Fight bill was a family affair

Three teenage brothers, who all fight out of a Newark gym, were victorious on the same amateur boxing bill.

In the colours of Newark ABC, Chad Sugden, 17, Regis Sugden, 16, and Bailey Sugden, 14, who train at Newark Martial Arts, Castlegate, stepped into the fray at short notice to fight on the Bear Town ABC event at Congleton Town Hall — and all won their respective fights.

It was the first time the three had ever fought on the same bill.

The youngest of the brothers, Bailey, took his fight with Tameside Elite fighter Kane Wigglesworth at only 24 hours notice but, despite giving away considerable weight and height advantage, won by a third-round knock-out.

Both boys started fast and Bailey soon had his southpaw opponent reeling.

Ahead at the second round stage, Bailey continued to press home his advantage as a frenzied but controlled assault forced the referee into giving Kane a standing eight count.

Bailey continued to land some heavy shots, forcing another eight count and the Warrington boxer was counted out as the referee stopped the contest.

Next up in a senior contest was big brother Chad, who came out on top against Warrington’s Jamie Carlin, despite spending the last six months on the sidelines through injury.

Chad, who has moved up several weight divisions since last boxing, pulled on the gloves to keep busy in preparation for his MMA/UFC fighting future but looked every part the boxer as he took the first round against his southpaw opponent.

The second and third rounds saw Chad physically bully and out-skill the taller North-West ABA Champion, leaving the judges in no doubt as Chad was awarded the bout by unanimous decision.

So the stage was set for the final brother, Regis, to take to the canvas. He weathered the pressure and excelled in defeating home boxer George Parrish, of Bear Town ABC.

With the crowd against him, Regis took the local favourite to task, showing a great range of speed, power and skill to win by a majority points decision.

The brothers’ father and coach, Dean Sugden, said: “What a fantastic night for three Newark lads born and bred.

“They all box out of Newark’s only affiliated amateur boxing cub and who would bet against them going on to achieve great things in the world of boxing or their preferred fighting styles?”