frazer clarke

Image provided by Ben Lumley photography.

Heavyweight Olympic medallist boxer Clarke to train at Loughborough

Loughborough Sport has landed a knockout blow as heavyweight Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has chosen the University as his new training base.

Clarke will work with world-renowned trainer Angel Fernandez at the Boxing Centre of Excellence as he embarks on a professional career in the sport following his podium finish at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 30-year-old made headlines around the world by winning bronze for Team GB in Japan and will now train full-time on campus as he looks to take his boxing career to the next level.

“One of the massive parts of me coming to Loughborough was the opportunity to work under Angel again,” Clarke told Loughborough Sport.

“We were in contact with each other around Christmas 2020 and I really enjoyed myself. Over that year, looking at the people and facilities at Loughborough I knew I wanted to be based here.   

“It’s a huge inspiration to see other elite level athletes – such as Adam Peaty – putting the work in and achieving great things in sport.

“I want to improve as a fighter as that’s a must for anyone in boxing. Being here is an honour and I firmly believe Loughborough is the best in the world in terms of the facilities, athletes, and how dedicated everyone is.”

Jo Simpson, Commercial Director, Loughborough Sport added:

“This is another landmark moment for our Boxing Centre of Excellence. It is testament to the work that we have pioneered through commercialising our performance support that athletes of Frazer's calibre are here at Loughborough.

“Our centre gives boxers access to the same elite-level strength and conditioning, nutrition, physiotherapy and performance analysis teams that have helped develop the world-leading athletes on our campus.

“For our students, it further develops the aspirational environment they are part of, with the centre allowing unique opportunities to work alongside world-class boxing talent.”

Clarke will make his professional debut on the Amir Khan vs Kell Brook undercard at the Manchester AO Arena on Saturday, February 19.

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 22/08

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022, and 10th in both the Guardian University League Table 2022 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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