Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke heavyweight title fight report

The Ipswich puncher shared a split draw with Frazer Clarke as they clashed for Wardley's British and Commonwealth title belts.

After a blood and guts war which saw Wardley drop Clarke in the fifth round and suffer what looks like a badly broken nose, the judges all disagreed as to the winner.

Wardley dropped Clarke in the fifth (Image: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer)
Scores were 114-113 Wardley, 115-112 Clarke and 113-113, meaning the spoils were shared.

Wardley, his face a mask of crimson, retains his belts - and a rematch surely looks to be on the cards.

Olympic bronze medallist Clarke started well, using his jab to win round one and landing some good uppercuts in the second stanza, bloodying Wardley's nose.

Fabio Wardley raises his hand after the classic fight (Image: Ross Halls)
Clarke continued to slightly edge the opening rounds, but Wardley turned the tide in the fifth, rocking and then dropping Clarke heavily as the round drew to a close.

He clambered off the canvas, but Wardley likely took the next few rounds, especially given Clarke was docked a point in the seventh for repeated low blows.

With both men tiring, and Wardley's damaged face meaning he was spitting blood and defiance, they simply went to war as the final bell approached.

The fight was announced as a draw (Image: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer)Both men had their moments in the championship rounds, and as the fight finished the entire O2 rose as one to acknowledge their titanic efforts.

With arguments and discussions all round the arena as to who won, the decision was read out.

In a fight that neither man deserved to lose, a draw was perhaps a fitting outcome.

A rematch is surely a must after such an absorbing, memorable fight - and Portman Road in the summer could fit the bill.

The O2 was packed, so you'd imagine a rematch of such a classic fight would merit the larger capacity at Portman Road.