After what was a successful ring return in December 2021, a four round points success against Londoner, Ossie Jervier (now 6-19(5)), at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Newark’s own, Chad Sugden, 12-2-1(4), returns to the ring this weekend, looking to get back into the title picture he lost out on in the summer of 2020.
Either side of that summer 2020 outing, a UD12 loss on Channel 5, against Shakan Pitters (now 17-1(6)), for the then vacant, British Light Heavyweight title, Sugden was suffering from shoulder problems, not that he uses those as the reason for the loss, Pitters was just the better man, at that time.
The loss to Pitters is one of just two blemishes on the Notts pugilists’ professional fight record, and he knows that, a successful outing on the upcoming Scott Calow Promotions/Boxing Connected show at the North Notts Arena, Worksop, will set him up nicely for a summer homecoming.
Looking back at that time, of the Pitters loss, and all that was going on both with himself, and the world around him, Sugden said: “I had one operation prior to the fight with Pitters, then the other one went during the fight.
“If I’d won that fight, yes, things would have been different, but I guess it was the perfect time in which to get the operations done.
“I do feel lucky though, privileged, to have been able to fight then, in what was a strange, weird time for us all.
“As a fighter though, an entertainer, you do need the crowd behind you and I know that, against him (Pitters), I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to, and he was the better fighter on the night.
“It’s been hard though, not just for me, for everyone, as we’ve all been in the same situation, but I know it’s also afforded me the time to take stock, reflect, and come back stronger, hungry, and have something in which to look forward to.”
Against Jervier, in the run-up to Christmas ’21, Sugden returned to the ring after more than a year side-lined, and with it a mixture of emotions.
Understandable really, your last outing was defeat for the British title, you’ve had not one, but two shoulder operations, and you’ve not thrown a punch in anger in some sixteen months.
“I had to change a few things around, adapt my training because of the operations,” continued Sugden.
“It was good to get back out and fight again though, especially as it’s become a little more difficult to get opponents, ridiculous really, but it is what it is.
“The fight itself though, with Jervier, it was good, and I boxed comfortably even though he was in his shell a little bit.
“But I took over 120 supporters with me for that night, which is great to have, especially in a small venue.”
What’s next though for the former, British title contender?
Well, a return to the title picture is certainly in his, and his teams’ thoughts, beginning in Worksop, and readying for that Newark homecoming.
“It doesn’t matter who I’m facing next,” insists Sugden, “I’m just going to go in there and do my job, get back in the game, get rounds under my belt, and keep moving.
“As for Newark, that will be a great night and I’m hoping for a test against an unbeaten fighter and for me to be ready if, and when, the call comes for a title opportunity.
“I just want to get back into the mix and get back into those fifty-fifty fights.”
Chad Sugden will be making his sixteenth, professional outing, at the North Notts Arena, Worksop, on the Scott Calow Promotions/Boxing Connected show this coming Saturday, 5 March (doors 18:30, opening bell, 19:30).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Chad_2Slick Sugden returns to fight in Worksop on Saturday night.
