BoxRec

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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

I wonder what the Americans made of him?

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!"

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.

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 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.

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

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.