Newark boxers Chad Sugden and Tom Cowling will headline ‘The Showdown at the Showground’ show next Saturday as Dean Sugden and Carl Greaves join forces for the first time

Excitement is building ahead of a show that will see two of Newark’s biggest boxing names come together.

Dean Sugden and Carl Greaves are well-known for training and developing young talent.

Based a few doors down from each other on Castlegate, both were former professionals in their own right and, after retirement, set their sights on helping to develop the next generation.

Sugden is the head coach at Newark Amateur Boxing Club and Suggy’s Gym while Greaves set up his own boxing Academy.

As they now work together for the first time to put on a stacked card, plenty of fans are due at ‘The Showdown at the Showground’ on Saturday, March 22.

Greaves said: “We’re looking to get around 1,000 in there. That’s the plan.

“That’ll be fantastic. It’s a cracking venue, with a great atmosphere.

“I’m really enjoying working in my hometown of Newark. There’s still a few tickets available so it’ll be nice to shift them, as well.

“But it’s all gone well so far.”

While Jade Grierson has pulled out due to personal reasons, Grimsby-boxer Levi Giles, former national champion Jade Pearce and Ryan Williams, of Peterborough, as well as three Irish fighters, remain on a bill, which is topped by Newark’s very own Chad Sugden and Tom Cowling.

Greaves said: “It’s going well. We have managed to get them all boxed off now.

“Me and Dean are working together - that has felt a long time coming - and we’re looking forward to a good night.”

Sugden said: “This is the first time me and Carl have worked together. It’s quite big news.

“People in the town have been saying ‘Oh my God, I cannot believe you two are working together!’. I said ‘It’s not like we ever fell out.’. It just makes it so much easier because promoting is never an easy gig.

“It’s been an absolute honour, working with Carl. He’s very professional, organised and good at communicating.

“I’m sure Carl will say the same about working with me, as well.”

Chad Sugden, who is Dean’s son, is set to take on Zdenko Bule.

“When you’re a home boxer, you have got to pay for your opponent,” explained Dean.

“Chad, in essence, is paying for his opponent. He (Bule) has the easy bit in terms of just turning up and fighting!

“No UK guys would take the bait, fighting Chad, but it should be quite an exciting fight because he has a reasonable KO record, as well.”

As for Cowling, his scheduled opponent is experienced namesake Tom Ramsden, from Grimsby.

Greaves said: “He’s a very tough opponent. He started off as a prospect and then came back after some time out.

“It will be a very good fight for Tom.”

Cowling has also been training Down Under during the build-up to his next fight.

“Tom did three weeks of training in Australia,” said Greaves. “He did some great training with a renowned trainer over there.

“He picked up some bits and it was a great opportunity for him.”

And while their maiden show together hasn’t even yet taken place, the possibility of working together more regularly is already in the pipeline.

Sugden confirmed: “From my point of view, I wouldn’t hesitate in working with Carl again.”