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TKV overcame Frazer Clarke by split decision to secure the UK heavyweight championship on a important night for the sport, as live professional boxing came back to BBC linear television for the initial occasion in twenty years

It was far from a display of technical skill at the Derby venue, with frequent grappling and holding, but the fight sparked into life when Jeamie Tshikeva hurt Frazer Clarke with a devastating left hand in the 11th round

A stunned Clarke miraculously stayed on his feet and stumbled back to his coaches

As his coach prepared to stop the fight if he didn't respond, Frazer Clarke stated he could fight on and valiantly survived the concluding stanza

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

"This is incredible I dominated that boy in his back yard," London native TKV, who was deducted a point for a illegal blow, declared

"I was aware he was going to hold on, but he began tiring within the opening half-minute We're not in the Olympics anymore"

TKV Comes On Strong to Surprise Clarke

Around thirty-five hundred vocal fans filled the smaller stadium, taunting TKV on his entrance

Frazer Clarke, from nearby Burton, earned a rousing reception in return

Much to the crowd's pleasure, he asserted himself in the opening round, snapping a jab to the torso before landing painful uppercuts that obviously bothered TKV

But the London boxer - whose family has a compelling story, with both his dad and grandfather working in the military forces of Zaire - demonstrated his fighting spirit and found his rhythm in the fight

The bout had originally been scheduled for October before a rib injury compelled Jeamie Tshikeva to pull out

The delay reignited tensions, souring a previously respectful competition

Clarke's team constantly complained about low blows from TKV, some drifting in on the opposite side of the referee, who issued a caution in the third round

Soon afterward, another questionable punch resulted in Jeamie Tshikeva the lost point

Jabs were rare; instead, the contest descended into tying up from Clarke and heavy leaning from TKV, with lunging, obvious shots interrupting the action

TKV had success with his hook, and Frazer Clarke with his rising punch, but both men took the blows as if they were striking a wall

Just as the fight seemed to be slowing down, Jeamie Tshikeva - his right eye significantly puffed - detonated a left hand that left Frazer Clarke reeling in the eleventh round

Clarke stayed upright only by holding onto TKV, appearing confused as the referee stepped in for a inspection

His coach, his coach, looked ready to pulling him out, but Clarke demanded to fight on

He left the boxing ring without giving a after-fight media, still seeming stunned

'Billion Dollar Baby' Shines in Stylish Victory

In the chief-support bout, British bantamweight Francesca Hennessy extended her perfect record to seven wins, no losses with a commanding points win over former lower weight class title holder her opponent

Following an eye-catching entrance including a performance alongside a dance troupe, Francesca Hennessy, 21, demonstrated precise movement, accurate shot selection and smooth punch combinations

She found significant success by attacking the body of the 29-year-old opponent from Czech Republic - who formerly owned a world championship at a lower weight class - as every judge scored all 10 rounds to Hennessey

"Billion Dollar Baby on the free-to-air, here we go, baby," the fighter from Kent said, before calling out ex world title holder her potential next opponent

Frazer Clarke, Jeamie Tshikeva and Hennessy all performed in what could be an significant night for UK boxing

There may not have been a title fight or a well-known star on the card, but television coverage can reach wider viewership, attract youth into boxing gyms and develop the sport in manners boxing on pay-per-view may find difficult to accomplish

The future will show what the actual significance will be, but if just a handful more youngsters enter their neighborhood gym on Monday, the evening will have achieved something