Riyadh Season Undercard: Wardley Stops Clarke In One Round

Was it round one or round 13? In the rematch of their all-action draw in March, Fabio Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) took down and took out Frazer Clarke (8-1-1, 6 KOs) in a single round, dropping and stopping Clarke in 2:28 seconds.

Wardley wasted no time coming straight at Clarke, driving him back toward a corner. He launched the same overhand right hooks that served him well in the first fight. This time, Wardley hit pay dirt and did not let Clarke off the hook. He landed successive hard punches, the last so hard it seemed to break Clarke’s jaw as he crumbled to the canvas with his eyes rolling back.

Frazer Clarke could not stand up to the barrage of power punches from Fabio Wardley. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Clarke struggled to get up, his jaw visibly out of place, grabbing at the ropes, but referee Victor Laughlin waved off without a count.

“I always know once I hurt someone, I can get rid of them,” said Wardley. “But I went into that last fight with a couple of issues. We got them fixed up. We got the game plan right. We put it together, executed on the night, executed.”

Wardley said he had his best success in the first fight when he was in ‘war mode.’

“We just needed it to be a little bit sweeter, put it together a little bit nicer, set things up a little bit better, disguise them a little bit better. But look, I can’t help it. War by name, war by nature.

“Once I have my enemies hurt, there’s no help for them unless that bell comes, that’s the only thing that will save you. If you still got time in that ring with me, nothing else is going to save you.”

Fabio Wardley says he has ambitions for world titles soon. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Wardley retains his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles but made it clear in the post-fight interview that he wants more. “Look, these ones look great and stuff. But I want the ones that say world on them, world champion. They’re the ones I’ll be hunting.

“There’s something in the air over here. Maybe it’s the people, maybe it’s the Saudi people. Maybe it’s the coffee, I don’t know, but there’s something here that gives me an extra buzz. So anytime His Excellency wants me back, call the phone him and Uncle Frank (Warren). I’ll be straight on the first flight over.”

Jai Opetaia Drills Jack Massey in Six

Jack Massey’s courage was no match for Jai Opetaia’s offense. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Jai Opetaia of Australia (26-0, 19 KOs) dispatched a brave Jack Massey of the UK (22-3, 12 KOs) with six rounds of work before referee John Latham decided Massey had taken enough punishment.

Opetaia was in command throughout the six rounds with a brave Massey doing his best but not presenting much of a threat to Opetaia.

“If felt good. I knew Jack was coming to fight. Nothing but respect to him and his family, safe travels home,” said Opetaia, thanking his team and relating he had a brutal camp with numerous challenges. “So many ups and downs, you know, but we stayed staunch, we stayed together, and we got the win. So this victory is for all of us.”

Opetaia retains his lineal/IBF cruiserweight titles and set himself up for a unification fight against the winner of the November 12 fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. He’s up for it, saying promoter Ben Shalom of Boxxer told him as much. Opetaia said whoever Turki Alasheikh tells him to beat, “that’s who I’ve gotta beat.“

Chris Eubank Jr. Shines, Stop Szeremeta – Bring on Conor Benn

Chris Eubank Jr. delivered the result he needed to set up a grudge match fight against Conor Benn. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Chris Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) delivered in his best win in months, stopping tough journeyman Kamil Szeremeta of Poland (25-3-2, 8 KOs) in seven rounds. Eubank Jr. wasted no time, dropping Szeremeta in the first round, and adding three more knockdowns. The final two knockdowns were on nasty body shots.

Credit to Szeremeta who got to his feet both times, but referee John Latham wisely decided Szeremeta had enough. The official time was 1:50 of round seven.

“I was having fun in there,” said Eubank Jr. “To be honest. I think I could have finished the fight in the first round, but it’s been a year out of the ring. I wanted to get that ring rust off. I wanted to feel the energy of this Saudi crowd, of the Saudi event, and it’s beautiful, man. I love coming out. I love the people. I love the atmosphere. I love everything about this place.”

Eubank Jr. complimented Szeremeta’s effort. “There are certain people that when they get hurt, they look for a way out. This guy kept coming. And I thought, ‘You know what? Body shots is what’s going to take this guy out.’ I don’t want to keep punishing him to the head. I was working on things me and my coach, my new coach, Johnathan Banks.”

There’s no doubt who Chris Eubank Jr. will fight next, as Conor Benn jumped in the ring. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Without delay, Conor Benn jumped into the ring.

“Speaking of easy work, look who we’ve got here? This is the fight everyone wants to see, huh? Yeah, I like that,” said Eubank Jr.. “You ain’t no pushing me around now, son, I want you next. We’re here. Let’s do it.”

“After that performance, you think I’m worried?” clapped back Benn. “Vamos!” The pair continued to squabble, stage a faceoff photo, and we’ll await the schedule.

Skye Nicolson Defends Title in History-Making Fight

Skye Nicolson retained her WBC World Featherweight title in Riyadh. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

It was indeed easy work for WBC World Featherweight champion Skye Nicolson of Australia (12-0, 1 KO), defending her title easily over ten rounds against Raven Chapman of England (9-1, 2 KOs). Scorecards were 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92 for Nicolson. It is the first women’s fight in the Riyadh Season series.

Nicolson beautifully employs her reach with an active jab her opponents cannot work around. Chapman scored single punches here and there, but it wasn’t enough to present much danger.

“I’m happy to get the win, obviously. I still have so much to show,” said Nicolson. “A key part of the game plan was offsetting her feinting and beating her to the punch.”

Nicolson has made no secret of wanting to fight Amanda Serrano in the past. This time, she called out undefeated American Tiara Brown of Florida, 17-0 with 11 knockouts. “She says she wants the smoke. Let’s get it on,” said Nicolson. Yes, please!

Ben Whittaker Escapes Fall to Earth Against Liam Cameron

At the end of five rounds, Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron crashed through the ropes. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

A shocking end to this bout and a literal fall to earth for British prospect Ben Whittaker. Surprising opponent Liam Cameron of Sheffield (23-6-1, 10 KOs) gave Whittaker (8-0-1, 5 KOs) a serious wake-up call. Cameron, who has battled against alcoholism and depression, has turned things around and was highly motivated to make the most of the opportunity. He backed up Whittaker with stiff right hooks and several excellent left hooks to the body.

With Whittaker looking for answers, the pair crashed over the ropes while in a clench at the end of round five. Whittaker injured his right leg in the fall, leaving the arena in a wheelchair as the fight went to the scorecards. It was a split draw 58-57 for each fighter and a head scratching 58-58. We scored it 58-57 for Cameron.

Liam Cameron got the split draw but believes he won the fight against Ben Whittaker. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

A dejected Cameron said after the fight, he was tiring Whittaker out. “Look, I definitely beat him. I don’t get a fair shake. I lose a split decision last time. I get a draw. What more do I have to do? I never had a promotional deal in my life. I tried to get a win.”

Asked if he thought Whittaker was looking for a way out, Cameron replied, “100 percent. He could see it coming. I don’t want to be critical, no one game me a chance. It wasn’t the Liam Cameron show.”

As we wrote in our preview, Whittaker needs to think a bit less about entertaining himself and regroup. There will be pressure for a rematch. Cameron deserves a decent payday for it.

Alakel Successful in Pro Debut

Mohammed Alakel celebrates his first pro win with his team. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Young Saudi boxer Mohammed Alakel enjoyed a successful professional debut against Jesus Gonzalez of Colombia (3-3), winning a shutout decision by scores of 40-36. Alakel showed good aggression and a snappy jab, which stung Gonzalez several times. The lightweight is trained by the respected British Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Joe Gallagher. Stablemate Natasha Jonas was on hand, cheering Alakel on.