BBC boxing tonight with Clarke vs Tshikeva begin time, TV channel, free stream and card
Boxing returns to the BBC tonight with a huge British heavyweight title fight between Frazer Clarke and Jeamie Tshikeva for the vacant championship, taking place at the Vaillant Live arena in Derby
Boxing fans are in for a treat tonight as the BBC brings top-tier boxing back to terrestrial telly with a historic evening of fight action.
The main event features a British heavyweight showdown between Frazer Clarke and Jeamie Tshikeva, which was originally scheduled for last month but had to be postponed due to an injury Tshikeva sustained during training. This marks the first broadcast under Boxxer’s new agreement with the Beeb.
Ben Shalom’s promotion inked a lucrative deal that sees high-quality boxing return to free-to-air TV. The BBC has a long history with the sport, having aired the nation’s first televised boxing match way back in 1938, and intermittently showcasing professional bouts over the years. With this fresh deal, the BBC is set to regularly broadcast major events.
With the vacant British heavyweight title up for grabs, both Clarke and Tshikeva will be keen to start this new chapter with a bang. Clarke bounced back into the win column in April by delivering a brutal first-round knockout to Ebenezer Tetteh, while TKV hasn’t stepped into the ring since a controversial TKO loss to David Adeleye, reports the Mirror.
So, here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s bouts.
What time will Frazer Clarke vs Jeamie Tshikeva kick off tonight?
Tonight’s spectacle is set to unfold at the Vaillant Live arena in Derby. The eagerly-awaited action is slated to kick off around 6pm GMT.
In the headline bout, Tshikeva is expected to make his entrance first, roughly at 9pm GMT, with Clarke hot on his heels. The pair will then exchange a glove tap before the opening bell rings.
Please note, all fight times are subject to change and hinge on how long the undercard bouts take.
How can you tune into Frazer Clarke vs Jeamie Tshikeva?
The entire event will be broadcast live on the BBC. You can catch the undercard and full event from 6pm GMT until 10pm GMT on BBC iPlayer.
Meanwhile, BBC Two will air the main card from 8pm GMT to 10pm GMT.
Who’s on the full fight card and undercard?
Frazer Clarke vs Jeamie Tshikeva, Bobby Dalton vs Joel Kodua, Francesca Hennessy vs Fabiana Bytyqi, Bradley Goldsmith vs Jordan Dujon, Jack Massey vs Ivan Gabriel Garcia, Josh Rose vs Jorge Luis Huerta Balleza, Scott Melvin vs Harvey Sturton.
Quotes corner
Frazer Clarke shared with ESPN: “The likes of Henry Cooper, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis have all held the British title belt and look at what they have done after they won it. It’s like a coming of age, a natural progress and it’s such a big deal.
“I know what the British title can do for a career and I’m just focusing on winning the fight versus TKV than thinking about future fights. I’ve had one comeback fight. I wish had been busier but the promoter [Boxxer] had a situation going on so I have been waiting around and now I’ve finally got the opportunity.”
Jeamie Tshikeva expressed: “It gives me more motivation. This should be my first title defence. That’s how I look at it. I should have walked away that night [from my fight against David Adeleye] as the British heavyweight champion and this should be my title defence, but you know what? Things happen for a reason.
“We’re here now and we’re going to fight on Saturday. It’s big. I know how big this opportunity is.”
