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