Newark boxing trainer Carl Greaves backs Dec Spelman ahead of Commonwealth light-heavyweight title fight with Lyndon Arthur

A life-changing championship fight has been penned by one of Carl Greaves’ fighters.

Newark boxing trainer Greaves said his Scunthorpe-based fighter Dec Spelman (16-3, 8 KOs) has a massive opportunity on Friday, July 31, as he tests the nerve of Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur in a televised behind-closed-doors bout on BT Sports.

“We have had five weeks to prepare for this, which isn’t as long we would have liked, but it is a massive, massive opportunity for us,” said Greaves, who guided 28-year-old Spelman to the English title in 2019.

“There is a massive incentive to win.

“It is a life-changing fight. He could pack work in if he wins this.”

Greaves said a tough test against Anthony Yarde could await his fighter should he triumph on the night — in what is the unbeaten Mancunian’s first title defence.

Spelman said he also recognised he had a chance to crash Arthur’s date with Yarde and book himself that fight later this year.

“The chance of fighting Yarde is driving me on massively,” he said.

“Lyndon has the Yarde fight hanging over him, but if I win then I could get that fight and make life-changing money.

“Lyndon has power, but he is also elusive.

“I am not stupid enough to think I can outbox him.

“I have got to get in his face, rough him up, use my strength. I can whack a bit as well.

“He knows what I am going to do.

“I am going to meet him in the middle and we will see who comes on top.

“This fight is a potential banana skin for him.”

Greaves said: “It will be more intense than usual with the cameras being on him.

“But boxing wise, the crowd not being there will affect him.”