Chad ‘2 Slick’  Sugden will be back on the road to glory next month, heading to the fight capital of the world to take on the 2012 K-1 Max Grand Prix Champion Murthel ‘The Predator’ Groenhart.

Friday 7 August will see the 21 year-old Suggy’s Gym fighter co-headlining the GLORY 23 Superfight Series at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“Am I excited? We’re going to Vegas baby, it’s every fighter’s dream and I can’t wait,” said Chad, the youngest ever ISKA Pro World Champion.

“This is my opportunity to show everyone just what I can do on the biggest kickboxing promotion in the world. Murthel is undefeated at 77kg, at 28 he’s in his prime right now and he’s a fighter most people fear. People are saying it’s a big step up for me but I’m ready for it – I earned it and I’m going to own it!”

Fighting out of the world-famous Mike’s Gym in Amsterdam, 2 Slick’s Dutch-Surinamese opponent was ranked the number 7 welterweight in the world by GLORY as of May 2015. Prior to taking the K-1 Max championship in 2012, Murthel was the K-1 Italy Oktagan champion in 2008 and currently fights within the It’s Showtime organisation.

“The Vegas show is stacked with talent and Chad’s right in the mix after defeating Atakan Arslan on GLORY 20 in Dubai,” said head coach and dad Dean Sugden.

“There’s no doubt this fight with Murthel will be a tough one but Chad has matured into this weight division and it suits him; on his day, I believe he can beat anyone. And he relishes being the underdog. He was when he fought Atakan in April and look what happened then – he absolutely played with him.”

At 21, Chad’s already rubbing shoulders with legends of the sport – both Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson are expected to be in Vegas for GLORY 23. But for now his feet are firmly on the ground as he prepares for his latest challenge.

“He’ll be making his regular sparring trip to Holland, to train at the renowned Hemmers Gym in Breda but, as always, most of his training will be here at Suggy’s Gym,” said Dean. “It’s an exciting time, not just for Chad and our other professionals but for all the youngsters who train with us at the gym and are inspired by what they see our fighters achieving.”