Frazer Clarke will undergo an operation to repair the damage to his jaw and cheekbone after his first-round knockout loss to Fabio Wardley.

Clarke was caught with a huge right hand in the opening stanza, which left the Burton boxer with a massive dent in the side of his head.

Wardley make quick work of ClarkeMark Robinson/Matchroom

According to Sky Sports, he has a fracture high up on his jaw, which is expected to take between six and eight weeks to heal.

Doctors don’t anticipate that he will need metal plates fitted and Clarke is hopeful he can be discharged the same day.

Wardley and Clarke put on a Fight of the Year candidate in March that ended in a split draw.

However, the rematch on Saturday night was over in two minutes and 28 seconds.

Speaking to Sky Sports after retaining his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Wardley extended a classy message to his adversary.

“I always take a prayer before my fight, always ask for me and my opponent to leave and be healthy,” he said.

“I want, whoever I’m in with, to go back to their family and I hope he’s well.

“I hope I can speak to him afterwards because those first 12 rounds we shared first were special.

“I had to make a statement tonight. I appreciate the war last time and what a great spectacle that was.”

Wardley moves to 18-0-1 as a pro and now finds himself in a strong position to challenge heavyweights ranked within the top 10.

Clarke was left with some serious damage on the side of his headMark Robinson/Matchroom

His promoter, Frank Warren said: “It was sensational. I didn’t expect it. I thought it would be a few more rounds.

“But that was some finish, he is a dangerous man… he has announced himself in a big way on the world stage.

“And we are blessed that we have got quite a few heavyweights under the Queensberry umbrella so he will be in some big fights next year.

“And he is an exciting addition to that level, we are going to get some exciting fights with these guys…

“I think he is ready to take on people in the top 10 now.

“His last few fights he has boxed extremely well. He’s got injured, he’s done 12 rounds.

“He’s certainly shown he has got the power and I just think now he needs a win against someone in the top 10 which will set him up for a big fight.

“He is very capable of fighting for a world title, there is no question about that.”

Clarke’s future is less clear after falling to the first defeat of his professional career.