Award is perfect end to a big year for Frazer
BURTON’S GB boxing star Frazer Clarke as rounded off a fantastic year by winning the Ken Norton award for best amateur boxer of the year at the Boxing Writers’ Club awards in London.
Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell, Peter McGrail and James Degale are among the previous names to have won the award.
Former world champions Frank Bruno, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe were in the audience at the Savoy Hotel and super-heavyweight Commonwealth Games gold medallist Clarke was delighted to meet
Dr Johnson Beharry, the war veteran who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the field after been ambushed and shot in the head in Iraq 2005 “I’m a fighter for the entertainment game, Dr Johnson is a real fighter for our country,” said Clarke. “The story he told us was mesmerising.
“He’s a real hero and it was pleasure and honour to meet him.” As well as winning Commonwealth Games gold in Australia for England and European silver six months earlier, Clarke has finally landing the number one spot for Team GB at the weight.
“It’s been a bumpy road with a mixture of highs and lows but I feel I’m peaking mentally and physically just at the right time, which is showing in my performances,” he added.
“Obviously, I get the best sparing in the world with Anthony Joshua but it’s about establishing myself, or Big Fraze as I like to be known.
“I’m currently number two in the world in the Aiba rankings but that means nothing on a piece of paper. I need to show people what I’m all about.
“I’ve got just less than two years until Tokyo 2020, where I hope to establish myself as the best superheavyweight on the planet and, on my day, I know I’m more than capable.
“The support I’ve had has been tremendous, from VIP treatment at Manchester United to assemblies at my former school, De Ferrers in Horninglow. I can’t thank people enough for believing in me and I’ll repay everyone by giving it my all at Tokyo.”
Clarke hopes to get a match on a show at his club, Burton ABC, in December.
It’s been a bumpy road but I feel I’m peaking mentally and physically just at the right time Burton ABC star Frazer Clarke