Frazer Clarke has begun preparations for his rematch with Fabio Wardley – by ducking and diving with Del Boy.
The British heavyweight finally got to meet his hero David Jason, the star of his favourite show Only Fools and Horses. Clarke, 33, is an avid fan of the hit sitcom and binge-watched shows during his amateur days, which involved long trips abroad where he would find comfort in the comedy series while holed up in a hotel.
But last weekend, just before he got news that his rematch with Wardley was finalised, Clarke headed to Milton Keynes for an Only Fools convention and got to meet the man who plays Del Boy Trotter and prove his fan credentials by showing him a tattoo on his leg inspired by the hit comedy.
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“That’s the first time I’ve ever met him,” Clarke said. “Being a fan of the show for so many years, to finally meet someone who has made you smile in so many bad times.
“He is a real gentleman, he gave me a lot of time. It made my year, really. It’s something off the bucket list. “We had a chat about the show, we had a chat about my career and boxing.
“I told him he’s helped me through so many training camps when it has been hard. He even threw a few shots at me! He was a real laugh.”
(Image: James Chance/Getty Images)
Clarke got Jason to sign his leg underneath his Only Fools tattoo and had the signature inked in straight away. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist fell in love with the show as a kid and has been obsessed ever since.
“I used to watch it at my grandparents house when I was younger,” he said. “The Christmas specials were always anticipated, it was part of our Christmas really. Then as I got a bit older, you get the gags a bit more. The humour is my sort of humour. Obviously when you’re in the sport that I’m in, it can be lonely.
“As an amateur you travel to countries where you’re far away and decisions and fights don’t always go your way, if you need a laugh it was always something to cheer me up. Only Fools is guaranteed to do that.”
Clarke thought he’d done enough to beat Wardley back in March in their first fight but it ended as a draw which meant his rival kept the British and Commonwealth titles.
But now they’ll do it all again on October 12 in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol undisputed light-heavyweight title clash.
It will be the richest ever British title fight in history. Not quite Del Boy and Rodney auctioning a watch at Sotheby’s but still a handsome pay day.
“I’m so happy it is on,” added Clarke. “I’ve wanted the rematch since the first fight. It could have been anywhere for me, anywhere in the world.”