Frazer Clarke has split with Angel Fernandez and started working with Joe Gallagher. The move follows his November loss to Jeamie TKV, a defeat that left him 0 for 3 in British title fights. Clarke says he wanted more experience in his corner. Fernandez, based in Loughborough, was his only coach since turning over in late 2021.
Gallagher runs a stable in Manchester that has produced multiple world titleholders. Clarke is trialling with him but hasn’t officially committed. He likes being back in a team setup after training alone at his previous gym. The question is whether a new voice fixes what went wrong or just delays harder questions about his ceiling.
What Experience Actually Delivers
Clarke spent 15 years at Team GB before going professional at 30. He won Olympic bronze in Tokyo but arrived late to the paid ranks. His three losses to date, two to Fabio Wardley, one to TKV, all came when British title opportunities were within reach. The Wardley fights were competitive. The TKV fight was not.
Gallagher has worked with Callum Smith, Anthony Crolla, and Khalid Yafai. He knows how to prepare fighters for high-level fights. But Clarke’s issue in November wasn’t preparation. He abandoned his game plan early and turned the fight into a brawl. TKV took advantage. Clarke couldn’t adjust.
Clarke won’t fight until April at the earliest. Doctor’s orders following the TKV beating, which went 12 rounds and left visible damage. His promoter Ben Shalom has him penciled in for either the April 4 or May 2 Boxxer show. Both dates are domestic-level cards. Clarke won’t be fighting for a title. He’ll be fighting to prove he still belongs in meaningful fights.
At 34, Clarke doesn’t have time for rebuilding phases. Heavyweights can age overnight. Wardley has moved on. TKV now holds the British belt Clarke couldn’t win. The domestic scene keeps producing new names. Clarke’s Olympic pedigree only matters if he can deliver performances that justify his ranking. November suggested he can’t.
Gallagher might tighten his discipline. He might help Clarke stick to instructions under fire. But Clarke has been a professional for over three years. If he’s still abandoning plans in round two of important fights, a different voice won’t reverse that tendency. The outcome remains uncertain.
‘Experience’ only helps if you use it right. Clarke had Team GB training forever and still fought like a beginner last time 😑 Changing gyms ain’t gonna change who he is inside the ring.
Switchin’ to Joe Gallagher might sound smart but what does that do if Clarke ain’t listenin’? He already been pro for years – you don’t suddenly become disciplined at age 34 😒.
‘Zactly! Old dog new tricks don’t work in boxing either. If Gallagher can’t fix his head, it won’t matter who in his corner 🤦♂️.
I don’t care how many medals he got, Clarke looks done to me. Three chances at the British title and still nothin’? That ain’t bad luck, that’s just not good enough.
Facts man! Olympian or not, you lose three times you gotta ask if maybe you not built for this level anymore 😤.
People keep blamin’ coaches but Clarke is grown and should know better. He ain’t some rookie no more. He needs to stop makin’ excuses and start actually performin’ in big fights.
I think changing trainers don’t fix nothin’. Clarke been fightin’ for years and still messin’ up. If he can’t follow a plan by now, maybe he just ain’t good enough 🤷♂️.
Exactly bro! A new coach ain’t magic. If Clarke keeps throwin’ out the plan every time, it’s on him, not the trainer 💯.