Boxing news: Dec Spelman reveals all on Scott Westgarth tragedy
DEC SPELMAN admitted that he thinks about tragic Scott Westgarth every day, and wants to shine a positive light on his life.
Spelman takes part in The Ultimate Boxxer on Friday night at the Indigo O2 Arena.
He will fight for just the second time since that fateful night in Doncaster, when his 31-year-old opponent lost his life.
Westgarth passed away the day after the bout, having suffered extreme head trauma.
The day after he died, his organs were used to save the lives of seven people.
Most people forget that Westgarth beat Spelman that night via, but the Scunthorpe lad refuses to forget that fact, and says everything he does in his career is for him.
Speaking to Express Sport, Spelman recounted that fateful night, and says it helped to shape him as a fighter, knowing that he could show just how good Westgarth was through his own performances.
“He beat me,” Spelman said.
“He was a big underdog on that night, but he beat me.
“Whatever I go on to do now, he was capable of doing himself, and I have to remember that.
“Everything I do now, I do in his memory.”
Spelman will be watched on Friday night by Westgarth’s brother and father.
Adam Westgarth, Scott’s brother, is friends with Spelman, and will be sat ringside as the light-heavyweight takes on the tournament.
“I’ve been in constant contact with his brother, Adam and his Dad, John, I speak to his Mum a bit as well, but mainly Adam," he added.
“They’ve welcomed me with welcome arms, and it’s so nice and comforting.
“Adam was at my last fight, we’ve just kept in touch.
“He just messaged me and said he bought two VIP tickets and he’ll be there Friday.”
Scott Westgarth speaks after his win over Dec Spelman
Spelman revealed that he first properly met the pair at a Costa Coffee, and was nervous about meeting the relatives of the tragic fighter.
“I think I got a message the day after asking how I was,” he explained.
“I met up with his Dad and his brother about two weeks after, we met up in a Costa Coffee.
”That took some balls to do, because I met up with them both on my own, we just spoke about him and got to know about him as a person more than anything.
“I was scared, emotions were running high and that, but nothing happened.
“I suppose that it made me feel better knowing he had come from a boxing family.
”They understood a lot more than the average Joe.
“They understood a lot more and that’s what made it easier for me.”
Most fighters lose a competitive edge after going through what Spelman went through.
Chris Eubank was never the same after hospitalising Michael Watson, Nigel Benn only won twice again after his encounter with Gerald McClellan.
Spelman seems to have a different attitude, however, believing that it is his obligation to fight on in Westgarth’s memory.
“I think about him every day,” he admitted.
“It’s only human to think that.
“That’s something I will live with for the rest of my life.
“I like it like that, I don’t want to forget him.
“It’s something I have to bare with me, and it’s a consequence of boxing.
“I live with it every day, and I turn it into a positive.
When asked if he would dedicate any future wins to Westgarth, Spelman’s response was simply: “Absolutely.”
Ultimate Boxxer II will be shown live and exclusive on FaceBook via SPORTbible from 8.15pm, before going live on Freeview on Channel 5Spike from 10pm.