Frazer Clarke remains convinced that his trainer Angel Fernandez is capable of inspiring him to fulfil his potential.

After 10 professional fights Clarke is rebuilding his career, having suffered his first defeat – and done so via the damaging nature of a high-profile first-round knockout in which he sustained a broken cheekbone and jaw. 

He has also since watched Fabio Wardley, the rival who inflicted that defeat, be rewarded with a significant fight against Jarrell Miller on July 7, and seen, at 33 years of age, his future as a prize-fighter questioned.

Clarke is, however, an Olympic bronze medallist who in his first fight with Wardley – the entertaining draw of March 2024 – demonstrated sound boxing abilities capable of taking him, like Wardley, beyond domestic level. 

His fellow heavyweight Richard Riakporhe lost for the first time as a professional when in June he struggled in defeat by the then-WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith, and, in what represented a difficult year for Fernandez, Riakporhe has since recruited Billy Nelson to be his new trainer.

Despite missing Riakporhe’s presence in the gym Clarke insists he, and not Fernandez, was to blame for his defeat by Wardley. Fernandez will not only therefore be in his corner on Sunday – when he fights Ghana’s Ebenezer Tetteh at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England in his first fight since then – but, according to Clarke, beyond then, too. 

“I’ve thought long and hard about my career,” he told BoxingScene. “I spent a bit of time recently with Andy Lee and Joseph Parker, in his camp. Fantastic trainer; fantastic guy. I can see that he’s been there and done it, at such a high level. I’m not saying Angel’s done that, but what I also see when I’m watching him and watching other trainers are a lot of traits that Angel does have. 

“He’s a very good trainer, and he’s definitely improving – experience is something that happens with time. At the same time, I don’t jump ship because I got a defeat. I don’t give no blame to anyone but myself. Unknown to anyone going into that fight, I was the best version of myself ever, partly because of the part that Angel played in that training camp. 

“We had a dodgy performance from Riakporhe, against Billam-Smith, which didn’t shine a light on him – there’s a few different factors [relevant there]. I’ve been around a lot of other trainers and he’s as good as any of them. He hasn’t been in [numerous] world-title fights. [But] he’s very diligent; he loves the sport. Would I like an experienced head to work with us and oversee us? I’d love it. But it’s hard with trainers – a lot of them are very sure of themselves. I know a good trainer and I know a bad trainer when I see one, and other than that result I’d have showed it on the night.

“If you look at Anthony Joshua’s [second] fight with Oleksandr Usyk, when Angel trained him – I don’t want to hear none of that bollocks about Robert Garcia. That was nothing to do with Robert Garcia. That was all Angel Fernandez. Arguably that was probably the most that Usyk’s been pushed in any fight. That was a very good fight; really good. Angel’s earned his stripes, but he doesn’t do too many interviews; he doesn’t speak too much; he doesn’t like to defend himself. He wants to defend himself with his fighters doing the business. 

“I do miss [Riakporhe] in the gym. Richard was progressing so well under Angel. Some fighters and trainers have their differences – I don’t know everyone’s business – but I’d have loved to see Richard come back to Angel. He had a bad night against Billam-Smith, for whatever reason. I don’t blame that on Angel at all. 

“I take complete ownership for my performances always. I’m not saying Richard didn’t. What I’m saying is I think he could have progressed really, really nicely. I do miss him – I don’t like being in a gym where there aren’t many fighters. I love thriving off other fighters. I think you get the best out of people when there’s a good environment and people around.”

The 36-year-old Tetteh, who has previously lost only to Daniel Dubois and Dillian Whyte, is a proven opponent to test Clarke against as he resumes his career. 

Victory could make Clarke a potential opponent for his domestic rivals David Adeleye, Jeamie Tshikeva or Johnny Fisher, but thought fights with those represent a level behind Wardley’s with Miller, Clarke insists he doesn’t resent Wardley his next big fight.

“I wish Fabio all the best,” he said. “It could have been me but you can’t really think like that; what’s happened, happened. There’s some heavyweights I don’t particularly like but he’s actually a really respectable, nice guy. I wish him all the best. If the opportunity ever arises for me and Fabio to share the ring again I’d love that. I’d thrive off it. The first fight was great; the second was great for him. I’d love to do it again. But he works hard; he gets the results, so I wish him the best. 

“It’s all systems go with April 20. There’s not too much looking past that at the minute. It’s not overthinking about the opponent, even though he’s a very durable and tough opponent. It’s more about getting to show the things you didn’t get to show in the [Wardley rematch] and the things I’ve been working on in the gym. I’m concerned about myself and my performance – not too bothered about what anyone else thinks or says. I’m all about going in there and actually doing a job on my next opponent – it wouldn’t have mattered who it was. 

“[Tetteh’s] very durable. He throws a lot of shots; he’s very unorthodox; he gave Dillian Whyte a very difficult fight not too long ago. He’s experienced. He doesn’t come to lose, he comes to win; if you have a bad night you ain’t gonna be here, simple as that.

“He’s a little bit older. Even though they go in awkward angles I don’t think he’s got incredibly fast hands. His feet aren’t the fastest. That’s just things I’m looking to exploit.

“The way that the sport is at the minute, there is no route [back it’s worth me committing to]. You take one fight as it comes, and if the phone rings and an opportunity arises, I’m taking it – it’s that simple. As long as I’m injury free I’m always ready to fight. We’ll see where I go from this. A lot depends on performance and how I look. But I’m planning on looking fantastic. 

“I’m a real fighter and it’d take more than a fractured cheekbone to stop me from fighting. This is an injury I’ve had beforehand as an amateur. It won’t be the end of me. There’s no retiring in me – it’s not in my DNA to leave a job before I’ve finished. I’ve got plenty left.”