Heavyweight TKV Surprises Frazer Clarke to Win British Championship
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
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