Frazer Clarke hospitalised with gruesome facial injury after Fabio Wardley knockout

Frazer Clarke was rushed to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone after his brutal loss to Fabio Wardley.

The heavyweight pair clashed for the second time in 2024 after an electrifying initial bout that concluded in a split draw. However, the rematch in Riyadh saw no such parity as Wardley overpowered his rival in under three minutes.

Clarke hit the canvas early on but managed to rise, only to be floored again - two minutes and 28 seconds into the first round. He tried to beat the count once more, but referee Victor Loughlin called off the fight, deeming him unfit to continue.

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Replay footage revealed the severity of Clarke's injury, with a visible indentation on his cheek indicating a possible facial fracture.

Post-fight, Clarke was taken straight to hospital for further assessments, reports the Mirror. Wardley offered his best wishes to his opponent after the fight.

He said: "I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy.

"I want, whoever I'm in with, to go back to their family and I hope he's well, I hope I can speak to him afterwards because those first 12 rounds we shared first were special..

Wardley added: "I had to make a statement tonight. I appreciate the war last time and what a great spectacle that was."

"Made it nice and quick so people can get to sleep. I needed to close the book on it, not a 'maybe', we closed the book, finished in style and now we move on.

"I want world titles now. I can't wait to get that chance. The belts I currently have look lovely but I want the ones which say 'world champion' on them."