Win number 31 for the best in Britain
Chad Sugden had a rare outing against someone his own age when Newark Martial Arts Club travelled to Solihull, but he once again proved himself to be the best in Britain at his weight.
Club coach Dean Sugden has struggled for some time to match his son with opponents the same age as the 14-year-old reigning ISKA full contact British champion who also holds the WKA British BLCC British and EFK Commonwealth title.
But the Solihull club had a 14-year-old of their own in Callum Hawthorne who came into the fight as reigning WAKO as ISKA British open champion, boasting only one defeat in 18 contests.
Hawthorne came out strongly and tried to take the fight to the Newarker, but Sugden — 30 wins and three defeats — kept relaxed and composed as he kept his opponent at bay.
Sugden then landed some excellent side-kicks that left Hawthorne picking himself up off the floor on several occasions, and he stepped it up in the second round and landed some sweet punches followed by an amazing jumping spinning back kick.
The third and final round saw Sugden landing kicks to the body and head with ease as he cruised to a unanimous points win in masterful display.
First up on the night for Newark was debutant John Boy Beckett against Billy Maddison from Solihull KBC.
He gave away height and reach but landed the better kicks and punches over the three rounds for a unanimous win, and Bailey Sugden — brother of Chad — soon made it two wins for Newark with a unanimous win against Raza Bashier from the ACE club at Derby.
Sophie Webb was next up and had a great battle with ISKA Great Britain squad member Megan Kelly from the USKA club in Birmingham, with the contest ending in a draw.
Both 15-year-olds are expected to do their country proud when they compete in the Czech Republic.
Newark debutant Katie Alexander fought Jessica Tonks from Atherstone and dominated the fight with her range and fast kicks and straight punches, giving Newark Martial Arts Club another win, and more Newark victories followed for Charlie Pearson, Jordan Frost, Robbie Pooley and debutant Bradley Cull.
Other Newark fighters who were unlucky not to get the decision were debutant Calum Bingham who had to settle for a draw, and Gary Worthington and debutant Macauley Stolp who also fought well.
Coach Dean Sugden said: “I am delighted that we have got so many youngsters coming through with such potential.
“The Newark Club is now being used as a centre of excellence nationally for kickboxing as a result of the volume of champions and high standard of fighters.
“It is like a conveyor belt system. Every time I go to a show the other instructors comment about the depth of quality and standard of fighters coming through at the club.”
Chad Sugden is fighting on the undercard to the biggest kickboxing show of the year in at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton where the country’s top middleweights will do battle in an eight-man tournament.
“Unfortunately for me it is still too early to be competing following my shoulder operation,” said Dean Sugden.
“But I am going to get a great buzz from watching Chad compete on such stage. He deserves it after proving again that he is the number one in Britain for his weight and age.”
