Live boxing makes its long-awaited return to the BBC on October 25 as Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV battle for the British heavyweight title at the Vaillant Live Arena in Derby. The bout headlines the first event under the new partnership between BBC Sport and BOXXER, airing live and free-to-air on BBC Two from 8–10 p.m., with undercard action streamed on BBC iPlayer.
The British heavyweight title, the prestigious Lord Lonsdale belt, has been held by legends such as Henry Cooper, Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. For Clarke and TKV, the fight represents both redemption and a chance to carve their names into the sport’s history. Clarke came close to winning the title in March 2024 when he fought to a thrilling draw with Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena. TKV, from Tottenham, was denied his own opportunity earlier this year after a controversial stoppage loss to David Adeleye while ahead on the scorecards.
Watch Wardley vs. Clarke 2 highlights: Watch
Clarke, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, is eager to finally capture the belt that eluded him. “It’s amazing to be headlining on the BBC,” he said. “I’ve always dreamed of winning the British title. I’m so hungry for this fight, and the fact it’s happening live on primetime BBC makes it even better. I’m a more complete fighter than ever before - my mindset is simple: go in there, get the win, and make a statement.”
TKV, equally determined, promised an explosive encounter. “People are going to see things from me they haven’t seen before,” he said. “Me and Frazer have been going back and forth for years, and now’s the right time. After the controversial ending to my last fight, I’m more determined than ever. This fight isn’t going the distance - we’re going to war, and I’m hungry to take that belt.”
BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom described the event as a landmark for British boxing. “The British public love nothing more than a big heavyweight tear-up, and this fight is set to deliver maximum entertainment value,” he said. “It’s impossible to call between Frazer and TKV. Both men are warriors with everything at stake and the nation watching. I’m excited to welcome a new generation of fans to boxing on free-to-air TV for the first time in decades.”
Fight card:
▪️Frazer Clarke vs. Jeamie Tshikeva, 12 rounds, for the vacant BBBofC British heavyweight title
▪️Francesca Hennessy vs. Fabiana Bytyqi, 10 x 2 rounds, bantamweight
▪️Bobby Dalton vs. Joel Kodua, 10 rounds, for the BBBofC English welterweight title
▪️Mauro Silva vs. Bradley Goldsmith, 8 rounds, middleweight
▪️Jack Massey vs. Ivan Gabriel Garcia, cruiserweight
