At 30, Steve Claggett forced his hand at Eye of the Tiger Management for a contract after putting on quite a show battling Quebecers Mathieu Germain and Yves Ulysse Jr.
Then, at age 33, still respecting his rough style, Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs) was rewarded. He took the measure of Alberto Machado (23-4, 19 KOs) and incidentally got his hands on the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) welterweight title.
During the semi-final fight of the Bazinyan-Macias gala at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, the Albertan quickly imposed his style against a former super featherweight world champion and it paid off. Now the Canadiens are aiming higher than ever.
“You have to chase this idea in boxing that when you don’t have a perfect record, you can’t go to the top. You have to be persistent and not be afraid to face the best, “he said after his fight, wearing his new belt at the waist.
“I want to show that despite my record, I can do it. […] I’m one of the best at 140 lbs,” he added.
This performance will certainly add some luster to his business card. He knocked his rival to the mat in rounds two and three before seeing the opposing coach throw in the towel moments later.
What awaits him? “Anyone,” he said. I want to face a top 10 opponent.”
Once again, the priority will not be to protect his title, but to always go higher.
His friends had bet on him. They cheered him on throughout the fight. Avery Martin-Duval (10-0-1, 6 KOs) could only thank them by offering them a victory.
Despite a performance he deemed worthy of a “C-“, he won by knockout. technical in the 3rd round against Andres Sanchez Ramirez (6-7-3, 2 KOs).
“I can look even more professional.” Land more jabs, more feints and always be on the move. I’m going to have to work on details like that to get my grade up,” the perfectionist said.
Thomas Chabot (9-0, 7 KOs) admittedly won his fight against Luis Bolanos Lopez (4-3-1) by split decision, but the crowd disagreed with the verdict. Several supporters have allowed themselves to boo the decision of the judges to grant the victory to the Quebecer. The winner did not speak with the media after his fight because he needed stitches.
Alexandre Gaumont (8-0, 6 KOs) lived up to the old adage “never two without three”. He had to send the Polish Piotr Bis (6-3-1, 2 KO) to the mat three times before seeing the referee stop the fight in the 2nd round.
“I felt like I had to break his nose to win,” he said after his victory, a big smile on his face and an even bulkier pair of glasses.
Montrealer Christopher Guerrero (7-0, 2 KOs) had to fight hard, but ultimately, he was able to win against Heriberto Santillan Montano (3-1, 2 KOs). After several combinations to the body where the Mexican looked like a punching bag, the referee stopped the fight in the 5th round.
Quebec native Wilkens Mathieu (3-0, 2 KOs) can thank his close guard for his victory against Jesus Frias Rodriguez (4-2, 2 KOs). During the duel, one of his relatives shouted at him to use his right more. Moments later, he did and sent his opponent to the mat. ” He was right. I hadn’t used my right enough until then,” Mathieu said after the duel.
It is a convincing victory after his last duel which went to the limit. This time he can add a K.-O. on his card.
“People find it taboo to say we’re looking for the knockout, but it’s true. Fans like it and want to see it. If you want people to be excited to come watch you box and build a fan base, you need to have knockouts. I want to mix smart boxing while being explosive. »
As a curtain raiser, the Colombian Jhon Orobio (3-0, 3 KOs), protected by Marc Ramsay, was as explosive as usual and got rid of his rival Reymundo Gutierrez (1- 1, 1 KO) in 1 minute and 33 seconds.
Another fight was on the program, that of Mary Spencer. However, the adopted Montrealer had to withdraw again a little more than a week before the fight due to a back injury. Her duel against the Brazilian Adriana Dos Santos Araujo has therefore been postponed.
