does Howard Clarke have the worst record of a one time challenger to a major title?, now stands at 27-49-2.
I'm just asking out of interest, have full admiration for Howard, know how much he puts into the game, a good little test for any young pro.
Howard Clarke
The first I saw (and actually remembered) Clarke was when he fought Michael Smythe to a controversial draw (I thought Clarke was a clear winner). I remember thinking then "This guy has got a lot of talent". I actually also thought that with the right guidance he could have mixed it in world class.
So when I read that he was getting a shot at the title a firstly checked the date to see if it was a wind up (April the 1st). Then I remembered his shocking win over Jason Papillon and believed the story. I was delighted, for him.
For that fight, Clarke was looking the buisness, he was ripped and competed okay - whilst he was in the end overwhelmed it confirmed my original analysis that with guidance he could have mixed it at that level consistently.
He came home from the Vargas defeat and for me the Pappilon win should have been awarded with an immediate British title shot, he was in the condition of his life and he really felt that he could do it. Unfortunately it never happend (apparently the BBBoC promised it) Clarke didn't have the time to maintain that level of training and became (for his standards) inactive and soon after lost to Farnell. From then on, he has gone back to old form.
Whilst I have admiration for Clarke, his story is still full of what ifs for me which is a shame. I think it was a huge mark for his ability when Vargas used to mention him as a tough opponent in some of his subsequent fights.
So when I read that he was getting a shot at the title a firstly checked the date to see if it was a wind up (April the 1st). Then I remembered his shocking win over Jason Papillon and believed the story. I was delighted, for him.
For that fight, Clarke was looking the buisness, he was ripped and competed okay - whilst he was in the end overwhelmed it confirmed my original analysis that with guidance he could have mixed it at that level consistently.
He came home from the Vargas defeat and for me the Pappilon win should have been awarded with an immediate British title shot, he was in the condition of his life and he really felt that he could do it. Unfortunately it never happend (apparently the BBBoC promised it) Clarke didn't have the time to maintain that level of training and became (for his standards) inactive and soon after lost to Farnell. From then on, he has gone back to old form.
Whilst I have admiration for Clarke, his story is still full of what ifs for me which is a shame. I think it was a huge mark for his ability when Vargas used to mention him as a tough opponent in some of his subsequent fights.