Newark’s Bailey ‘BadBoy’ Sugden is looking forward to the prospect of another chance to showcase his skills on the GLORY stage next weekend, when the world’s leading kickboxing promotion returns to the UK for the first time in five years.

Currently ranked Number 10 in GLORY, the Suggy’s Gym 20-year old goes up against Russia’s Aleksei Ulianov in a Featherweight clash on the card of GLORY 54 Birmingham at the Genting Arena on Saturday 2 June.

The Newark camp heads to Birmingham on Wednesday for the final countdown, which includes an open public workout and the weigh ins, in the run up to the big night when they will be joined by an army of fans and followers from Newark and beyond, all eager to cheer on their local hero.

“I can’t wait for this one, it’s going to be a special night for me representing the UK here on home soil,” said Bailey. “Make no mistake about it – I’m ready for war and Birmingham is going to belong to BadBoy on Saturday.”

Suggy’s Gym head coach Dean Sugden added: “Alexi is a world class fighter, they breed them tough in Russia. He’s ranked Number 8 in GLORY and the fact that we’ve been matched with him for this one says a lot about just how much GLORY thinks of Bailey right now and of his potential for the future.

“Bailey loves the limelight and he never shies away from a challenge. But he needs to be at the top of his game for this one – he knows it, we all know it and that’s what is going to make this so exciting for the fight fans gathered in the Genting Arena or watching as it’s streamed live worldwide.

“And what better billing could there be for us than right before the two World Title fights headlining the night? Bailey’s right up there, Number 1 in the UK and firmly in the top 10 in the world, and he’ll be going out to make this stage his own as he always does, with a fighting spirit that’s second to none.

“Good luck to all the other UK fighters who, thanks to our own Road To Glory shows, have been given a platform to test their skills at the highest level in Birmingham as well. And to everyone who’s going to be there on Saturday, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed – fighters and fans alike, you’re all in for a night to remember.”

Official photos by James Law/GLORY Kickboxing