FABIO WARDLEY knows his magnificent bloodbath draw with Frazer Clarke will have shaved years off of his life.
The Ipswich heavyweight was involved in one of the best British title fights of modern times.
He suffered a horrible gash to his nose and was spitting blood — before dropping 19st giant Clarke in the fifth round at London’s O2.
Both brave men took severe punishment and Clarke was deducted a point for low blows.
But Suffolk puncher Wardley, 29, retained his Lonsdale belt after scores of 114-113, 112-115 and 113-113 could not split them.
There is already demand for the rematch but Wardley — who had no amateur experience and started off as a white-collar brawler in local convention centres — is wary that 12 bloody rounds with an Olympic bronze winner shortens life expectancy.
Hiding his battered face under a baseball cap, he explained: “I am immensely proud. This was my 18th fight so I am still fresh and learning.
“But to put on a fight like that and provide the entertainment for the fans and give the belt the respect it deserves makes me immensely proud.
“My time for a fight like that was always going to come but I don’t want to be in too many more of them.
“I have probably knocked a few years off of my life with that, but it’s all in the name of good fun.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“It’s not an ideal way to box, it’s not an ideal way to fight, it definitely takes some years off your life and worries the people around you.
“So it’s not something I plan to do too often — but I went through the fire and that has value.”
Although Wardley floored Clarke with a flurry of punches, his opponent also had his moments.
Wardley’s No 1 fan at ringside definitely did not appreciate the gore-fest and she might rule out the rematch.
He added: “I was worried about my mum. Because I knew she would not enjoy watching it. My nose has seen better days. It was more of an annoyance because I had blood getting in my mouth and eyes.
“But in the middle of a firefight like that you are not going, ‘Ouch, that punch hurt’. I was just trying to crack on and get the job done.”
Ipswich Town football regular Wardley has been edging closer to a fight at Portman Road with each higher-profile win.
And another showdown with well-promoted Burton upon Trent star Clarke, 32, could fit the bill.
But Dillian Whyte-managed Wardley is a promotional and broadcast free agent, so he is not tied into a second showing and has earned the right to explore alternatives.
He explained: “The British title brings the best out of a lot of people — and it definitely did that for me and Frazer.
“We know how much that belt means to the sport and how much it means to us.
“I’ll never count a draw as a win but I still have my belts and there are a lot of options on the table.
“Whether it is the rematch or something else, we will take some time and we will reassess.”
