Bare-knuckle boxing champion faces deportation back to UK from Philippines

01 December 2023 , 12:34

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Scottish bareknuckle boxer Decca Heggie (Image: Daily Record)

A bare-knuckle boxing champion faces deportation back to Scotland from the Philippines after details of his past criminal convictions came to light.

Filipino authorities paraded fighter-turned-actor Derek “Decca” Heggie on TV while announcing he would be booted out of the country. The 40 year old from Montrose, Angus admit he has had a turbulent life, marked by addiction and mental health struggles.

Since then he hashad a taste of fame in The Corrupted, a gangster film, as a crime boss’s right-hand man. He performed with household names Timothy Spall, Hugh Bonneville and Scot David Hayman. A tearful Heggie was allowed to make a final video for YouTube followers.

He said: “This is going to be my last video for a while. They’ve got me detained for three months in the detention centre. I’m going to get out as soon as possible.” Heggie has been a controversial figure after becoming a big player in illegal bare-knuckle events, many organised by the travelling community.

Scottish bareknuckle boxer Decca Heggie (Daily Record)

He made a video to tell his fans (Youtube/TheExposureLeagues)

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He became British champion and made thousands of pounds. Reports from the Philippines wrongly stated that Heggie would be deported to face child sex crimes in the UK, the Daily Record reports.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has said Heggie was regarded as a fugitive in the UK – but it is understood that no approaches from the UK authorities were made. It is believed Filipino authorities decided to deport Heggie due to his previous criminal record.

A UK source said: “The material emerging from the Philippines does not tally with the detainee’s record in the UK. There are no charges relating to child sex crimes currently on file. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration will regularly deport people they deem to be undesirable and Heggie possibly falls into this bracket.”

Mark McGivern