Fighters on title trail

Two young Newark fighters have achieved success at the highest level.

Kickboxer Jade Grierson (16) and boxer Chad Sugden (13) have both won important fights to enhance Newark’s reputation in the two sports.

Jade, of Newark Martial Arts Kickboxing Club, has been named the new and undisputed British champion after beating a tough Welsh opponent in a WRSA British title fight.

By the third round Jade was dominating with accurate kicks and punches to head.

After one minute of the round the referee stopped the contest after Jade knocked her opponent to the ground twice.

Jade will now start her preparation for the International Martial Arts Games in Thailand from April 12-19.

She will be joined by four other youngsters from Newark Martial Arts Kickboxing Club, including Chad Sugden, who is through to the final of the ABA Golden Gloves national competition in his other sport of boxing.

Chad defeated the previously unbeaten Ashley Joyce, of Jimmy Eagen’s gym in Manchester, to gain his place in the finals at Knottingley Leisure Centre, Yorkshire tomorrow and Sunday.

After the first round Chad was one-nil down, despite landing several jabs.

He levelled in the second, before taking the fight in the third round by five points.

Chad, who is the current Midlands boxing champion, is the second boxer from Newark Amateur Boxing Club to reach the final of the Golden Gloves competition.