The 21 year-old has enjoyed a glittering kickboxing career and is the current ISKA World and Intercontinental Champion at 72.5 kg. However, after turning professional at 17, and achieving all he has set out to achieve, the Newark fighter is ready to put his feet down and his gloves up.
“I have had a great career in kickboxing and it has been fantastic being the world champion,” Sugden told www.uko-boxing.com. “But I have done pretty much all I can do in the sport so I want a new challenge. I won most my kickboxing fights with my boxing skills so I am sure I will be fine with the switch.”
‘2 slick’ signed off from kickboxing with a split decision victory over Murthel “The Predator” Groenhart in Las Vegas.
He stands to make his pro boxing bow in Walsall on Saturday, 19th March on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Cool Hand & The Gang’ show, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall, and is looking forward to fighting back in Britain.
“Fighting over in Vegas was brilliant but I really enjoy fighting back in Britain. I have been lucky to travel the world with my career but I am expecting to have a big crowd supporting me in Walsall and that will be amazing.
“My fans will be able to make the fight so it is great that I can fight in front of them and I will put on a show to give them something back. It will be a great start to my boxing career and I can’t wait to get going.
“The motto in our family is success breeds success and that has happened for us. It is great to have family that are doing well and it motivates you to be the best you can be. I feel like boxing is natural to me and I think my skills are actually better suited to boxing than they are kickboxing.
“I wouldn’t do something unless I thought I could be the best at it. I want to repeat the sort of success I have already had. The aim is to fight every couple of months and rise up the ranks as quick as possible. I want to be British Champion and I know I can reach that and then go onto world level.”
Sugden takes on experienced Telford scrapper, Kieron Gray, in March. It’s a tough first outing for the super middleweight. Gray is one of the toughest and wily fighters on the circuit. However, although he respects his opponent, Sugden is confident of getting off to winning ways.
“I have seen a bit of Gray and I do respect him. He has been in with some tough opponents and despite his record he is a good fighter.
“He is solid in defence and tough to hit. But I think if I pick my shots right I will have more than enough to see him off.”
Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900.
