Sugden is a chip off the old block
There was a great night of amateur and professional kickboxing and white collar boxing staged by Newark Martial Arts Club at The Dome at Kelham Hall on Friday night, topped by Commonwealth and British title victories for two of the club’s star performers.
There was a welcome return to Newark for Lex Easdon, former world title opponent of Newark club coach Dean Sugden, but it was Sugden’s son Chad who stole the show with his Commonwealth title victory.
Chad Sugden came to the ring as the current ISKA, BLCC and WKA British Champion, and he was up against the EFK British Champion Scott Allen from Scotland.
Allen, also the current Scottish Junior ABA Champion, came to the ring in confident mood as he jumped over the top rope in readiness for the five two-minute rounds under full contact kickboxing rules.
Sugden dominated a hard- fought first round, taking control with the superior kicking, and although his opponent was instructed to get inside and use his hands and boxing skills, Sugden was more than a match.
Towards the end Allen was holding and trying to unsettle the Newark fighter, but Sugden looked like a chip off the old block as he remained unruffled and started using his physical strength to add to his slick repertoire to take the under 54.5kg title.
Easdon was watching at ringside, with the seven-times world champion having brought some promising young fighters down from his own club in Glasgow where he is now coaching.
His chief cornerman Joseph Chapple said: “We love being down in Newark, because the town and the people are great, and the club has an awesome looking team.
“I was particularly impressed with young Chad. His pace is relentless, with great technique too, and I don’t envy his next opponent.”
Lewis Fallon, Sugden’s club- mate and sparring partner, was matched against Lee Bennett from the Gladiators Gym in Nottingham in a grudge match. The last time they fought it was a declared a draw despite Fallon dropping Bennett in rounds two and three.
This time they were competing over five two-minute rounds for the EFK British title, and Fallon again had Bennett on the canvas in rounds two, three and four.
It looked like it was never going to go the distance, and in the end there was only going to be one winner as Fallon took the title.
The night started with Newark fighter Mark Cooper winning a unanimous points decision against Martin Robinson from the Impact Gym in Sleaford, and that was followed by a rematch between Newark’s Chris Oxley and Alwyn Harris of Black Dragons, Lincoln, at cruiserweight, with Oxley victorious after a controlled performance in a hard-fought contest over three rounds.
Next up was the white collar boxing and local favourite Pete “The Bull” Green. The Newark man threw relentless punches against his equally large opponent, Andy Lloyd from Black Dragons, Lincoln, who replied in kind before Green got the verdict and the crowd went wild.
The next white collar bout saw last minute stand-in Joseph Rafa represent Newark Martial Arts Club, boxing technically well to keep the heavier and unbeaten Luke Majeski from Paviors Rugby Club at bay.
Majeski chased for three rounds, putting in some aggressive work and trying to use his weight advantage, but Rafa kept moving and cruised to a unanimous points win.
Professional Newark kickboxer Craig Allen took his chance to compete for a Midlands title against Will Wright from Lincoln KBA, but Allen took some great blows to the body and there were no complaints from the Newark corner when a close fight was awarded to the Lincoln man.
The night was concluded with three prestige bouts including a fine win by current WFK world champion Wes Fagan from Stanley in County Durham, and two fights featuring Easdon’s stars of the future Ronnie Clarke and Craig Bradford who both stopped their opponents.
Newark coach Dean Sugden said: “It was good to see Lex back in Newark again and I think we had our best show to date with a great mix of fighters.”
