Big-hitting Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva Surprises Clarke to Secure British Championship

Boxing match action

Unexpected challenger Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva hurt Clarke in the eleventh round before winning the UK heavyweight championship on scorecards

Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva overcame Frazer Clarke by split decision to claim the UK heavyweight championship on a significant evening for the sport, as live professional boxing returned to free-to-air television for the first time in two decades

This wasn't a technical showcase at Derby Vaillant Live arena, with constant grappling and tying up, but the fight sparked into life when TKV hurt Frazer Clarke with a devastating left hand in the 11th round

A shocked Clarke somehow remained standing and weaved back to his corner team

As his coach prepared to pull him out unless he responded, Clarke declared he could carry on and bravely fought through the last round

The judges had it one fifteen to one thirteen and 115-112 for Jeamie Tshikeva, while the remaining official scored one fifteen to one twelve for Olympic medal winner Frazer Clarke

"It feels amazing I beat my opponent in his back yard," Londoner Jeamie Tshikeva, who was deducted a point for a body shot below the belt, declared

"I understood he was going to cling, but he started breathing heavily within the opening half-minute This isn't the Olympic competition anymore"

TKV Dominates Late to Stun Frazer Clarke

Boxing match action

Clarke had early success at the start but Jeamie Tshikeva - who was frequently admonished for body blows - finished strong in the championship rounds

Approximately 3,500 enthusiastic crowd packed the smaller stadium, taunting TKV on his entrance

Frazer Clarke, from nearby Burton-upon-Trent, received a loud cheer in response

Much to the fans' delight, he established dominance in the opening round, throwing a straight punch to the midsection before throwing sharp rising blows that definitely hurt Jeamie Tshikeva

But the fighter from Tottenham - whose family has a compelling story, with both his father and grandad working in the Zairean army - demonstrated his competitive heart and found his rhythm in the bout

The fight had originally been scheduled for the autumn before a injured rib forced Jeamie Tshikeva to pull out

The rescheduling stirred up bad blood, spoiling a previously respectful competition

The challenger's coaches constantly complained about low blows from TKV, some drifting in on the opposite side of the ring judge, who delivered a admonishment in the third

Moments later, another questionable punch caused Jeamie Tshikeva the lost point

Jabs were scarce; instead, the contest became tying up from Clarke and constant leaning from Jeamie Tshikeva, with lunging, predictable blows breaking up the contest

Jeamie Tshikeva had success with his left hand, and Clarke with his upward blow, but the two competitors absorbed the blows as if they were bouncing off stone

Right when the fight seemed to be slowing down, Jeamie Tshikeva - his right eye badly swollen - threw a hook that left Frazer Clarke stumbling in the 11th stanza

Frazer Clarke remained standing only by clinging to Jeamie Tshikeva, looking lost as the official approached for a better view

His coach, his coach, looked set on throwing in the towel, but Frazer Clarke insisted on fight on

He departed the boxing ring without giving a post-fight interview, still looking dazed

Francesca Hennessy Performs Well in Dominant Victory

In the co-main event, British fighter Francesca Hennessy increased her winning run to 7-0 with a dominant points win over former atomweight world champion Fabiana Bytyqi

After an eye-catching ringwalk complete with a choreographed routine together with a dance troupe, Francesca Hennessy, 21, showed sharp movement, clean punch selection and seamless combination punching

She had huge success by attacking the torso of the 29-year-old opponent from Czech Republic - who once held a world title at a lower weight class - as the scoring officials gave the entire fight to Francesca Hennessy

"Billion Dollar Baby on the BBC, let's do this, baby," the fighter from Kent declared, before calling out ex bantamweight world champion Shannon Courtenay

Clarke, TKV and Francesca Hennessy all played their part in what could be an crucial evening for British boxing

There may not have been a title fight or a well-known star on the schedule, but broadcast availability can connect with new fans, draw teenagers into gyms and expand the boxing in manners premium boxing may struggle to achieve

Time will tell what the true impact will be, but if even a few more youngsters join their local boxing club on next week, the evening will have had an impact

Anthony Thomas
Anthony Thomas

A seasoned casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in slot machine analysis and gaming strategies, dedicated to helping players make informed decisions.