What does the cryptic crossword clue "Fighter beginning to back-pedal, one in defence (5)" mean?

The definition is "Fighter". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). ALI (synonym="Fighter") + B (first_letter="back-pedal,") + I (abbreviation="one") = ALIBI; definition: "in defence" The answer is Alibi.

Fighter beginning to back-pedal, one in defence (5)

Telegraph Prize Cryptic #3043 | 22 Down | 2020-02-16 flower

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