Sonny to make pro debut on Brum show

Heavyweight Sonny Clarke…compares his ring style to Mike Tyson

THE countdown has begun for the pro debut of Sonny Clarke, a true all-round athlete.

The 21-year-old, trained by Richard Carter, will take his bow on BCB’s Holiday Inn, Birmingham, show on October 27.

Fans from around the country will travel to watch the Wednesfield heavyweight. He’s been in gyms in London, Nottingham, Smethwick and Warley. He’s lived in Manchester, Norwich, High Wycombe before settling in the Black Country.

“I moved down here from High Wycombe three or four years ago after my mum passed away,” he explained. “I was originally with my dad in Birmingham, then moved to Wolverhampton.”

And he’s certainly excelled at a string of sports. As a child, Sonny won the British jujutsu title three times on the trot. As a footballer, he was good enough to be signed-up by Norwich and when the soccer dream failed to become a reality, Sonny turned to boxing.

He’s also competed in mixed martial arts and muay Thai.

As an amateur boxer, his career was restricted to four bouts. Sonny still managed to walk away with a Midlands title and reach a CYP final. “From the start I was facing the top of the top,” he told me.

Sonny is itching to hear the bell that will signal the start of his pro career. “I’ve been training hard, I’ve done the work and, nerves wise, I’ll be composed,” he said. “I’m ready to get in there.”

Sonny – in the fencing business by day – certainly has the fighting genes to do well. His uncle is Howard Clarke, the outstanding Warley boxer who fought Fernando Vargas for the world light-middleweight title.

His second cousin in Lennox Clarke, former British and Commonwealth super-middle champ.

“In the past, Howard has given me advice,” said Sonny. “He’s a great man.”

The newcomer stressed he may not be a heavyweight for long. “The Holiday Inn fight will be at 15st 5lbs. After that, we may go up or down (to cruiserweight). We’ll see how it goes.

“For me, I box like Mike Tyson, lots of head movement, short shots, hit and don’t get hit. I’m looking for a finish, I’m not looking to do the four rounds. I know there are a lot of good friends who will be following the journey – I have supporters from up and down the country.”

British heavyweight boxing is currently bursting with talent. The future is bright. The future, the man himself insists, is Sonny.