Clarke: "I'm a Winner, and I'm Devastated"

British heavyweight Frazer Clarke (8-0-1, 6 KOs) commented on the draw with the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley (17-0-1, 16 KOs).

"I'm devastated. I went into the fight to bring the titles back to my kids, and they're not coming back. Hopefully, we can make it happen. I think we can do it again. I'm a winner, and I'm devastated. I wanted to bring these titles back to Burton-on-Trent for my children. This isn't pain. Last week, people very close to me lost family members – that's real pain. I'm healthy. I got through this fight. I learned a lot. I showed I can do something in this sport – really can.

I knew Wardley was tough. We've seen it before – he gets beaten up, then he comes alive, so I was expecting that. At one point, you feel someone's energy just go, but with this person, who has so many knockouts, you have to be a bit wary. I wouldn't say he's the biggest puncher I've ever been with, but he definitely hits hard enough to make you cautious about going at him like that.

Deductions for low blows? There definitely wasn't any intentional low blow. I have a lot of respect for the referees. I just think there could have been a little inconsistency – he was warned three or four times. Maybe if points were deducted from him, who knows how it might have turned out?

Winning the fight would have really stuck it to the critics. I didn't win. It was a draw. People can talk about what they're proud of – this and that, but at the end of the day, the titles aren't coming back with me. It's not a loss; it's a draw. I told the team, 'Heads up – we will evolve.' For anyone who doubted me and my heart – I am Clarke, my father's son. If I have anything, it's the heart of a lion.

We all thought I had done enough. The rounds I won, I won much cleaner. I know he had a few flurries, and he has a lot of fans – every time he throws a right, they go wild. If the stadium were empty, would the scores be counted differently? Possibly. But, as I said, I respect the boxing authorities. Devastated, yes. I take full responsibility for not having my hand raised. I should have done more, and I would have been the champion," Clarke said.

On March 31, at a tournament in Greenwich, UK, Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley fought a 12-round bout that ended in a draw. This is the first draw in the careers of both boxers.