I reckon Clarke will just about manage to make the adjustments required to win, but it'll be a grueller. Late stoppage.
I think this one ends early, either Wardley KO's him early or his nose doesn't hold up and it gets stopped. Spoke to someone last night who is out there and they said the nose looks even worse close up and is a real concern.
Clarke does not need much adjustment as he won the first fight by 3 rounds and robbed by the other 2 judges. Sugar Ray Wardley is going to feel the heat in Saudi. (@Holler trademark)
I watched the first fight again and his nose looked the exact same as it does now. Don't think I ever noticed all that scar tissue before, was it always there prior to the first Clarke fight?
Seems sink or swim time for Clarke who has been unimpressive since he turned pro. The heavyweight Tom Stalker. Haven’t got a clue who wins this.
Proper 50-50 but as @Beale says, no point sitting on the fence. I'm going Clarke on points - if he'd had a bit more stamina and kept his brain switched on, he'd have won by 2-3 rounds last time no problem. Watching the press conference now - it's a totally bizarre UK show in another country with a potential hall-of-fame fight buried in the mix despite being the main event. I guess Beterbiev and Bivol aren't big talkers or anything and it's maybe not a fight for the casuals, but ffs... Sky's promotion is putting Wardley-Clarke front and centre!
I see Spencer Braaaahn is being featured as one of the top dogs in this Riyadh Season back-patting again too...
Surprised Charlatan Eubank Jnr is not front and centre stage to set the scene for the Egg and Spoon Contest next year.
I haven't been impressed with Clarke since he turned pro either- a lot of top amateurs these days get paid too much and fail to deliver in the pros. At least he showed up against Wardley in first fight though- looking forward to the rematch
the bloke that arranged a few ‘evenings with’ and is now one of the most important people in the boxing world. Who is he a front for?
Wardley for me , Clarke has a quit in him in late rounds he will tire unless he’s got fitness from somewhere!
Sheik Dan Kin O Han will be pulling the strings and would not be surprised if he takes his usual seat close to ringside wearing full arab dress.