Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke: Heavyweights set for an early night

There is a cracking night of boxing from Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with the undisputed light-heavyweight world title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev taking top billing.

Chirs Eubank Jr and Ben Whittaker are also in action, but the rematch between British heavyweight Fabio Wardley (17-0-1, 16 KOs) and Frazer Clarke (8-0-1, 6 KOs) is the highlight of the undercard.

The pair battled to a split-decision draw in March and the duo will go head-to-head once more in what should be a cracking all-British heavyweight title fight.

Under 9.5 rounds @ 9/10

The first bout between Wardley and Clarke was a contender for fight of the year. Skill and movement may not have been at the top level, and there was little in the way of defence, but when it came to a battle the duo delivered.

Clarke controlled the opening three or four rounds of the March bout with Wardley, but it was clear ‘Big Fraze’ was wary of the Ipswich boxer's power.

That danger became all too evident when Clarke was dropped in the fifth round and, while that appears to be a good indicator of Wardley's chances on Saturday night, it's not as clear-cut as that suggests.

There is no knockdown on the Suffolk fighter’s record but Clarke had the 29-year-old in all sorts of trouble, and it's a wonder Wardley managed to stay on his feet.

The final few rounds turned into an all-out war, and it's staggering that the bout made it through to the final bell.

The rematch comes seven months later and it's possible the gruelling, heavy-hitting and brutal nature of the first fight may have left its mark.

Clarke has contested only nine professional contests but the 33-year-old is a veteran of 89 amateur bouts and there are four barnstorming clashes with Joe Joyce included on that unpaid record.

In terms of approach and tactics, it's difficult to see the rematch not following suit to the first contest between the pair, given the styles and attributes of the fighters. However, the bout may not last beyond the ninth round on this occasion.

Fabio Wardley to win in rounds 1-3 @ 13/1

Wardley's chances of winning Saturday night's fight and keeping hold of his British heavyweight title are likely to decrease the longer the Saudi clash goes on, and that may see the Ipswich man go on the front foot early.

The champion dropped Clarke in round five in March and power will be the Suffolk man’s route to success, with little prospect of the 29-year-old outboxing the experienced amateur performer.

The round betting markets may offer an avenue to profit in Riyadh and, at 12/1, a small play on Wardley to win in rounds 1-3 makes more appeal than taking short prices about the Ipswich man on the fight betting.

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation