Sugden gets set to bring the English Light Heavyweight Boxing Title home next month

With his fight on the aptly-named Homecoming Show just around the corner, pro boxer Chad ‘2 Slick’ Sugden is heading into the final phase of his training camp.

The 28-year-old Newarker takes on Joel McIntyre for the English Light Heavyweight title in the main event at Newark Showground on July 15.

He will be walking out into the ring in his hometown as a professional boxer for the first time since making the switch from pro kickboxing in March 2016.

“I can’t wait for this opportunity to get back into the ring and doing it here on home ground in front of the loyal fans who’ve followed me all over the country in the past gives me a fantastic opportunity to repay them for their continued support with the performance of a lifetime right here on their doorstep,” said Chad Sugden.

“A previous English champion, Joel’s made it really clear he’s determined to regain what was his and the fact that he wants a ticket back into the mix for the British title.

“But I’m not going to let that happen. I’ve had some world class sparring with Callum Johnson and Mark Heffron over at Joe Gallagher’s Gym up in Bolton as part of my preparation for the big night and, come Friday, July 15, I’m going to put on a show to ensure it doesn’t.

“As a season ticket holder and supporter of Nottingham Forest who was lucky enough to be at Wembley last month to see them secure the win that took them back up into the Premier League, I’m determined to follow in their footsteps next month and get the win that will see me move up the rankings in the world of professional boxing too.”

Manager and coach Dean Sugden said the McIntyre bout represented a challenge for Chad, who is on the comeback after two shoulder operations.

“The light heavyweight division is currently the hottest and strongest in British boxing,” said Dean, of Suggy’s Gym.

“Chad’s stock has definitely gone up so we’re absolutely delighted to secure this opportunity to face such a strong opponent as Joel for the vacant English title in what is guaranteed to be an electric evening all round.

“It has been a long road for Chad recently, recovering after two shoulder operations.

“Having major surgery on one of your shoulders is in itself a big deal but to then have surgery on the other immediately afterwards was really hard, especially with rehabilitation still going on the previous shoulder as it was starting on the other one.

“It goes without saying that we would have preferred another warm-up fight before stepping back into the ring at this level but, in true Suggy’s Gym fashion, it’s in for a penny, in for a pound ­— we’ve never ducked away from a challenge and we’re well aware that’s exactly what we’ve got coming with Joel.

“And for Chad to be doing this over at Newark Showground is even more appropriate, given the fact that I won a WKA World Title myself in the very same venue back in 2005.

“Chad was only 11 at the time but he was there to cheer me on and has great memories of the night. Now it’s his turn and he’s absolutely buzzing for it.

“Seeing Chad boxing professionally for the first time in front of all his local supporters, who will no doubt be raising the roof as he does so, will be truly amazing and the fact that he’ll be doing it for the coveted English title is huge news for the town.”

There is plenty of great local talent on next month’s undercard, including Nottingham’s Joe Hughes and Ryan Amos along with the recently added unbeaten Kevin Cronin from Ireland.

As a result, Dean Sugden and co-promoter Scott Calow, of Boxing Connected, are both certain they are looking at a sell-out show.

The event will host a fully licensed bar and hot food will be available on the night.

VIP ringside tables were all gone within weeks but a limited number of other table seating is available along with a small number of unreserved seating/standing tickets.

“It’s very much a case of first come, first served so you’ll need to call the ticket hotline 07816 840920 or Suggy’s Gym on 01636 605708 without delay if you want to be there to welcome Chad

into the ring in his hometown next month,” said Dean.