Ben Shalom explains why Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke isn't on Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercard

27/06/2024 14:07

The much-anticipated rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke didn’t end up landing on the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercard.

Wardley and Clarke put on a fight-of-the-year contender in April for the British heavyweight title and there was palpable excitement among boxing fans when reports emerged that their second fight was a ‘possible option’ for the September 21 Wembley bill.

However, on Wednesday the full undercard for the Riyadh Season event was announced and there was no sign of Wardley vs Clarke.

BOXXER chief Ben Shalom insists that the fight will happen on its own separate card and has explained to talkSPORT.com why it didn’t make the cut for Joshua vs Dubois.

“There were talks about it being on this card [Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois],” he said.

“But at the end of the day Denny vs Sheeraz, Buatsi vs Hutchinson are the ones that happened.

“I think to be honest it’s one of those fights that it has to be very attractive to not headline your own arena.

“So, yes it would have been great for the card but equally it is going to be its own great main event and that’s why it’s not on the card.

“But as I say there as some great fights on there and ultimately the decision is down to Riyadh Season…

“Clarke vs Wardley sells out any arena in the country. It’s a monster in it’s own right.

“Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have bossed it for a long time now and to be able to get two heavyweights now who can sell out an arena and go on box office is huge for the sport.

“So I think we’re going to see that come to a head over the next week or so… It may even happen before Joshua vs Dubois.”

Even without Wardley vs Clarke, the Joshua vs Dubois undercard is one of the best to take place on British shores.

The co-feature attraction is an IBF super-featherweight title fight between reigning champion, Anthony Cacace – who snatched the strap from Joe Cordina in May – and former featherweight world champion Josh Warrington.

Just below them in mid-card slots are a pair of cracking domestic dustups between Tyler Denny and Hamzah Sheeraz, Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.

Denny is fresh off an upset win over Felix Cash last weekend and is on the lookout for another massive scalp in Hamzah Sheeraz, who many believe is the best middleweight in Britain.

Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medallist Buatsi takes on his toughest test to date in Willy Hutchinson – who recently revived his career with a massive win over Craig Richards on the Matchroom vs Queensberry 5vs5 card in June.

Elsewhere on the bill, Josh Kelly takes on Liam Smith while Mark Chamberlain looks to continue his impressive streak on Saudi-backed cards against Josh Padley.