Chad Sugden is going to be big in Japan after joining the world’s No 1fight club.
At 19 years old, Sugden is one of the youngest fighters to be handed a K 1 contract – and he’s also the only Brit on their books.
K 1 bosses handed Sugden a long-term contract after he won the ISKA world middleweight kickboxing title – and the Newark star fights on their show in Mallorca on Saturday, September 14.
Sugden has been fighting competitively since he was seven years old – losing just five of more than 100 amateur and pro fights – and is now set to be a global star.
“I want to be the No 1 fighter in K 1 and that’s why they’ve given me a long-term contract,” said Sugden.
“K 1 is massive in Japan. It’s bigger than Premier League football is over here.
“I get recognised here, but it will be a different level in Japan and I’m looking forward to it.
“I was offered a professional boxing contract as well, but K 1 was always my first choice.
“Kickboxing is what I’m best at. This is a massive opportunity. This is my chance to get to the top of the world.”
Sugden hopes to open the door for more Brits to compete in K 1 – including his kid brothers Regis and Bailey.
Both are showing plenty of promise in the amateur ranks and Chad reckons the Sugdens could be the Klitschkos of K1 !
Brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have dominated heavyweight boxing for a decade and Chad hopes Regis and Bailey will follow him into K1.
“They are beating everyone and winning titles,” said Chad. “They are strong and give me a good spar. I’m worried how good they will be when they get to my weight !”
All the brothers are trained by father Dean at Suggy’s Gym and he said: “K 1 can see Chad’s potential and that’s why they’ve signed him on a long-term deal. Chad doesn’t just want to compete in K 1, he wants to dominate.”