Howard Clarke

vargas · Post by **vargas** » 13 Jan 2006, 09:38

I noticed on Fernando Vargas record that he fought Howard Clarke for the IBF Light-Middleweight title. Obviously Howard was a late replacement but surely they could have found better than him on short notice, Ensley Bingham for example.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 13 Jan 2006, 09:44

Howard Clarke was a much better fighter back then than the journeyman he has become

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 13 Jan 2006, 09:46

Howard had a high IBF ranking after beating Jason Papilon (??) and a good team that secured the fight for him...

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 13 Jan 2006, 11:26

I remember that fight, Howard didn't do too badly that night, he got stopped around 4 i think? But he wasn't totally demolished and put up a bit of resistance.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:26

I noticed that a few weeks ago; I didnt have Sky in 1999 and was a bit out of touch with boxing. I didnt know Howard Clarke fought Vargas for the IBF world title and was really surprised. Probably the most surprising British fighter to get a world title shot?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 13 Jan 2006, 15:02

Did the one and only Nobby Nobbs work Howards corner that night?

I wonder what the Americans made of him?

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 13 Jan 2006, 15:15

I watched this fight recently. Clarke did well. He kept getting up. Waved the corner away even. As he said himself in the corner after the fight, "fast hands!"

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Jan 2006, 19:15

It was horrible that Sky never showed the fight in full, as they were showing the bill live - but focused on hyping the Lewis vs Holyfield rematch and showed the Clarke vs Vargas fight at the end.

What I found funny, was Vargas get mentioning Clarke's name when hyping up other fights. Think it was when he fought Quartey - he mentioned his 4 title fights in person as to his style and he said it like the Clarke win meant as much to him as the others. When your talking - Yory Boy Campas, Raul Marquez and Winky Wright - Clarke must be so proud of that.

Knockout is correct, it wasn't a short notice job - Clarke's win with Papillon established a top ten ranking with the IBF.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 14 Jan 2006, 05:50

Was just thinking that Clarke must now have the worst record of any one time challanger for a major World title, anyone know if this is right?

Saying that though, Clarke is a good bloke who has helped out many a promoter at the last minute

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 14 Jan 2006, 07:18

I think Clarke was with Pat Cowdell at the time, not Nobby.

I also believe they subsequently fell out over money. I think Jacko (who used to post here) knows him reasonably well, if he still reads the board, maybe he can tell us more.

PROSPECT · Post by **PROSPECT** » 14 Jan 2006, 16:13

well without the ppl like howard clarke there would be no boxing today.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 15 Jan 2006, 07:41

topper123 wrote:Was just thinking that Clarke must now have the worst record of any one time challanger for a major World title, anyone know if this is right?

Saying that though, Clarke is a good bloke who has helped out many a promoter at the last minute

I don't know if you are right but I can't think of anyone who would 'beat' Howard on that score, Topper.