Frazer Clarke is hungry for the day he can shake up the professional ranks after admitting his lockdown diet of TV boxing has left him cold.
The 29-year-old super-heavyweight is intent on continuing the storied tradition of the likes of Audley Harrison and Anthony Joshua by triumphing at the delayed Tokyo Olympics next year.
Clarke poured scorn on the current state of the domestic heavyweight division by tweeting during Saturday night’s Wembley show: “I can’t wait to turn pro – I will eat these guys for breakfast.”
Clarke added: “I’m not foolish or naive enough to think I can run before I can walk, and I have no doubt there are many who are a level above me for now.
“But all those guys you saw box on Saturday night, I don’t think I’ll be waiting that long to be in the ring with them and c.”
Clarke, who is yet to confirm his qualification place for Tokyo after the process was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, insists so-called amateur boxers do not get the credit they deserve.
The Burton man has been a part of the elite GB Boxing programme since 2010, emerging in Joshua’s wake to seal his status as domestic number one with a dominant Commonwealth Games gold medal on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Clarke added: “I’ve seen these people get all the clout and shout when we’re just as professional – we train like absolute demons and we don’t get the recognition.
“These guys are getting covered on Sky Sports and their names are being thrown out there and everybody’s talking about them – well, talk about me, because it’s just a matter of time before that happens.”
One aspect of the current heavyweight scene that Clarke is relishing is Saturday night’s big fight between unbeaten pair Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois.
Joyce pipped Clarke to a place on the Rio Olympic team, going on to win a silver medal, whilst he has also shared a ring with Dubois who spent less time in the Olympic ranks.
Clarke admitted: “I’ve been on the fence for so long and I’ve changed my mind so many times.
“I would say Joe is a very effective fighter and if people under-estimate him they could come up short. It’s just really good for boxing to have this fight and I’m really glad it’s happening.”
