Dean Sugden wins WKA world title

The latest Newark show on the 10th September saw a higher than usual card with Dean Sugden himself fighting for the WKA WORLD Full Contact Kickboxing Title at Light Middleweight. It is incredibly hard to fight on your own promotion with all the additional work and stress that is involved and this was the first time Sugden had fought in his home town.

The first fight of the evening included probably one of the hottest Juniors on the circuit Jade Grierson who is still only 14. In a tough fight for her, Grierson took on the more mature Holly Deacon from UCKBA Worcester who had previously been unbeaten in all her F/C fights. It was a very physical fight and Grierson was being pushed back, but maintained a very high level of skill to dominate even when under pressure. The fight was close going into the last round but Grierson proved she has got grit and determination to add to her slick Kickboxing skills and took the decision.


Bout No2 was Greg Darmen from Sleaford against William Reeves from Big Daves gym in Lincoln. Both fighters did themselves proud as this was a last minute addition to the programme. With both fighters in good shape and Darmen determined to get back to winning ways he showed the better repertoire of kicks in what was quite a close contest up to the last second of the third and final round when Darmen followed a spinning hook kick with a roundhouse kick and KO'd Reeves with only 1 second remaining.

Bout No.3 was Gary Mulhall from Fudoshin gym in Lincoln, Mulhall was originally supposed to fight John Kipper Bartlett but John had been unwell so Andrew Mear former 2 x British Champion stepped in at last minute to take the fight against Mulhall. Mulhall with over 70 fights to his credit and Andrew with all his previous experience made it quite cagey affair. However there were flashes of his old self from Mear who had not fought for some time prior to this contest. Mear showed he has still got what it takes if he decides to extend his comeback but on this occasion the decision went to Mulhall who was a little busier through out this Prestige Bout.

Bout No.4 was a novice contest between 2 hot prospects on the circuit. Kevin Beckett Fudoshin Lincoln unbeaten against Simon Barnfield UCKBA Worcs was another well matched contest. Kevin just edging it over 3 rounds took a unanimous points win back to Lincoln.

Bout No.5 was another Prestige contest over 5 rounds between 2 of the best fighters in the country at 63.5kg. Steve Swinburn another Big Dave fighter from Lincoln and Daniel Dredds Scott trained by Owen Comrie from Nottingham. Swinburn and his stable mate Sean Boom Boom Burton are both struggling to find other fighters willing to fight them. There are a number of fighters locally who are avoiding them like the plague and both have proved they are willing to fight anyone anywhere and much credit must be given to their Coach and Mentor Dave Walker. This was a very good match and despite Swinburn getting food poisoning in the week prior to the fight he put up a very good performance. The fight went one way then the other with both fighters showing excellent speed and fluidity of punches and kicks. The fight ended in a draw and screamed out for a re match as both fighters were disappointed with the verdict.
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Bout No.6 was between 2 great ambassadors for the sport of Full Contact. Another 5 round prestige bout Dave Miller and Darren Forrest competing in what was billed as The Decider. Both fighters winning one each against the other one going into this.

Miller fought well in the first round and at the end of the first round there was nothing between the two fighters. Forrest took control in the second and third rounds but then Miller came on strong again in the fourth. Forrest always one to entertain did not let any one down with flashy kicks and dangerous punches. The last round saw another good exchange of punches and kicks in this Light Middle Weight contest and the fight was close but Forrest looking a little more comfortable at the heavier weight edged it on all three judges score cards. Dave Miller announced his retirement from Kick Boxing after this contest. Newark Martial Arts Kick Boxing Club and Step Into The Ring Promotions are please to have promoted Dave Miller and wish him all the best in his retirement.


Next Bout was between Scott Jenkinson Midlands Area Champ from Lincoln versus Gena Tkachenka originally from Belarus now training out of Tigers gym in Weymouth. Tkachenka was a late replacement but made short work of this fight with a first round KO of Scott.

After a short interval and raffle the crowd awaited in anticipation The Main Event. The atmosphere was intense with chanting, clapping and stamping of feet. Daniel Kaufmann from Speyer in Germany came over as The Current WKA European Light Middleweight Champion. Dean Sugden entered the ring as the current ISKA European Light Middleweight Champion so this was a real fight for the vacant WKA World Title. The crowd at Newark Showground included former WBF Professional World Boxing Champion Carl Greaves who was commentating for a local radio station Boundary FM. Current EBU European Professional Boxing Champion and very good friend of Dean's Esham "Brown Sugar" Pickering. Andre MacIntyre 2 x World Thai Boxing Champion. Patrick Mercer MP and Shadow Minister for Homeland Security.

Both fighters looked confident coming into the ring with Sugden taking a little longer than usual to make his ring entrance. Sugden looking like he was savouring every moment of what he had dreamed of since taking up Kick Boxing at the age of 18. Kaufmann in his pre fight interview said he had longer to prepare for this fight than any other previous bout so he was in the best condition ever. In preparation for this fight Sugden had been sparring in Latvia for this one with Roman Dablonish and Juri who is one of Roman's best fighters.

v From the opening bell Sugden started unusually fast with explosive punches to body and head. Kaufmann tried to fight fire with fire but on this occasion was left short as Sugden seemed to be very elusive when not throwing punches and kicks. In the second round Sugden dropped an Axe kick on the top of Daniel's head and continued to dominate now starting to throw strong round kicks to body. Sugden's sparring in Latvia and with the Tornado Gym in Hull plus Steve Swinburn from Lincoln looked like it was paying dividends as he was very quick and strong for this one.
At the end of the second round it looked as though Kaufmann was starting to get into it as he started to push Sugden back at the beginning of the third. Sugden responded with a left hook which rocked Kaufmann and immediately followed with a right leg round kick to the head.Kaufmann amazingly rocked but did not fold under the following onslaught. Kaufmann survived the rest of the round and wobbled back to his corner.
Sensing the opportunity to finish the fight early Sugden's corner told him to go for the finish. Sugden did just that with a left cross which sent the German Champion reeling back across the side of the ring, Sugden immediately followed up with a left leg round kick which caught Daniel round the side and back of the head. Kaufmann fell into Referee John Blackledge and was unable to stand up straight to beat the count and John Blackledge stopped the contest 28 seconds into the fourth round
Sugden was crowned and presented with the WKA World Title Belt by Paul Ingram president of the WKA and Town Mayor David Nixon who shared in the celebrations which followed.

Step into the ring promotions would like to thank all the sponsors and team who helped make this show a success. Special thanks to Jamie Norkett who helped Dean Sugden train and Dean also thanked his wife Karen for all her support.