Big-hitting Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva Surprises Frazer Clarke to Claim UK Crown
Unexpected challenger TKV hurt Frazer Clarke in the eleventh stanza before claiming the British heavyweight title on judges' decision
TKV beat Frazer Clarke by split decision to win the British heavyweight title on a significant night for the sport, as live professional boxing returned to free-to-air television for the initial occasion in two decades
This wasn't a technical exhibition at the Derby venue, with frequent holding and holding, but the bout came alive when Jeamie Tshikeva rocked Frazer Clarke with a heavy left hand in the 11th stanza
A dazed Frazer Clarke miraculously remained standing and staggered back to his coaches
With his corner ready to throw in the towel if he didn't respond, Clarke declared he could continue and bravely endured the final round
The judges scored it one fifteen to one thirteen and 115-112 for Jeamie Tshikeva, while the third judge went 115-112 for Olympic bronze medallist Clarke
"It feels amazing I beat my opponent in his territory," London native Jeamie Tshikeva, who was had a point taken for a body shot below the belt, said
"I knew he was going to grab, but he started blowing within the initial thirty seconds We're not in the Olympics anymore"
Jeamie Tshikeva Comes On Strong to Stun Frazer Clarke
Clarke had early success early on but TKV - who was frequently admonished for low blows - finished strong in the championship rounds
Around thirty-five hundred loud supporters packed the intimate arena, jeering TKV on his walk to the ring
'Big Fraze', from local Burton, received a enthusiastic welcome in return
Much to the crowd's pleasure, he took control in the opening round, snapping a straight punch to the body before throwing stinging upward punches that definitely hurt Jeamie Tshikeva
But the Tottenham man - whose family boasts a interesting past, with both his father and grandfather working in the armed forces - showed his determination and found his rhythm in the fight
The match had originally been scheduled for the autumn before a rib problem compelled TKV to withdraw
The delay reignited tensions, damaging a once-respectful rivalry
Clarke's team repeatedly protested low blows from TKV, some landing on the opposite side of the official, who gave a caution in the third round
Shortly after, another borderline shot earned TKV the penalty point
Straight punches were scarce; instead, the contest became holding from Clarke and constant leaning from TKV, with overextending, predictable shots breaking up the fight
Jeamie Tshikeva was effective with his left hook, and Frazer Clarke with his rising punch, but each fighter absorbed the blows as if they were bouncing off a wall
Just as the fight seemed to be slowing down, TKV - his eye badly swollen - detonated a hook that left Frazer Clarke stumbling in the eleventh round
Clarke stayed upright only by clinging to TKV, seeming disoriented as the referee approached for a better view
His coach, Angel Fernandez, looked set on stopping the fight, but Clarke insisted on continuing
He departed the ring without conducting a after-fight media, still looking shell-shocked
Francesca Hennessy Performs Well in Dominant Victory
In the supporting fight, English bantamweight Francesca Hennessy extended her undefeated streak to 7-0 with a commanding unanimous decision over former lower weight class title holder her opponent
Following an eye-catching walk to the ring complete with a dance routine with a dance troupe, Francesca Hennessy, twenty-one, showed sharp footwork, accurate shot selection and seamless combination punching
She achieved significant success by focusing on the torso of the 29-year-old opponent from Czech Republic - who previously held a world title at atomweight - as the scoring officials gave every round to Francesca Hennessy
"BDB on the free-to-air, let's do this, baby," the fighter from Kent declared, before naming ex bantamweight world champion Shannon Courtenay
Clarke, TKV and Hennessy each contributed in what could be an important night for British boxing
While there wasn't a world championship bout or a famous fighter on the schedule, but free-to-air exposure can reach different audiences, bring in young people into training facilities and grow the sport in approaches premium boxing may have trouble to accomplish
The future will show what the real effect is, but if even several additional youngsters enter their local boxing club on next week, the event will have had an impact