Chris Clarke, The Multi-talented 5' 8" southpaw Welterweight out of Nova Scotia. After a tremendous amateur career, with numerous International Wins and Championships, Chris turned professional. By July 1979, the 22 year-old had compiled an 18-0-0 (13 KO's) record, and was positioining himself as a Challenger for the Welterweight Championship. Some were thinking that he might face WBC Champion - Wilfred Benitez in early-September 1979, but the 'Wunderkind' was not about to risk his big payday versus Ray Leonard in November 1979. This content is protected
Chris' first bout with Clyde Gray for the Commonwealth Welterweight Championship was a mini war in Nova Scotia. An amazing comeback performance from Chris. Halifax Metro Centre Tuesday Night - August 28, 1979 Attendance; 10,000 Chris Clarke came out fast, and in Round 2, cut Clyde Gray over his right eye with a straight left, and took command. But, by Round 5, Chris started to fade out, and Clyde took over. For the next 4-Rounds, Clyde just battered Chris, and had him out-on-his feet several times. In Round 9, Clyde pounded Chris to the ropes where the Referee - Herb McMullin stopped the action, and asked Chris if he wanted to continue. Chris just barely made it through the round. Chris' handlers put ice-packs on his temple's and opened up smelling-salts under his nose in between Rounds. Chris suprisingly came out fresh for Round 10, and boxed circles around Clyde, and then sliced a major cut under his right eye, sending blood flowing everywhere, making it difficult for Clyde to see Chris' left hooks. Gray's cornermen tried to repair the cut in between rounds, but Clyde could not answer the bell, as blood was flowing everywhere from 3-cuts. It went down as a TKO 11.
