Matchroom BoxingFrazer Clarke today had successful surgery following his stunning and sobering one-loss to Fabio Wardley that left him with a fractured jaw in Saudi Arabia.
Clarke found himself trapped on the ropes with his back to Wardley when the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion unleashed a hellacious right hook to leave Clarke visibly injured to the head and in a state of apparent shock.
The referee, Victor Loughlin, initially issued a standing count before realising the extent of Clarke’s condition when he stopped the fight immediately. The fracture, situated high up on the left side of his jaw, was apparent from a dent in his face and bone misplacement.
Clarke, 33, was taken straight to hospital from where his injury was diagnosed as a zygomatic fracture and an operation was carried out Sunday on his jaw and cheekbone to restore normal facial contour and symmetry.
Promoter Ben Shalom said: "Frazer successfully underwent minor surgery today. He's feeling well and rested and will head back to the UK this evening for further recovery with his family.
"He would like to sincerely pass on his thanks and we hope for a speedy recovery."
According to the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a zygomatic fracture “can be considered non-vulnerable to reopening or contamination” three weeks after it has healed.
Clarke’s defeat came seven months after he and Wardley shared a rousing 12-rounder at the O2 Arena in London.
“I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy,” Wardley said after winning the return. “I want, whoever I’m with, to go back to their family and I hope he’s well, I hope I can speak to him because those first 12 rounds we shared were special.”
