At 30, Steve Claggett forced Eye of the Tiger Management to offer him a contract after putting on quite a show in front of Quebecers Mathieu Germain and Yves Ulysse Jr.
Then, at 33, still respecting his rough fighter style, Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs) was rewarded. He took the measure of Alberto Machado (23-4, 19 KOs) and incidentally won the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) welterweight title.
During the semi-final battle of the Bazinyan-Macias gala at the Casino de Montréal cabaret, 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 stop this stigma 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 his 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 give him some credit for his business card. He knocked his rival to the ground in rounds two and three before seeing the opposing coach throw in the towel moments later.
What is he waiting for? “Anyone,” he said. I want to face an opponent from top 10. »
Once again, the priority will not be to protect his title, but to always go higher.
Martin-Duval’s wager
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Andres Sanchez Ramirez and Avery Martin-Duval
His friends had bet on him. They cheered him on throughout the fight. Avery Martin-Duval (10-0-1, 6 KOs) had no choice but to thank them with a win.
Despite a performance that he deemed “C-“, he won thanks to K.-O. technique at 3e round against Andres Sanchez Ramirez (6-7-3, 2 K.-O.).
“I can have even more than one 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,” said the perfectionist.
A controversial fight and other decisive ones
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Thomas Chabot and Luis Bolanos Lopez.
Thomas Chabot (9-0, 7 KOs) certainly won his fight against Luis Bolanos Lopez (4-3-1) by split decision, but the crowd did not agree with the verdict. Several supporters took the liberty of booing the judges’ decision to award the victory to the Quebecer. The winner did not speak with the media after his fight as he required stitches.
Alexandre Gaumont (8-0, 6 K.-O.) respected the old adage: never two without three. He needed to send the Polish Piotr Bis (6-3-1, 2 KOs) to the mat three times before seeing the referee stop the fight at 2e round.
“I felt like I had to break his nose to win,” he said after his win, a big smile, but an even bigger pair of glasses on his face.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Piotr Bis and Alexandre Gaumont
Montrealer Christopher Guerrero (7-0, 2 KOs) had to work 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 at 5e round.
The native of Quebec Wilkens Mathieu (3-0, 2 K.-O.) will be able to thank his close guard for his victory against Jesus Frias Rodriguez (4-2, 2 K.-O.). During the duel, one of his relatives shouted to use his right more. Moments later, he did so and knocked his opponent to the ground. ” He was right. I hadn’t used my right enough until then,” said Mathieu after the duel.
It’s a convincing victory after his last duel which went to the limit. This time he can add a K.-O. on his record.
“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 K.-O.), 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 schedule; 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. The duel against the Brazilian Adriana Dos Santos Araujo has therefore been postponed.