Ste Clarke Vows to Continue Liverpool's Rich Boxing Heritage
Ste Clarke, a rising star in the boxing world, is set to make his highly-anticipated return to competitive action this evening at the Liverpool Arena. The 24-year-old prodigy, who hails from the iconic Rotunda ABC gym, is determined to follow in the footsteps of some of Liverpool's finest boxers, including legends like Tony Bellew, David Price, Natasha Jonas, and the Smith brothers.
A Homecoming Fight with High Stakes
Clarke's bout is part of a stacked card headlined by fellow Scouser Nick Ball, who will defend his WBA featherweight title against Brandon Figueroa. For Clarke, this marks his fifth fight in front of his home fans, a setting he deeply cherishes. "Fighting in Liverpool's special because you've got the whole crowd behind you," he explained in an exclusive interview. "The support's unreal, and it's good fighting at home."
Since his professional debut in 2024, Clarke has been exceptionally active in the ring, showcasing his skills and ambition. Under the guidance of legendary trainer Stephen Smith, he is targeting title shots within the next year, with the sky seemingly the limit for this Scouse scrapper.
Inspired by Local Heroes
The walls of Rotunda ABC are adorned with images of boxing greats, serving as a constant source of inspiration for Clarke. While he acknowledges he has a long way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as these Liverpool heroes, it remains a primary goal. "That'd mean everything to me. To be honest, that's why I'm in boxing. I want to be one of the best," Clarke stated. "I want to be known as one of the best out of the city."
He emphasized the importance of discipline and hard work, adding, "I've just got to stay disciplined, stay working hard, keep putting on good performances, and then hopefully one day that will happen."
Balancing Passion for Boxing and Football
A proud Liverpool native and Everton supporter, Clarke faces a unique challenge as his beloved team plays just minutes before he steps into the ring. He admitted that a loss could affect his mood but tries not to let football impact his performance too much. "If we lose, I'm a bit gutted, but I know I've got a big task ahead of me," he said. "It might make me a bit more angry going into the ring if we get beat, so it could work both ways."
As Clarke prepares for his fight against Lewis Howells, the boxing community watches closely to see if this young talent can continue his rise and one day join the pantheon of Liverpool's boxing legends.
