‘It’s fantastic for British boxing’ – Olympic hero Frazer Clarke headliner as live boxing returns to BBC after 21 years
FRAZER CLARKE hopes to batter down barriers as boxing bounces back on the Beeb.
The Olympic bronze medallist will be the headline act as the sport returns to terrestrial television for the first time in more than 20 years.
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Frazer Clarke hopes he can help lead boxing’s comeback to the nation’s free-to-air screensCredit: Getty
Clarke has had to wait for his chance as the fight was postponed from October after 31-year-old Tshikeva suffered an injuryCredit: Getty
Clarke will take on Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva for the British heavyweight title on Saturday.
And the 34-year-old hopes he can help lead boxing’s comeback to the nation’s free-to-air screens, part of a new arrangement with the BBC and BOXXER, meaning more people can see his skills.
He said: “It’s fantastic for British boxing. It’s fantastic for the British public because it’s back on national TV
“With the way the world is now, a lot of people can’t afford the apps, they can’t afford the pay-per-views.
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“If you turn on your TV, turn on the BBC, people see whatever it is. It’s just good for fans.
“There’ll be some watching that haven’t watched a live boxing event for years and years and years.
“The older generation probably doesn’t know how to use the apps that well. So, I’m really happy for them. It’s great for me as well.
“And to be the first headliner at that first boxing event on the BBC in 21 years, it’s a proud moment.”
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Clarke – who was brutally knocked out in last year’s rematch against new heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley – has had to wait for his chance as the fight was postponed from October after 31-year-old TKV suffered an injury.
And he admits training has been tough, adding: “I’d like to say I’m enjoying it, but I’m not. It’s really hard now. I’ve been in camp for 16 weeks.
“I’ve also got a 14-week-old daughter as well. I’m not seeing much of my family. I’m away Monday-Friday, then I’m back on the weekends to spend some time with them.
“But I’m very fortunate to be in a position where what I do as a job is my passion, and it’s my sport as well. So I don’t feel like I go to work. I feel like I’m living my dream.”
Clarke was speaking at the opening of YFG Amateur Boxing Club’s new facility in the Saddleworth area of Greater Manchester.
And after starting the sport as a kid, he knows how important they are.
He told SunSport: “I was an 11-year-old who wanted to lose a bit of weight and was a little bit low on confidence.
“I walked into one of these places, but the environment, the people, the discipline it gave me and the confidence it gave me developed me into who I am today.
“These places are going to keep people off the streets, they’re going to stop anti-social behaviour, they’re going to get people away from the computers and the screens, keep them healthy and fit and that’s just great for society.
“I look at youth and I do see a lot of upset. I do see a lot of aggression, I do see a lot of built-up anger – and that’s not all their fault.
“But these places, you know, hit a bag, workout, the endorphins you get, the way it makes you feel, you leave here, you feel a lot better.
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“You can have a bad day, a bad week, a bad year, you start coming to one of these places regularly, you get some routine in your life, you start eating healthy, you start being around good people.
“And the thing about the boxing club as well, which I always found was, it opened my eyes to new people, different religions, different backgrounds, people from all walks of life. It just broadens you as a person.”
Jeamie Tshikeva (left) will fight for the British heavyweight title on SaturdayCredit: PA
