Clarke blasts his way back into title picture
Frazer Clarke celebrates first round win. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
FRAZER CLARKE – a 19st 10lbs juggernaut - is back in business after a one round blitz of African Ebenezer Tetteh.
At BP Pulse Live Arena, Resorts World, “The Eraser” took just one minute 52 seconds to erase the memory of last October’s quick British heavyweight title defeat to Fabio Wardley.
On the big Boxxer show, fans discovered Clarke, from Burton, still burns with belief. They also discovered Ghana’s Tetteh is as fiery as the traditional “kenkey and hot peppers” dish he promised, at a baffling press conference, to serve-up for the former Commonwealth gold and Olympic bronze medallist.
Things threatened to get out of hand as Tetteh, squat and menacing, raged and ranted over what he perceived a premature stoppage. He had to be physically restrained as he attempted to confront referee Kevin Parker.
Tetteh (17st 3lbs) eventually calmed, but left the ring in a huff before the result was announced.
The injustice Ebenezer fumed over was not an injustice. He was dropped heavily by a right hand, rose at six on very unsteady legs and was under a barrage of very big blows.
Mr Parker stepped in after another mighty right scrambled Tetteh’s senses. He was limp and vulnerable.
Tetteh came into the fight with impressive credentials – only two losses in 25 outings and 20 stoppages to his name.
Those statistics appeared flattering. He hurled haymakers against Clarke, his defence was leaky.
“I’ve been crying for that kind of performance since my debut,” said Frazer. “That felt amazing. I feel fit, I feel strong.
“He caught me with a nice, hard uppercut and that woke me up. I knew it was a big shot (I hit him with), I knew he wasn’t all there. I think the referee did a good job.”
Clarke added: “I want to get out again as soon as possible. All that adversity of fighting Fabio (Wardley) has made a strong, strong Frazer Clarke.
“I said all questions will be answered on Sunday night and I think I did that.”