Just over a month ago, Newark pro kickboxer Bailey Sugden shared the news that his dream of fighting in Japan was about to come true.

The Suggy’s Gym 24-year old was set to compete in the K-1 World GP Super Featherweight Championship Tournament, taking place at the Yokohama Arena on Sunday 11 September.

But following an injury to his right ankle, that dream has now been put on hold, much to the disappointment of both Bailey and his manager, head coach and dad Dean Sugden.

“Being on the card of the K-1 WGP 8-Man Tournament was a great honour and I’m absolutely devastated that I’ve been forced to pull out because of the injury,” said Bailey. “Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m fully recovered and I’m able to come back bigger and stronger than ever, ready to show the fans of K-1 and my fans in Japan just what The British Bulldog can do!”

“I can’t remember ever having to pull Bailey out of a fight or a tournament before,” said Dean. “But following an examination by Ian Andrews of Oakwood Physiotherapy in Bingham that revealed a stress fracture with associated bone marrow oedema, an MRI scan was carried out and we were left with no alternative but to contact the promoters to tell them that it wouldn’t be possible for him to compete in the 8-Man Tournament in September.

“Not a decision we took lightly – we were both devastated that it had to be made as it’s been Bailey’s dream to fight in Japan since a very early age and everything we’ve done till now, including his ISKA World Title win in Grantham back in March, has been for this moment.

“But as Bailey says, hopefully it won’t be long before he’s back in the game and ready to make that dream come true.”

Photos by Gary Orgles, Rooster and Monkey Productions