it might just be the sheer desire to be number one.

Whatever the backstory, British rivalries are unparalleled.

Part of that is because they are the best to win, and the most despairingly horrible to lose.

So, when Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke take that expectant step forward upon Sunday’s first bell, just know that they are fighting for a lot more than the coveted Lonsdale belt.

The friction between the pair isn’t really one with much history. It dates back barely a year ago, when promoter Ben Shalom pulled Clarke from the mandated British title purse bid.

Branded a coward, it was easy to see why Clarke got his back up.

But in truth, it didn’t make sense. Here is an Olympic Bronze medallist, being denied the chance to meet a once white-collar brawler for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.

In reality, the paths of these two should have never crossed.

Clarke’s credibility was on the floor, whilst Wardley stood tall as an avoided, revered, and accelerating heavyweight with limitless career possibilities. He had the boxing streets.

Things got better for Wardley, too. After eating carpet himself at the London launch, he gave David Adeleye a taste of the Saudi mat by dispatching of him in a dominant seven rounds.

Clarke, meanwhile, trotted to two fairly uninspiring wins over Mariusz Wach and Dave Allen.

I say uninspiring, Clarke barely gave up even a second of any round on his way to 8-0. Yet it all felt very one-paced. Compare that to Wardley, who was radiating entertainment.

Two vastly different journeys and, so far, two contrasting outcomes.

I think that’s what tees us up for an absolute corker at the O2 come Sunday evening. Of course, we need something in the ring, and something that will hook us right from the bell.

But we also need a story worth investing in, and with these two big men we have it.

What we’ll actually get in the ring, well, that seems like a tale of two possibilities.

If Big Fraze gets what he wants, then Wardley runs headfirst into a stiff jab for 36 minutes. If Wardley gets what he desires, then a dogfight ends up with Clarke staring up at the London sky.

Granted, things never work out exactly how they should.

For example, the prospect of Clarke stopping Wardley should not be overlooked - piece him up, force him forward, and put enough heat on him to force the referee into making a call.

The prospect of Wardley boxing Clarke is perhaps a touch more far-fetched. However, we are in a game in which we have recently seen Francis Ngannou run Tyson Fury to the wire.

So honestly, f*** knows what to expect.

Just sit back and enjoy.

Happy Easter!

Oscar Bevis

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