| PUPPETMASTER | The one pulling the strings for boxer, the favourite associated with 19 down (6-6) |
| DOMESTICANIMALS | Cleans the house for boxers - the ones in the doghouse (8,7) |
| CRIMEANWAR | Context of 18 and 27 associated with 19 and 23 (7,3) |
| UMBRELLAACADEMY | With "The," Netflix title superhero team ... and a hint to something associated with 19-, 26 and 42-Across |
| MERCYKILLING | Pulling the plug |
| PUPPETEER | One pulling the strings at work? |
| PUPPETEERS | Ones pulling the strings |
| PIZZICATO | Pulling the strings of a violin etc. with fingers rather than by using the bow (9) |
| CHORDS | Music provided by the strings for the audience (6) |
| FLYINGSAUCER | Going hell for leather with 19 down transporting aliens (6,6) |
| DINNERDANCES | Sounds like little tempers do this after mealtime with 19 down Harlem Shake Salsa (6,6) |
| ABSOLUTIST | Despot employing muscle, hence someone pulling the strings? |
| CONARTISTS | People pulling the strings of a racket? |
| PEGTOP | Pear-shaped wooden teetotum spun on its metal pin by means of pulling the string in which it is wound; or, a description of voluminous trousers that taper at the ankles (3-3) |
| CHEWEDTHEFAT | Had words with 19 down over a theft (6,3,3) |
| CABLES | Used for pulling the French taxis, for instance (6) |
| ONTHEFIDDLE | Pulling the wool over another scratching in the string section (2,3,6) |
| HONEYGHAN | Lloyd, British boxer, the undisputed welterweight champion during 1986-87 (9) |
| LEADTIME | Use a key on the hour in case of delay between pulling the trigger and ignition (4,4) |
| OBRIEN | Old character on the wagon pulls strings for judge perhaps (6) |
