Proud Clarke is beaten but not broken
THE stadium was far from capacity, but the reception for Patrick Clarke made it sound 13,000 strong.
When the Palm Island fighter took to the ring for his professional welterweight debut, he was followed by a passionate supporter base eager to see the proud 25-yearold take down Ben Horn.
While experience and fitness proved to be Clarke’s undoing, he did himself proud by going the full four rounds in an enthralling contest. Tired, beaten but still full of pride, Clarke said he would rebound stronger than ever from his first experience in the pro arena.
“It was crazy hey?” Clarke said, in awe of the support he received. “I’m happy that everybody showed up.
“I’m proud to be Palm, proud to be here and want to thank everybody for coming here and supporting me, it means a lot to me.”
Horn’s speed, with his brother’s trainer Glenn Rushton in his corner, made for a difficult introduction to Clarke’s first round in the ring.
But as the second round came to life, the local boy refused to die wondering, swinging hard and fast to put the pressure back on his more experienced opponent. At times, wild fists were thrown, with each making significant connections at various stages.
And despite the unanimous decision from the judges — ruling 40-36 40-36 39-37 in favour of Horn — the humble Palm Island local made plenty of fans, and impressed those already in his corner.
Even as heated as the fight became at times, the pair’s mutual respect for each other was evident.
As soon as the final bell rang, the rivals embraced in the middle of the ring, before Horn then made his way into Clarke’s corner for a further dose of congratulations.
While Clarke was unable to kickstart his professional career in the style he was chasing, he said plenty came from the fight that would strengthen him moving forward.
Experience in the ring was one thing, however he said more time on his side could have changed the result against his more fancied rival.
“It was fitness, if we could have trained six or eight weeks I would have been good,” Clarke said. “It was only a short notice, but I’ll be back next time. I’ll be staying active and working hard to my next fight, hopefully go good.
“(But) I have a lot of respect for him, he’s a good bloke and a good fighter.”
I’M HAPPY THAT EVERYBODY SHOWED UP. I’M PROUD TO BE PALM, PROUD TO BE HERE AND WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING.
PATRICK CLARKE