Unexpected challenger TKV stunned Clarke in the eleventh round before securing the UK heavyweight championship on points
Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva defeated Frazer Clarke by divided verdict to claim the British heavyweight title on a significant evening for the boxing, as professional boxing action came back to free-to-air television for the first time in two decades
It was far from a technical showcase at Derby Vaillant Live arena, with frequent grappling and holding, but the bout exploded when Jeamie Tshikeva hurt Clarke with a heavy left hook in the eleventh round
A dazed Clarke somehow stayed on his feet and weaved back to his corner team
With his trainer poised to stop the fight unless he responded, Frazer Clarke insisted he could carry on and courageously fought through the final round
The officials scored it one fifteen to one thirteen and one fifteen to one twelve for Jeamie Tshikeva, while the final judge saw it one fifteen to one twelve for Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke
"This is incredible I whooped that boy in his hometown," London native TKV, who was deducted a point for a low blow, stated
"I was aware he was going to hold on, but he started breathing heavily within the opening half-minute This isn't the Olympics anymore"
Jeamie Tshikeva Comes On Strong to Shock Frazer Clarke
Clarke had some success early on but TKV - who was constantly cautioned for body blows - finished strong in the final stages
Around thirty-five hundred enthusiastic crowd filled the compact venue, jeering Jeamie Tshikeva on his ring walk
'Big Fraze', from nearby Burton-upon-Trent, earned a loud cheer in reply
To the crowd's pleasure, he took control in the first round, snapping a jab to the torso before ripping in painful rising blows that clearly troubled TKV
But the London boxer - whose family boasts a compelling story, with both his dad and grandfather serving in the Zairean army - demonstrated his competitive heart and adapted to the contest
The match had originally been scheduled for last October before a rib problem compelled Jeamie Tshikeva to pull out
The delay stirred up bad blood, souring a once-respectful rivalry
The challenger's coaches repeatedly protested body punches from Jeamie Tshikeva, some connecting on the blindside of the ring judge, who delivered a warning in the third stanza
Soon afterward, another debatable blow caused TKV the lost point
Jabbing were scarce; instead, the fight turned into holding from Frazer Clarke and constant leaning from TKV, with lunging, telegraphed punches breaking up the contest
Jeamie Tshikeva was effective with his left hook, and Frazer Clarke with his uppercut, but the two competitors absorbed the blows as if they were hitting concrete
Just as the bout seemed to be slowing down, Jeamie Tshikeva - his right eye badly swollen - landed a left hand that left Frazer Clarke staggering in the 11th stanza
Frazer Clarke stayed on his feet only by leaning into TKV, seeming disoriented as the official stepped in for a closer look
His coach, his coach, looked set on stopping the fight, but Frazer Clarke insisted he continuing
He left the ring without conducting a after-fight media, still appearing stunned
Francesca Hennessy Performs Well in Dominant Win
In the co-main event, English bantamweight Francesca Hennessy extended her perfect record to seven wins, no losses with a overwhelming points win over former atomweight world champion Fabiana Bytyqi
Following an impressive entrance including a dance routine with a dance troupe, Hennessy, twenty-one, demonstrated sharp footwork, crisp punch selection and smooth combination punching
She found huge success by targeting the midsection of the twenty-nine-year-old opponent from Czech Republic - who once held a world championship at atomweight - as all three judges awarded all 10 rounds to Hennessey
"Billion Dollar Baby on the BBC, let's do this, everyone," the southern boxer declared, before challenging former world title holder her potential next opponent
Frazer Clarke, Jeamie Tshikeva and Francesca Hennessy each contributed in what could be an significant evening for boxing in Britain
There may not have been a title fight or a well-known star on the card, but broadcast availability can connect with different audiences, bring in young people into training facilities and develop the sport in approaches subscription boxing may struggle to achieve
Time will tell what the actual significance will be, but if just a handful more youngsters walk into their community boxing center on Monday, the event will have achieved something
