Frazer Clarke undergoes successful surgery after Fabio Wardley defeat

Frazer Clarke has undergone successful surgery following his first-round knockout defeat to Fabio Wardley and is expected to return to the UK on Sunday night.

Wardley took just two minutes and 28 seconds to beat Clarke in their rematch at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

Clarke went to hospital and, according to Sky Sports , has a fracture at the top of his jaw which requires an operation, but he won’t need to have plates fitted. The 33-year-old’s recovery will take between six and eight weeks.

Promoter Ben Shalom said in a statement on Sunday: "Frazer successfully underwent a minor surgery today. He's feeling well and rested and will head back to the UK this evening to further recover with his family.

"He's feeling more motivated than ever to come back bigger and better in the new year. He would like to sincerely pass on his thanks to well-wishers and we hope for a speedy recovery."

Clarke and Wardley put on a Fight of the Year candidate during their first bout in March which ended in a split draw.

And after defending his British and Commonwealth heavyweight championships in the rematch, Wardley sent a message of support to his rival.

"I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy," he said.

"I want, whoever I'm in with, to go back to their family and I hope he's well, I hope I can speak to him afterwards because those first 12 rounds we shared first were special.

"I had to make a statement tonight. I appreciate the war last time and what a great spectacle that was.

"I'm ready to mix it with those boys. I've got the power to mix it with them all, I can take a shot, and I can have a war.

"You've seen me do everything. I'm ready for that world stage now."

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