Heavyweight TKV Surprises Frazer Clarke to Win British Championship

Boxing match action

Underdog TKV hurt Clarke in the eleventh stanza before winning the British heavyweight title on judges' decision

TKV defeated Clarke by divided verdict to claim the UK heavyweight championship on a significant night for the sport, as professional boxing action came back to free-to-air television for the first time in two decades

This wasn't a display of technical skill at Derby Vaillant Live arena, with frequent clinch work and clinching, but the contest came alive when Jeamie Tshikeva stunned Frazer Clarke with a devastating hook in the eleventh stanza

A shocked Clarke somehow stayed upright and stumbled back to his corner

As his coach prepared to throw in the towel unless he responded, Frazer Clarke insisted he could continue and valiantly endured the concluding stanza

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

"This is incredible I beat my opponent in his territory," Londoner Jeamie Tshikeva, who was lost a point for a body shot below the belt, stated

"I was aware he was going to hold on, but he started breathing heavily within the opening half-minute We are not at the Olympics anymore"

Jeamie Tshikeva Comes On Strong to Shock Clarke

Boxing match action

Clarke had early success in the beginning but TKV - who was constantly cautioned for illegal shots - finished strong in the championship rounds

Approximately thirty-five hundred enthusiastic crowd packed the smaller stadium, jeering Jeamie Tshikeva on his entrance

Frazer Clarke, from local Burton-upon-Trent, received a loud cheer in reply

To the crowd's pleasure, he took control in the initial stanza, firing a straight punch to the torso before throwing painful upward punches that definitely hurt TKV

But the Tottenham man - whose family boasts a interesting past, with both his father and grandad working in the Zairean army - showed his determination and found his rhythm in the fight

The fight had originally been set for last October before a injured rib forced TKV to pull out

The postponement stirred up bad blood, damaging a previously respectful competition

The challenger's coaches repeatedly protested low blows from Jeamie Tshikeva, some landing on the blindside of the referee, who delivered a caution in the third stanza

Moments later, another questionable punch resulted in Jeamie Tshikeva the penalty point

Straight punches were scarce; instead, the fight descended into holding from Clarke and weight pushing from Jeamie Tshikeva, with overextending, telegraphed blows interrupting the contest

TKV found success with his left hook, and Frazer Clarke with his uppercut, but both men soaked up the blows as if they were hitting stone

Right when the contest seemed to be petering out, TKV - his eye significantly puffed - threw a left hand that made Clarke stumbling in the 11th stanza

Frazer Clarke stayed on his feet only by leaning into Jeamie Tshikeva, seeming disoriented as the referee stepped in for a inspection

His trainer, his coach, looked set on pulling him out, but Frazer Clarke insisted on continuing

He left the ring without conducting a post-match comments, still seeming stunned

'Billion Dollar Baby' Shines in Stylish Victory

In the co-main event, British fighter Francesca 'Billion Dollar Baby' Hennessy extended her undefeated streak to seven wins, no losses with a commanding points win over former atomweight title holder her opponent

Following an spectacular walk to the ring including a dance routine with a group of dancers, Hennessy, twenty-one, showed precise footwork, accurate punch selection and seamless combinations

She found huge success by attacking the midsection of the 29-year-old Czech fighter - who formerly owned a championship belt at atomweight - as the scoring officials awarded every round to Francesca Hennessy

"Billion Dollar Baby on the television, let's do this, baby," the Kent fighter said, before calling out former bantamweight world champion her potential next opponent

Clarke, Jeamie Tshikeva and Francesca Hennessy all performed in what could be an crucial evening for British boxing

Although there was no a world-title fight or a well-known star on the bill, but free-to-air exposure can attract new fans, bring in teenagers into gyms and expand the boxing in approaches premium boxing may struggle to accomplish

Time will tell what the actual significance is, but if even several additional youngsters walk into their local boxing club on Monday, the night will have made its mark

Alexis Clark
Alexis Clark

Lena Schmidt is a Berlin-based journalist and political analyst with over a decade of experience covering European affairs.