For seasoned combat sports athletes, chaos and last-minute changes are often just par for the course. Dec Spelman is a prime example of this unflappable mindset, demonstrating remarkable fluidity and composure when faced with a sudden opponent switch ahead of his upcoming appearance in Newcastle. Originally scheduled to face Andrea Bicchi at BKB 60 on October 10th, Spelman has had to quickly pivot his preparation after learning he will instead square off against formidable UK combatant Marley Churcher.
The late-breaking news caught Spelman completely by surprise, finding him thousands of miles away from home while he was putting in grueling training sessions abroad. Reflecting on how he received the news and the sudden shift in his competitive trajectory for fight night, Spelman shared his thoughts in an interview with Bare Knuckle Bowker.
“Yeah, fight’s a fight to me. I found out two days ago [as of Monday], so I was actually caught out in Spain, training. My manager dropped it on me. So, yeah, I’m prepared for a fight and a fight I’m going to get. So, yeah, it don’t really matter who’s in the opposite corner. They are getting it,” Spelman said.
While the opponent has changed, the overarching stakes and caliber of competition remain remarkably high for the October 10th event. Both men bring elite-level pedigree to the squared circle. Andrea Bicchi is recognized as a former BKFC title challenger, whereas Marley Churcher holds distinction as a former BKB title challenger. Transitioning from preparing for one high-level veteran to another requires careful tactical adjustments, yet Spelman views the stylistic differences with analytical curiosity rather than concern.
Delving into the tactical implications of the matchup and what fans can expect to see unfold in Newcastle, Spelman noted the elevated technical prowess of his new adversary while remaining confident in his own ability to solve whatever puzzle is presented to him on fight night.
“Yeah, that’s it. It’s just a different kind of fight. Well, depending on what Marley brings. But yeah, I mean, technically, Marley’s a lot better than Bicchi. So, that’s interesting. What are we going to get on the night? I don’t know. Is he going to come out? Is he going to be aggressive, try to catch me off guard? Possibly,” Spelman explained.
“Is he going to kind of hold his feet and try and box, which is what he does well? Probably. So either way, it is in hand and I’m sure I’ll get the job done.”
Dec Spelman still loves fighting like it’s his first day, amid path toward BKB gold
With more than two decades of combat sports experience under his belt, Spelman possesses a wealth of perspective that few active fighters can rival. Having competed extensively across traditional gloved boxing, hybrid rules bouts, and now the unforgiving landscape of bare-knuckle fighting, he has seen nearly every iteration of the fight game. Yet, despite being long in the tooth by professional fighting standards, his passion for stepping into the arena remains as vibrant as it was when he first laced up his gloves as a novice.
Discussing his longevity and the calm demeanor that allows him to absorb short-notice changes without missing a beat, Spelman offered a lighthearted reflection on his extensive career.
“Yeah, I’m pretty long in the tooth now, man, to be fair. Like I said, been fighting 22 years in and out of, between the gloved boxing. I’ve even had a hybrid [boxing bout] now. I’m obviously on to the bare knuckle now. So, yeah [laughs], it’s just an everyday occurrence for me. But I still love it like it’s my first day. So, yeah, I just take it in my stride really,” he said.
Spelman’s seamless transition into the world of gloveless combat has been impressive to witness. Having already amassed a stellar 3-0 record under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) banner, he is now firmly entrenched in the BKB ecosystem following a successful promotional debut. When asked whether he perceives any stark differences between competing for the premier organizations of gloveless combat, Spelman emphasized that the physical architecture of the ring matters far less than the internal mindset of the athlete.
Maintaining that control and composure are the ultimate equalizers in any combat sports environment, Spelman highlighted his adaptability across different rule sets and promotional platforms.
“A fight’s a fight isn’t it? I think if you’re the man in control and you’re the one with the dictatorship in the ring, like it’s not too different to anything. Whether it be a square, a circle, or a triangle, I’ll have ticked them. I’ve ticked them all off,” Spelman stated.
“So, yeah, it’s how you approach the fight. If you go in there thinking, oh, it’s a triangle and you get yourself in a bit of a panic, then, yeah, it’s probably not going to go too well for you. But if you’re just taking it in your stride, adapt to what needs to be done, then it is what it is, isn’t it? Whether it’s a triangle, circle, or square, fights a fight for me.”
As BKB 60 approaches on October 10th in Newcastle, all eyes will be on Dec Spelman to see how he implements his game plan against Marley Churcher. Armed with decades of combat experience, an unshakeable mentality, and a renewed drive toward championship gold, Spelman steps into the ring ready to prove that no matter who stands across from him, his pursuit of victory remains absolute.
