Big-hitting TKV Surprises Frazer Clarke to Win UK Crown
Unexpected challenger Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva stunned Clarke in the 11th stanza before claiming the British heavyweight title on scorecards
TKV defeated Frazer Clarke by split decision to claim the UK heavyweight championship on a important night for the sport, as professional boxing action returned to free-to-air television for the first time in twenty years
It was far from a technical showcase at the Derby venue, with frequent holding and tying up, but the fight sparked into life when Jeamie Tshikeva stunned Clarke with a powerful hook in the eleventh round
A dazed Frazer Clarke miraculously stayed upright and staggered back to his coaches
With his trainer poised to throw in the towel if he didn't respond, Frazer Clarke stated he could continue and courageously endured the last round
The judges scored it 115-113 and 115-112 for Jeamie Tshikeva, while the third judge scored 115-112 for Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke
"It feels amazing I beat him in his territory," London native TKV, who was had a point taken for a body shot below the belt, declared
"I understood he was going to grab, but he began tiring within the initial thirty seconds This isn't the Olympic Games anymore"
Jeamie Tshikeva Finishes Strong to Stun Clarke
Frazer Clarke had early success in the beginning but TKV - who was constantly cautioned for body blows - finished strong in the final stages
Around thirty-five hundred loud supporters crowded the smaller stadium, taunting TKV on his walk to the ring
Frazer Clarke, from local Burton, got a enthusiastic welcome in reply
Much to the fans' delight, he established dominance in the first round, snapping a straight punch to the midsection before throwing painful uppercuts that obviously bothered Jeamie Tshikeva
But the fighter from Tottenham - whose family has a compelling story, with both his dad and grandfather serving in the armed forces - demonstrated his fighting spirit and adapted to the contest
The match had initially been planned for October before a rib problem forced Jeamie Tshikeva to pull out
The delay reignited tensions, damaging a previously respectful competition
The challenger's coaches constantly complained about illegal shots from Jeamie Tshikeva, some connecting on the unseen side of the ring judge, who gave a warning in the third stanza
Shortly after, another borderline shot caused TKV the lost point
Jabbing were infrequent; instead, the bout descended into holding from Clarke and constant leaning from TKV, with reaching, predictable shots breaking up the action
TKV had success with his left hook, and Clarke with his uppercut, but the two competitors took the shots as if they were striking a wall
Just as the fight seemed to be fading, Jeamie Tshikeva - his right eye badly swollen - detonated a left hook that made Clarke staggering in the eleventh round
Frazer Clarke stayed on his feet only by clinging to Jeamie Tshikeva, seeming disoriented as the official stepped in for a better view
His coach, his coach, looked ready to stopping the fight, but Clarke demanded to carry on
He exited the ring without giving a post-match comments, still appearing stunned
Francesca Hennessy Shines in Dominant Victory
In the supporting fight, British fighter Francesca Hennessy improved her winning run to 7-0 with a dominant decision victory over former atomweight world champion Fabiana Bytyqi
After an eye-catching entrance complete with a choreographed routine together with a dance troupe, Francesca Hennessy, twenty-one, showed sharp movement, crisp shot selection and seamless combinations
She found significant success by attacking the midsection of the 29-year-old European boxer - who formerly owned a world title at a lower weight class - as the scoring officials scored all 10 rounds to Hennessey
"Billion Dollar Baby on the free-to-air, here we go, guys," the fighter from Kent declared, before challenging ex world title holder her potential next opponent
Clarke, Jeamie Tshikeva and Francesca Hennessy all performed in what could be an crucial night for British boxing
Although there was no a title fight or a household name on the bill, but television coverage can reach wider viewership, attract teenagers into training facilities and grow the boxing in approaches boxing on pay-per-view may have trouble to manage
Time will tell what the real effect is, but if just a handful more kids walk into their community boxing center on the following day, the night will have achieved something