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    Brit bare-knuckle boxer Decca Heggie to be deported from Philippines in ‘fugitive’ row as he posts tearful ‘last video’

    A BRIT bare-knuckle boxer is to be deported from the Philippines after he was detained as a suspected fugitive from the law.Derek “Decca” Heggie, 40, posted a final farewell video to his followers online after cops uncovered details of his alleged criminal past.
    Brit bare-knuckle boxer Derek ‘Decca’ Heggie is to be deported from the Philippines back to the UKCredit: instagram/@decc_a2023
    Heggie has been locked up in Mandaue City as a suspected fugitiveCredit: ViralPress
    Heggie, originally from Montrose in Angus, Scotland, was paraded on TV by Filipino authorities alongside a US criminal as it was announced he would be booted out of the country.
    The fighter was also allowed to make a video for his YouTube followers as he was put behind bars.
    A tearful Heggie said: “This is going to be my last video for a while.
    “They’ve got me detained for three months in the detention centre.
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    “I’m going to get out as soon as possible.”
    Heggie has endured a turbulent life, having spoken of a ten-year battle with drug addiction and mental health issues.
    The fighter-turned-actor tasted fame after featuring in the gangster film The Corrupted.
    Performing alongside household names such as Timothy Spall, Hugh Bonneville and Scot David Hayman, Heggie played a crime boss’s right-hand man.
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    But it is bare-knuckle fighting where the Scotsman made the majority of his money.
    He became a British champion and earned thousands for his troubles, with the majority of events organised by the travelling community.
    In 2021, he was left covered in blood alongside another fighter after the pair fought non-stop for over ten minutes in a boxing gym.
    He recently announced that he planned to return to Scotland to open up a training HQ in Edinburgh.
    But the Philippine Bureau of Immigration has now claimed that Heggie is a wanted fugitive in the UK.
    However, no approach has been made by the British government, according to the Daily Record.
    A UK-based source told the paper: “The material emerging from the Philippines does not tally with the detainee’s record in the UK.
    “The Philippine Bureau of Immigration will regularly deport people they deem to be undesirable and Heggie possibly falls into this bracket.”
    Heggie is temporarily detained at the bureau’s office in Mandaue City but will be transferred to the bureau’s warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

    Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Heggie and the American criminal with him were being held at the same time because they are both being deported.
    “They will be included in our immigration blacklist to prevent them from re-entering the country,” he added. More

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    Dana White blasts KSI’s ‘LYING’ team over Misfits PPV buys in X-rated rant on ‘horrible’ shows

    DANA WHITE has blasted Misfits Boxing’s claim that their PRIME card did over a million pay-per-view buys.The influencer boxing promotion – which was founded by internet sensation KSI – put on a stacked card for its Manchester card in October.
    KSI locked horns with Tommy Fury on the Misfits Prime cardCredit: GETTY
    Logan Paul co-main evented the show. -which reportedly did 1.4 million pay-per-view buysCredit: GETTY
    UFC president Dana White has emphatically rubbished that rumoured numberCredit: GETTY
    KSI topped the bill against Tommy Fury, while Logan Paul faced Dillon Danis in a co-main event grudge match.
    It was claimed that a whopping 1.4 million people parted with their hard-earned cash to watch the social media stars do battle, a number veteran promoter White doesn’t buy for a second.
    The UFC Chief Executive told the Nelk Boys: “I haven’t heard about anybody selling a lot of pay-per-views lately.
    “Let me tell you how hard it is to sell 1.3 million pay-per-view buys.
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    “And if you did sell 1.3 million – if you sold 700,000 pay-per-view buys – they’d put putting on fights f***ing 10 times a year.
    “When you hear those kinds of numbers fly around the pay-per-view world, they’re lying motherf*****s. Don’t ever believe that s**t.”
    Despite the glaringly obvious lack of skill and technique, the influencer boxing scene has caught on like wildfire among Gen Zers.
    And White, like many others, can’t understand for the life of him why.
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    Dana White insists Misfits would be doing cards every week if they really did 1.4m buysCredit: Getty
    He said: “Anybody who’s been on any of these f***ing horrible boxing shows.
    “And I like Logan [Paul] and some of these guys that are involved in this s**t, if you come out and you say you did 1.3 million pay-per-view buys on your event, you’re lying through your f***ing teeth.
    “Lying through your teeth.”
    The MMA mogul added: “The amount of money you’d f***ing make, they’d be doing pay-per-views all the f***ing time.
    “Let me tell you what, every pay-per-view distributor out there would want them, and Showtime wouldn’t have went out of business.”
    It didn’t take long for White’s comments to come to the attention of KSI’s manager and Misfits co-president Mams Taylor.
    And he didn’t hold back in his response to the UFC supremo, writing on X: “I know all the REAL numbers for every event.
    “Don’t play w[ith] me or I’ll go Fofty on EVERYONE!!”
    KSI’s manager Mams Taylor hit out at Dana White after learning of his rant More

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    Who is Decca Heggie? Bare knuckle boxer arrested in the Philippines

    DECCA Heggie is a bare-knuckle boxer turned actor with a dark past. But what do we know about the fighter — and his recent arrest? 
    Bare-knuckle boxer Decca Heggie is facing deportation from the Philippines.
    Who is Decca Heggie?
    Derek “Decca” Heggie was born in Carlisle in Cumbria on November 22, 1983, and has some Scottish heritage. 
    He started his career as a bare-knuckle boxer, a form of boxing where fighters wear no gloves or padding on their hands. 
    Since retiring, he has also been involved in organising fights between other fighters, saying: “We’re stopping what would be worse violence in some cases.
    “We’re ‘fighters first’ because of that, the fighters get looked after because I know what it takes to step in there and do it.”
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    Beyond organising fights, the former-boxer has shifted his career to podcasting and acting. 
    Heggie presents the Official All of Nothing Podcast, where he interviews “some of the most notorious and controversial figures from all around the world.
    Heggie has been vocal about his issues with mental health and drug addiction. 
    In 2018, he published an autobiography titled “Prizefighter – The Searing Autobiography of Britain’s Bareknuckle Boxing Champion”. 
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    What is Decca Heggie’s fight record?
    Heggie was unbeaten following a total of 15 fights before retiring from the sport.  
    While bare-knuckle boxing is legal, Heggie said that his first three fights were illegal. 
    Speaking to Vice, he said: “One in the gangster’s back garden, then I went over to America and had two illegal fights out there — I won all of them. 
    “Bareknuckle is always linked to the underworld.”
    Bare-knuckle boxing is brutal — a 2021 fight between Heggie and Danny Christie, also from Carlisle, resulted in both being covered in blood, after fighting non-stop for ten minutes in a boxing gym, 
    Bare-knuckle boxing is one of Britain’s oldest sports, with records of early fights dating back to 1641.
    Why has Decca Heggie been arrested in the Philippines?
    On December 1, 2023, it was revealed that Heggie was facing deportation from the Philippines after alleged details of a past criminal conviction came to light.
    A UK source said: “The material emerging from the Philippines does not tally with the detainee’s record in the UK. 
    “The Philippine Bureau of Immigration will regularly deport people they deem to be undesirable and Heggie possibly falls into this bracket.”
    Taking to social media, Heggie told his followers: “I’ve done nothing wrong. I will fight this to the end.”
    What films has Decca Heggie been in?
    Heggie has a few film acting credits to his name, including 2019’s The Corrupted, starring Sam Claflin, Timothy Spall, and Hugh Bonneville.

    He has also featured in 2017’s My Name is Lenny, 2021’s Twist, and Netflix’s Jagame Thandhiram, also in 2021. 
    Heggie also appeared in two episodes of Bulletproof in 2020, available on Amazon. More

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    Usyk retirement date revealed ahead of Tyson Fury clash as promoter says Ukrainian won’t be at his best for much longer

    OLEKSANDR USYK doesn’t plan on hanging around for much longer – despite being on the brink of making history.The undefeated Ukrainian is on the cusp of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in over 25 years and the first in the four-belt era.
    Oleksandr Usyk is just two months away from fighting Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
    Usyk and Fury will vie for undisputed heavyweight supremacy in Saudi on February 17Credit: GETTY
    Usyk doesn’t plan to keep fighting for much longer after his undisputed title titlCredit: GETTY
    All that stands behind the 36-year-old slick southpaw and undisputed glory is Brit man-mountain Tyson Fury – the owner of the prestigious and historic WBC title.
    But fighting into his 40s like the greats of yesteryear isn’t something the former undisputed cruiserweight king fances.
    Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassuyk told Betway: “He’s 36 now and still has three years to go at his best.
    “The only issue or concern we have is the health issue so that could be a problem.”
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    Krassuyk, however, reckons his good friend could continue fighting if his body doesn’t betray him.
    He said: “If his body is still ready to fight, then I don’t think he’s going to quit.
    “Let me tell you, I have been dealing with Oleksandr Usyk since his first professional fight in 2013 and we have been very close with each other over the last 10 years.
    “But he is a young kid in his soul and has never experienced retirement or really imagine how hard it is for a fighter to retire from boxing.”
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    TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
    Usyk’s long-overdue showdown with Fury – which was initially slated for April – takes place in Saudi Arabia on February 17.
    Both men will have to train over the festive period and battle the urge not to enjoy extra servings of Turkey.
    Fury, however, will also have to battle the urge to hit his local boozer for a good old-fashioned knees-up.
    The Gypsy King said: “It wasn’t my ideal date.
    “I wanted the 23rd because then I could have had a good Christmas and now I am going to have a s*** Christmas.
    “I can’t go and get 4st heavier now, like I would like to.
    “This date will keep me in shape and give me something to think about but it’s only a few weeks after so not too bad.
    “I will still have a proper Christmas day with the family, it’s not that serious that I have to cancel Christmas is it?

    “Me and Joe Parker usually go to the boozer next door, while the dinner is getting made, and have 15 pints.
    “But this time he can do it and I can’t because he will be celebrating his win on the 23rd and I will still be in camp.” More

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    KSI vs Tommy Fury fight result CONFIRMED after decision is made on YouTuber’s appeal to have bout overturned

    KSI has had his appeal over the result of his clash with Tommy Fury REJECTED.The YouTuber-turned-boxer suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the Love Island star in their October grudge match.
    KSI locked horns with Tommy Fury in a Misifts melee in OctoberCredit: Getty
    Their grudge match proved to be somewhat of a snoozefestCredit: Splash
    KSI lost via unanimous decision and has been unsuccessful with his appealCredit: Splash
    Internet sensation KSI fumed with the result of the contest, so much so that he launched an appeal to the Professional Boxing Association.
    But the PBA have insisted there are NO grounds to overturn the result of the Misifts melee.
    A statement read: “The PBA confirms that an independent review panel, consisting of two of the country’s leading King’s Counsel and a third lawyer, has determined that there are no grounds to overturn the @KSI vs. @tommytntfury fight result from October 14, 2023.”
    Team KSI are far from happy with the result of their appeal and have vowed to fight tooth and nail to get the verdict overturned.
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    The social media star’s manager Mams Taylor said: “We will now move to the second of three possible stages of the appeal.
    “As we continue to fight to have the decision of the bout rightly overturned.”
    Neither KSI – real name Olijade Olatunji – nor Fury – the brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson have publicly reacted to the news of the result being upheld.
    Scores of influencer boxing fans, however, reacted on X (formerly Twitter).
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    One wrote: “And rightly so. Tommy won comfortably.”
    Another said: “Let it go, man, it’s over.”
    And another said: “They’re actually doing everything in their power to win this appeal, like bro what are they appealing?”
    One remarked: “Honestly embarrassing from KSI to continue with this.
    “You can’t bounce around the whole fight and think you deserve a W.
    “Let it go and fight Jake [Paul].
    Another chimed in: “He lost get over it You own the Promotion company that runs the fight.
    “The previous fight he hit the guy with his elbow which should have been a disqualification but was deemed a KO win. He is an idiot.”
    KSI, 30, was consumed with rage after slipping to his first defeat in the influencer boxing scene and claimed he was “ROBBED” of a victory.”
    He said: “Obviously [Tommy Fury’s] a pro boxer.

    “If I won, it’s a mockery for the sport. That’s how they see it.
    “I won it bro. I got robbed. It’s outrageous bro… I was landing the cleanest shots, he couldn’t get any jabs off.”
    KSI is adamant he was ‘ROBBED’ of victory in his Manchester melee with Tommy FuryCredit: Getty More

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    New boxing weight division created which could see one of most feared heavyweights move down and dominate

    THE HEAVYWEIGHT division could be set for a major shake-up after plans to introduce a new weight class were ratified.The World Boxing Council shook up the sport in 2020 by introducing a bridgerweight division, in which competitors weigh between 200 and 224lbs.
    The WBA have announced the introduction of a super-cruiserweight divisionCredit: Reuters
    The 200-224lbs weight class will close the huge gap between cruiser and heavyweightCredit: Getty
    And the World Boxing Association have, somewhat belatedly, followed in the Mexican sanctioning body’s suit with the introduction of a super-cruiserweight division.
    Like bridgerweight, the newly-formed division will have a minimum weight of 200lbs and a maximum of 224lbs.
    An excerpt of a WBA statement read: “The WBA Executive Committee approved the creation of the super cruiserweight division in a vote called by the president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza.
    “This new division will be between 200 and 224 pounds. Meanwhile, it will be located between the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.”
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    The WBC introduced bridgerweight due to the natural growth of combatants over the last few decades and to negate the huge jump between the cruiser and heavyweight divisions.
    In a statement via World Boxing News, WBC chief Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The problem in most divisions was largely addressed, humanity’s natural growth has generated important changes in the major divisions
    “Ten years ago, the WBC moved the cruiserweight limit from 190 to 200 pounds.
    “Considering the weight of the athletes, they have grown impressively.
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    Ex-WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder could be tempted by the new weight classCredit: AFP
    “The major division, the heavyweight, means the maximum glory.
    “The world heavyweight champion has traditionally been recognized as the most important athlete globally, the invincible, the gladiator.
    “The heavyweight world champion initially started at 176 pounds.
    “Now, in the 21st Century, we see the different weights in the heavyweight division.
    “We have decided to create a new division called “Bridger” [or super cruiserweight to WBN] as it is the necessary bridge to serve the large number of boxers who are between 200 and 224 pounds.”
    The super-cruiserweight division would be a perfect weight class for former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to compete in should he fancy a change of scenery.
    The Bronze Bomber has weighed inside the 224lbs weight limit in seven of his last nine fights, although he was heavier in his rematch and trilogy fight with Tyson Fury.
    Wilder was, however, inside the super-cruiserweight limit when he knocked out former sparring partner Robert Helenius with one punch last October, tipping the scales at 214.5lbs. More

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    Plane passenger who was repeatedly punched by Mike Tyson after ‘asking for a photo’ demands £350,000 payout

    MIKE TYSON could have to pay out £350,000 to a man he is alleged to have assaulted on a plane last year.The former heavyweight champion admitted he was in the wrong after reportedly punching the victim after he annoyed him on a flight departing from San Francisco, USA.
    Mike Tyson admitted he was in the wrong over the alleged assaultCredit: Getty
    Melvin Townsend is demanding £350,000 in damages after incurring hefty medical costs after being attacked by Tyson after asking the former boxer for a photo.
    A letter from Townsend’s legal representatives claims their client experienced pain in his head and neck as well as a loss of consciousness, concussion, and contusion on the head.
    He also allegedly suffered nausea, headaches, depression, memory issues, sleep issues, mood disturbances, vertigo, and compromised vision in the wake of the violent incident.
    Townsend was without medical insurance at the time of the incident so he claims he has had to pay out significant costs – he is still receiving treatment on his stomach and is visiting neurologist, a psychologist and a back pain specialist.
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    His lawyer Jake Jondle has now written a letter to Tyson’s representatives outlining their demands, and threatened a lawsuit if an agreement cannot be reached.
    The letter reads: “If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will continue to prepare Mr. Townsend’s case for the filing of a lawsuit.”
    It continues: “There is no need for a lengthy summary of the events at issue – video of Mr. Tyson repeatedly punching Mr. Townsend is widely available on the Internet. In short, it is our position that Mr. Townsend was excited to see your client on the flight, began discussing the marijuana industry and psychedelic mushrooms with him, and Mr. Tyson became annoyed.
    “Mr. Tyson then reached over the seat, grabbed Mr. Townsend by the shirt collar, and proceeded to repeatedly punch him in the head.”
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    Tyson’s lawyer Alex Spiro rejected the call for a settlement, stating: “I have received a shakedown letter related to some instigator’s harassment of Mike a year ago and the aftermath.
    “There will be no shakedown payment.”
    Townsend suffered cuts to his forehead with Tyson alleging a bottle was thrown at him.
    But the 57-year-old showed remorse when discussing the incident, saying: “Hey listen, I’m usually good at these things. I was wrong, that should’ve never happened.
    “That’s me back in my primitive child stages, I shouldn’t of done that, but I was just irritated, tired, high, and pissed off. S*** happens.” More

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    Colin Hart: There was more chance of Prince William and Harry pulling crackers this Xmas than Hearn and Warren uniting

    RIVAL boxing promoters on both sides of the Atlantic have for generations been at each others’ throats — mainly because of their massive egos.And contract allegiances have meant boxers and their fans have suffered, because the best fighting the best has always been a rarity.
    Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren are finally working togetherCredit: Reuters
    The bitter feuds between Jack Solomons and Harry Levene in this country and Don King and Bob Arum in America that festered for forty years are legendary.
    Though Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn had never even spoken to each other, their fierce unrelenting rivalry in recent years has bordered on the toxic and appeared irrefutable.
    I thought there was more chance of Prince Harry and Prince William pulling crackers together this Christmas than Europe’s top two promoters agreeing a business deal.
    But, to general amazement among fight folk, they met amicably for the first time sixteen days ago at a joint press conference.
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    They were laughing and joking before announcing they will be working together to stage a fistic festive feast in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
    Headlining an outstanding show in Riyadh are three explosive heavyweight clashes – Anthony Joshua against Otto Wallin, Deontay Wilder facing Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois taking on Jarrell Miller.
    They can be seen on DAZN, PPV for £19.99.
    Warren and Hearn should be commended for allowing common sense to prevail – any future pooling of their resources can only benefit British boxing.
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    Saudi sheikhs are ploughing untold millions into boxing and Warren – ever the pragmatist – pinpointed the reason for his surprise relationship with Hearn.
    Frank said: “At the end of the day, money makes fights and that’s what’s making this happen.
    “Everybody is getting what they want and it’s been fantastic – the time is right to throw off the shackles.
    “My company Queensberry’s finest against the best of Eddie’s Matchroom team.
    “What I’m proposing is to break down the borders and give the fans the fights they want to see.
    This could be a turning point for British boxing and the doors are now open for future business.Eddie Hearn
    “This is the time to turbo-charge boxing right back into the mainstream and capture the imagination of the watching public.”
    Hearn, echoing Warren’s sentiments, said: “I told Frank we should forget the past rubbish – this is a big opportunity for boxing and our fighters so let’s not muck this up.
    “This could be a turning point for British boxing and the doors are now open for future business.”
    Warren and Hearn sound committed to blowing a powerful wind of change through the sport which makes good sense and is more than welcome.
    The competition between them in recent years has always been intense but nothing can be compared to the hatred I came across dealing with Solomons and Levene a lifetime ago.
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    When I called Levene in December 1971 to tell him the news that Solomons had died, I asked him if he would like to say something.
    After a few seconds silence, Harry said “My next show is at Wembley on March 24″… followed by a click as he put the phone down. More