Press conference in Tokyo confirms Sugden’s next world title fight
Newark professional kickboxer Bailey Sugden was invited to Tokyo for a press conference where the news was revealed that he would be fighting the legendary Takeru Segawa, the only three weight World Grand Prix champion in K-1 history, in France this summer.
The announcement comes a couple of weeks after The British Bulldog, Bailey Sugden successfully defended his 63.5kg ISKA World Title under K-1 rules in Grantham, which he originally won there in March 2022.
On his latest trip to Grantham, Sugden managed a convincing win against tough Spaniard Pedro Ruiz to defend his title.
The night also saw Suggy's Gym teammate Chace Griffin secure the ISKA European title with a win of his own.
The upcoming bout in France will be Takeru’s first-ever fight in Europe.
The five-round contest at 61kg for the double Lightweight MTGP and ISKA World Titles takes place on Saturday, June 24 at the Zenith Arena in Paris in front of an audience of 8,000 fight fans and will also be broadcast live worldwide.
Takeru is widely regarded to be one of the greatest kickboxers in the modern history of the sport, alongside his compatriot Tenshin Nashukawa.
In an interview after the press conference, which was streamed live on Wednesday 29 March, Bailey Sugden said:
“I really enjoyed my short visit to Japan where I was treated very well and it was incredible to learn that I will back on the world stage where I belong in just a few months’ time.
“Both my opponent and I have really exciting styles so this is going to be an awesome fight.
"It will change my own life and that of my family - all of our hard work has been for this moment and now it’s my time to show the whole world who is its best kickboxer.”
“I’m so proud and excited about this opportunity for Bailey and I definitely believe he can win this contest and those two titles,” said his manager and father Dean Sugden.
“With a professional record that includes 16 wins, three by TKO, at just 25 years old he has already fought at the highest level all over the world. His fights have been in places including on GLORY in Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Chicago and Rotterdam.
"Bailey has also fought in Czechoslovakia and of course closer to home at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre last month when he successfully defended his ISKA 63.5kg World Title.
“He is now a more complete fighter with more rounded skills and I believe he has both the physicality and the skills to defeat Takeru.
"And a win in Paris in June would mean a return to Japan, this time not just for a press conference but to fight.
“We would be delighted to give Takeru, whose professional record stands at 41 wins, 24 by KO or TKO, and just three losses, and whose last contest at Tokyo Dome attracted 60,00 spectators and earned him $2.5m,
first crack at a rematch in Japan where, as defending champion, Bailey would himself be in a life-changing fight in terms of money.
“But if Takeru wants to rest, we will fight Tenshin Nashukawa, the Japanese fighter who was Takeru’s last opponent and previously fought Floyd Mayweather Jr under boxing rules.
“Tickets for the fight in Paris can be pre-ordered now, priced VIP 245€, Around Ring 95€ and Grandstand at 65€, 45€ and 35€.
"Please contact me as soon as possible as they are going to go extremely quickly and we want to make sure that everyone able to make the trip will be sitting together.
“And don’t forget to look out for information on PPV streaming coming soon both on our websites and on social media.”
