LONDON, ENGLAND – (May 18, 2023) – With a resumé featuring close-fought encounters with some of heavyweight boxing’s biggest names – including two-time world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and former WBA world champion Alexander Povetkin – Mariusz ‘The Viking’ Wach (36-9, 19 KO’s) is one of the most experienced veterans on today’s heavyweight circuit.
Next month, the battle-tested gladiator travels to London, England on a mission to bring all of his experience to bear in an effort to halt the ascent of British heavyweight contender Frazer ‘Big Fraze’ Clarke (6-0, 5 KO’s) in its tracks at London’s historic York Hall on Friday, June 16th, live on Sky Sports.
Clarke is no stranger to pressure or challenges – having succeeded on the biggest stage in amateur boxing when he won a bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2020 Olympic Games – but the clash with Wach will test him as never before and thoroughly examine his prospects for world-stage success.
Himself an Olympian – Wach represented Poland in the 2004 Olympic Games – Wach’s professional career has seen him consistently face the best fighters the heavyweight division has to offer, including his 2012 challenge against Klitschko for the unified world heavyweight championship.
The challenge was unsuccessful but Wach showed his quality and has done so many times since, including in bouts with top British talents Dillian Whyte and Hughie Fury on UK soil. A hostile crowd in London will not faze Wach.
Clarke has scored a string of knockout wins since turning professional last year, showcasing a blend of boxing finesse and ferocious power. Now Clarke is now eager for tougher tests to sharpen his arsenal as he continues his march towards the championship bouts which await him.
“I’m glad that we’re finally able to announce this fight and let people see the kind of challenges I’m looking for. Mariusz Wach is a very tough opponent, his record speaks for itself – look at the names he’s been in there with and the kind of fights he’s had with them. So I hope it’s clear to everyone now that Frazer Clarke isn’t afraid of anyone,” said Clarke.
“I’m in this game to be world champion and the pathway has always been carefully planned. A lot has been said about me lately but people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. Myself and my promoter Ben Shalom are on the same page and we’re executing the plan step by step. I expect to have the British heavyweight championship belt round my waist by the end of the year – but first I have to handle Mariusz Wach.”
Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO, added “This is a great fight for Frazer Clarke. Mariusz Wach is a very tough customer who has shared the ring with some of the biggest names in the sport with some memorable performances. Frazer Clarke is taking a big step up on June 16th but these are the challenges needs as he makes his way to the top.”
Dubbed ‘A Step To Greatness’, the BOXXER Fight Night at York Hall on Friday, June 16th features several hotly-tipped British fighters who are stepping up to take on serious challenges in search of wins which will move them significantly up the rankings.
Super-lightweight prodigy Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KO’s) headlines against dangerous Ukrainian Aram Fanyan (22-1, 4 KO’s), who brings three times the professional experience, is on the edge of the EBU top ten rankings and has lost just once in 23 professional fights.
And Caroline Dubois (6-0, 5 KO’s) takes on Yanina Lescano (13-2, 4 KO’s), who many believe should rightfully be the IBO world champion. Lescano – current holder of South American Lightweight Championship – lost a narrow split-decision in a title challenge against Estelle Mossely last year which many observers felt she had won.
