British heavyweight Frazer Clarke says he is taking inspiration from former foe Fabio Wardley and believes he still has what it takes to become a world champion.
The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist faces Jeamie TKV for the British title live on BBC Two on Saturday.
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Clarke, 34, drew with Wardley – who is now the WBO world champion – in March 2024 before being knocked out in the first round of their rematch seven months later.
“If Fabio can do it – he has two arms and two legs like me, works hard like me, he’s a fighter like me – why can’t I?” Clarke told BBC Sport.
“Why can’t everyone else? This is to everyone in the sport. Keep grinding, keep going. If you work hard enough and with a little bit of luck it will come.”
Ipswich’s Wardley has had a remarkable rise from the unlicensed white-collar scene to world champion.
He won the ‘interim’ WBO title by beating Joseph Parker in October and was later elevated to full world champion when Oleksandr Usyk – who still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF titles – vacated his belt rather than defend against Wardley.
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Clarke says while he has regrets about his performances against Wardley, which left him needing surgery on his jaw after the defeat in Saudi Arabia, there is “no anger towards Fabio, only congratulations”.
The Burton-upon-Trent fighter added: “Where he’s come from to where he’s gone is a hell of a story. He’s inspiring for me and I’ll tell a lot of other people about Fabio’s story. So the respect is there.”
Wardley is currently looking for an opponent for his first defence, but Clarke is realistic about a potential trilogy fight.
“Honestly, he will be looking for a bigger name, a bigger money fight. But I’d never say never,” Clarke said.
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“Couple of fights, put myself in a good position – never say never. But I think to go from the possibility of fighting Oleksandr Usyk to then boxing Frazer Clarke – financially probably wouldn’t be in his mind.
“But this sport is crazy and the way things change and the way things happen.”
How to watch Frazer v Clarke on BBC
You can watch from 18:00 on BBC iPlayer before switching to BBC Two at 20:00.
The Clarke and TKV ringwalks are scheduled for 21:00.
The commentary team will consist of Rick Edwards presenting, Ronald McIntosh as the lead commentator alongside boxing expert Steve Bunce, unified super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney and retired world champion George Groves.
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From 18:00 on BBC iPlayer
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Bradley Goldsmith v Jordan Dujon (middleweight)
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Bobby Dalton v Joel Kudoa (English welterweight title)
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Jack Massey v Ivan Gabriel (cruiserweight)
From 20:00 on BBC Two
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Francesca Hennessy v Fabiana Bytyqi (bantamweight)
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Frazer Clarke v Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva (British heavyweight title)
There is also radio commentary from 18:00 on BBC Radio Derby and BBC Sounds.