Frazer Clarke and Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva produced a volatile weigh-in ahead of Saturday’s British heavyweight title fight in Derby, with tensions spilling over into heated exchanges and crude gestures.
Clarke weighed in at 19st 4lb (123kg) and TKV at 18st 12lb (120kg), but the numbers quickly became secondary as the pair squared up. Raised voices erupted into a full-blown confrontation, forcing security to intervene.
Clarke then escalated matters by raising both middle fingers toward TKV’s entourage, reigniting the verbal sparring.
“I’ll take this boy to school and beat him up,” Clarke, 34, warned. The rivals will next meet in the ring at the Vaillant Arena, with the fight broadcast live on BBC Two.
Their animosity has grown since the original October 25 bout was postponed due to an injury to TKV — an explanation Clarke has frequently cast doubt over.
“He’s a funny character,” said 32-year-old TKV. “I walked past him and didn’t say anything, but when security is around he wants to talk funny. That shows his character.”
The weigh-in, held in front of several hundred fans at a hotel near East Midlands Airport, saw further barbs traded. Clarke taunted “one round” from the crowd after stepping off the stage, prompting TKV to reply: “Carry on nodding your head and I’ll knock you out tomorrow.”
Clarke, cheered on by family and holding his young son dressed in a “Big Fraze” tracksuit, remained outwardly relaxed — until the two heavyweights finally faced off, their combined mass exceeding 500lbs.
Speaking afterwards, both fighters claimed a psychological edge.
“He’s rattled,” TKV insisted. “The whole point is to rattle Frazer — mission accomplished. Once he’s emotional, he won’t stick to the game plan.”
Clarke, who has spoken openly of his ambitions to become a world champion and avenge past defeats, dismissed the idea that he had lost composure.
“I’m still calm. They can’t get in my head,” he said. “I’ve been down, I’ve been in the muddy water, and I’m back.”
