Big-hitting Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva Stuns Frazer Clarke to Claim British Crown

TKV beat Frazer Clarke by split-decision to win the UK heavyweight championship on a significant night for the boxing, as live professional boxing came back to free-to-air television for the first time in two decades

This wasn't a technical exhibition at Derby Vaillant Live arena, with regular clinch work and tying up, but the contest came alive when Jeamie Tshikeva rocked Clarke with a devastating left hand in the 11th round

A shocked Clarke miraculously remained standing and stumbled back to his coaches

With his trainer poised to stop the fight unless he showed improvement, Frazer Clarke declared he could continue and courageously endured the final round

The officials scored it one fifteen to one thirteen and one fifteen to one twelve for TKV, while the final judge went one fifteen to one twelve for Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke

"It feels amazing I dominated that boy in his territory," Londoner TKV, who was deducted a point for a illegal blow, declared

"I was aware he was going to grab, but he started blowing within the initial thirty seconds We are not at the Olympic competition anymore"

Jeamie Tshikeva Comes On Strong to Surprise Frazer Clarke

Around thirty-five hundred enthusiastic crowd packed the smaller stadium, booing Jeamie Tshikeva on his walk to the ring

'Big Fraze', from nearby Burton-upon-Trent, received a rousing reception in response

Much to the crowd's pleasure, he established dominance in the first round, snapping a jab to the torso before ripping in painful uppercuts that definitely hurt TKV

But the London boxer - whose background includes a fascinating history, with both his father and grandad working in the military forces of Zaire - showed his determination and settled into the contest

The match had originally been set for the autumn before a rib injury compelled TKV to withdraw

The rescheduling reignited tensions, souring a formerly civil contest

The challenger's coaches frequently objected to illegal shots from Jeamie Tshikeva, some drifting in on the unseen side of the referee, who gave a warning in the third

Soon afterward, another questionable punch earned Jeamie Tshikeva the point deduction

Straight punches were infrequent; instead, the contest became holding from Clarke and heavy leaning from TKV, with overextending, obvious shots breaking up the contest

TKV had success with his left hand, and Clarke with his rising punch, but each fighter took the shots as if they were bouncing off concrete

Right when the contest seemed to be fading, TKV - his eye significantly puffed - landed a hook that made Frazer Clarke reeling in the 11th stanza

Frazer Clarke remained standing only by clinging to TKV, looking lost as the official approached for a inspection

His coach, his coach, looked ready to pulling him out, but Frazer Clarke insisted on carry on

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

Francesca Hennessy Shines in Dominant Victory

In the supporting fight, English fighter Francesca 'Billion Dollar Baby' Hennessy improved her perfect record to 7-0 with a overwhelming unanimous decision over former atomweight title holder Fabiana Bytyqi

Following an eye-catching walk to the ring including a performance together with a group of dancers, Hennessy, 21, demonstrated precise footwork, crisp choice of punches and smooth combinations

She found huge success by attacking the midsection of the 29-year-old Czech fighter - who formerly owned a championship belt at a lower weight class - as all three judges scored every round to Hennessey

"Billion Dollar Baby on the BBC, here we go, baby," the Kent fighter said, before calling out former bantamweight world champion her potential next opponent

Frazer Clarke, TKV and Hennessy all played their part in what could be an important night for UK boxing

There may not have been a title fight or a famous fighter on the card, but broadcast availability can reach wider viewership, draw teenagers into boxing gyms and expand the sport in manners boxing on pay-per-view may struggle to accomplish

Time will tell what the real effect is, but if even several additional children enter their community boxing center on Monday, the event will have had an impact