Frazer Clarke had fans and media scratching their heads at the end of a battle with Dave Allen that contained bizarre moments and animosities.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Medalist did the job in the end, but not after being deducted points for persistent low blows.
Tipped as a rapidly ascending heavyweight contender despite not yet setting the world alight, Clarke took the sixth knockout victory of his unbeaten eight-fight professional career.
Pitted against an experienced, wiley opponent in Allen, Clarke had to get his hands dirty. The fight was an ugly heavyweight brawl between two men with power in both hands.
It was excruciating to watch for the eighteen minutes it lasted. Both men were willing to take a few hits to give a few back, creating a mixture of blows landing and messiness from the first round.
Clarke dominated most exchanges through his cannon-like jab and superior size and reach. However, Allen remained stubbornly frustrated and hungry to stretch the fight to the later rounds when Clarke might have tired.
Allen also spoke to Clarke in the ring, which clearly affected the bigger man.
Frazer Clarke defeats Dave Allen
Clarke had serious success to the body but also landed some blows below the belt. This forced the referee to take two points away from him in what ended up being the final round.
Allen, however, retired from the fight due to the damage inflicted on him by Clarke, most notably to his jaw. There were also reports of a perforated eardrum in the aftermath.
It all means Big Fraze can continue his rise through the British heavyweight scene despite having words with Allen after the final bell.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the fight, Clarke said: “Not vintage again [from me]. But if you’re going to learn on the job, let me tell you, Dave Allen is the man to do it with.
“My feet were a bit lackluster, but there was some good stuff in there as well. He’s a tough man like I knew he would be.”
On his low blows, Clarke added: “I tried my variations. It didn’t backfire on me. Listen, it’s a fighting game. I’m a clean fighter.
“If it strayed low and hit the belt, then I apologize to Dave right now. It was never intentional.”
Eubank vs Smith 2 – Full Card Results:
Chris Eubank Jr bt Liam Smith – TKO Round 10 (1:45)
Adam Azim bt Aram Fanyan – UD (98-92, 100-90, 99-91)
Frazer Clarke bt Dave Allen – RTD Rd 6 – (3:00)
Jack Cullen bt Mark Heffron – TKO Rd 3 (2:43)
Mikaela Mayer bt Silvia Bortot – PTS (100-90)
Florian Marku bt Dylan Moran – TKO Rd 1 (0:54)
Lauren Price bt Lolita Muzeya – TD (Rd 6) 60-53
Frankie Stringer bt Engel Gomez – PTS 60-54
