Heavyweight Wardley cleans out Clarke in one round

Fabio Wardley retained the British heavyweight title with a spectacular first-round stoppage win over Frazer Clarke in Saudi Arabia.

In a rematch of March's fight of the year contender, Wardley, 29, landed a heavy, looping right hand to hurt the challenger.

Clarke momentarily turned his back before Wardley continued the attack and floored the challenger with another ferocious right.

A dazed Clarke admirably rose to his feet but was in no position to continue as the referee halted the contest.

"I've got dynamite power in each hand. Once I've hurt someone I know I can get rid of them," said Wardley, unbeaten in 18 pro fights.

Clarke received medical assistance in the ring before heading over to congratulate the champion. The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist left before the result was announced.

Wardley and Clarke could not be split in their all-action first fight on Easter Sunday, but this was as clinical as it comes.

As the chief support to Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, both men fancied their chances in the build-up.

Clarke leaned on his amateur grounding with a smart double jab in the first minute.

But Wardley - who contested just a handful of unlicensed white collar bouts before turning pro - unleashed raw power to score his 17th stoppage victory.

"I can't help it, war by name and war by nature," Wardley said.

"Once I have my enemies hurt, there's no help for them unless the bell rings.

He now surpasses domestic level and plans to set upon a path towards world level.

"These belts look great but I want some that say world on them," added Wardley, still sporting a scar on his nose from the draw earlier in the year.

With the likes of Wardley, IBF champion Daniel Dubois and prospects such as Moses Itauma, the future looks bright for British heavyweight boxing.