'You can get a couple of years for beating the shit out of another bloke or a couple of grand. I chose to do the latter.'

Decca's story is that of a bullied boy with an impossible dream. Of solvent abuse, violence, drug addiction, depression, boxing, bare-knuckle fighting but - ultimately - redemption.

It begins on a council estate in Carlisle where, as the victim of cruel bullies, a young Decca anaesthetised himself from the pain and humiliation by sniffing solvents. In his mid-teens the fear fell away to be replaced by fury, as the bullies soon discovered to their cost. Memories of that frightened boy fuelled a rage that forged a fearsome street-fighter and future champion.

Working on the doors attracted more trouble but further enhanced his growing reputation. At the age of nineteen, life was good until the love of his life left him. Depression set in and prevailed. For almost ten years, he fell prey to a rampant cocaine habit, which provoked his demons, making him unpredictable and dangerous to be around. Serious jail time seemed inevitable.

Out of sheer desperation, his dad arranged Decca's first unlicensed boxing match. He won and became instantly hooked. Having gotten fit, hungry, and off the drugs, he was lured into the bloody arena of bare-knuckle fighting. Many brutal undefeated fights followed, as did two BKB heavyweight titles. A chance meeting with renowned boxing promoter, Ricky English led to Decca's shot at the iconic 'Guv'nor' title. The rest, as they say, is history.

Champion of British bareknuckle boxing and pit fighting... Decca Heggie is a force to be reckoned with.

About the Author
DECCA HEGGIE grew up on a council estate in Carlisle. Glue sniffing and football became a means of escape from the bullies that plagued his childhood. Until that is, he discovered that he was a natural-born fighter. Having hammered all his tormentors, the die was cast. Working as a doorman in his late teens, he met - then lost - the love of his life. Cocaine addiction eased the pain but fuelled bouts of depression and random violence. Unlicensed boxing led to bare-knuckle fighting and two BKB heavyweight titles. Then, in 2016, Ricky English offered him a shot at The Guv'nor Title - the chance to cement his legacy as a true great of the hardest sport of them all.


Book Information
ISBN 9781786069108
Author Decca Heggie
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint John Blake Publishing Ltd
Publisher John Blake Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 215g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 16mm