Philippines, 22 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Vargas Takes Shot at Claggett, Ready for Rivera


PhilBoxing.com



Samuel Vargas.

Boxing Fans,

When I started talking to Samuel Vargas Manager Lee Baxter last week, I knew very little about the 25 year old Toronto, Ontario based boxer some people refer to as Sammy ?The Bull? Vargas. Lee is more than a hired hand; he is a valued friend to the Multi tattooed pugilist who also frequents the tattoo establishment (Forever Young Ink) owned by the enterprising Mr. Baxter. The two men have bonded after 5 years of acquaintance; lee has served 2 of those years as manager and they live and work out of Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Samuel Vargas (17-1-1) was born in the Latin American Country of Colombia where an unfortunate and horrific childhood incident (age 13) led to his departure from his native land and his eventual migrating to Canada in 2004 with his Mom where he took up boxing as a prescribed antidote to curb his frequent bouts of teenage angst. Mom knew best.

Vargas replaces Calgary based welterweight Steve Claggett who bowed out after a ?dog bite? to one of his hands rendered him unable to fight on the July 6 card in Calgary where he was to face tough Mexican veteran Jose Jesus Rivera, 26-10 at the Roadhouse, a popular night spot. It is according to Box Rec., Vargas? first professional fight in Calgary and the same can be said about Rivera who fights almost exclusively in Mexico. According to Baxter, Vargas has no fear of Rivera and I am sure Rivera feels confident he can beat Vargas in their scheduled for 8 round encounter at the Roadhouse.

Vargas doesn?t fear Claggett one bit either. The two have verbally clashed for years. The two men are night and day apart in style and personality.

Vargas was born in the Barrios of Colombia whereas Claggett is the darling of faithful groupies who cheer every move he makes during a bout. In simple laymen?s terms, it?s a clash between white collar and no collar. Claggett is a showman and a self-promoter. Vargas is no nonsense. Like I said, night and day.

The event, ?Redemption under the Tent? will feature 6 bouts including the return of popular Janks Trotter vs. rugged Phil Rose. Also on the playbill are the professional debuts of two former national champions: Alex Torres Rynn and the Polish ?Punch-out? Lukasz Wierzbicki (3-0). Rynn meets MMA trained Kyle Oliveira from Winnipeg and the Polish war machine faces confident Edmonton Alberta fighter Keegan Oliver in his debut ring performance. Everyone is looking for redemption.

Vargas is a champion, he holds an NABA belt and he did possess the Canadian welterweight belt but it was stripped from him in 2013 when boxing authorities in Canada determined the 25 year old Colombia born native didn?t defend the belt within time constraints.; Vargas peeps aren?t happy with the decision. It is still a sore spot with Vargas knowing that the commission called for a box off for the belt between Francesco Controni with Claggett winning the belt with a 6th round TKO victory.
Baxter, or so it seems, would rather put the issue of Claggett in his rear view mirror but he does admit that a bag of cash would help him re-consider and then the same breath he adds ?that ain?t going to happen?. I tried one more time to clarify the situation by sending and email this interesting response was returned. If expletives offend, please have someone read this reply to him or her. Here is the question, followed by an immediate response:

ABNN: For almost two years, printed and whispered rumors have circulated that a possible match with Steve Claggett (Calgary) would happen! Will it happen and is there any ?real? bad blood between the two of you?

Vargas: ?Claggett is a bitch. Ya, I said it, but it doesn?t matter what is said anymore because he always backs out of the fight. But for some reason if he manned up and decided to fight me, I would do it without a doubt?.

Vargas Response on the difference between poverty in Colombia, U.S.A. and Canada? ?Well when you?re poor in Columbia there isn?t much of an opportunity to turn that around where as in North America there is a lot of government help and opportunities?.

Official Vargas response to Pablo Munguia (UD) loss in Mexico City: ?Mexico City is very corrupt, we realized the only way Sam could have beat him is with a knockout because the judges are supporting the home boy. But, unfortunately Sam injured his hand badly in the second round; so, Sam was forced to fight him with a jab and left hook. And for sure we would like a rematch but not in Mexico City.

Traditional pre-fight festivities include a July 4 press conference (open to the public) at the Shooting Edge (5-7 pm), 403-720-4867 for directions. All fighters will be present and available for pictures and Autographs. The official weigh-in will be held at the comfortable Shamrock Hotel (Saturday July 5 2-4 pm) in Calgary and call for directions at 403-290-0084. The weigh-in is also open to the public. Tickets are available through the Roadhouse and www.fanbasebolxing.com. Until Next Time


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Indiana Keeps Coming and Snatches Game One, Shocks New York in OT, 138-135 at MSG
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • The Pacquiao Quarters for the Barrios Fight – A Brilliant Choice!
    By Ed de la Vega, DDS, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Filipinos Run 130,000 Kilometers in FundLife’s ‘Move for Equity’ Campaign for Gender Equality and Girls’ Safety
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • DAVID STEVENS TO FACE PETR KHAMUKOV IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN EVENT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20, LIVE ON DAZN FROM THUNDER STUDIOS
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • ARMANDO RESENDIZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION NINO BENVENUTI
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Daniel Miranda Ready to Take on 2025 Irohazaka Car Meet Drift Series
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Top Rank Signs Dominican Olympian Euri “La Bazooka” Cedeño to Co-Promotional Pact with King’s Promotions
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao Confirms Return to Ring Against Mario Barrios on July 19
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 2 - FIRST ALI-FRAZIER FIGHT, THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • CLARESSA SHIELDS’ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • The Natural: Top Rank Signs Teenage Sensation Julian Montalvo to Promotional Contract
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • Paras and Gaballo Set to Battle Thai Contenders in Gensan
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • WBC #2 BADILLO TO FACE WBC #8 ZAPATA IN LIGHT FLYWEIGHT FINAL ELIMINATOR ON PROBOX TV, JULY 11
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • Who is Mario Barrios?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 May 2025: Sam Goodman, Carlos Cuadras, Dave Allen Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • PACQUIAO BACK AT WILDCARD GYM: A LEGEND'S RETURN TO GLORY
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • Argentinian Soto tests positive for cannabis after surprising victory over "Magnifico" Nuñez in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1 - MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III AFTER 50 YEARS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • IM Garcia tops Lomibao rapid chessfest; pockets P20,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • Pacquiao Arrives in Los Angeles, Fight Announcement Imminent
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Oklahoma Thrashes Denver Nuggets in Game 7, 125-93, Completes NBA Final Four
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Results from Panamà City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Antonio Vargas Elevated to WBA World Bantamweight Champion
    , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN MANCHESTER ON JULY 5 LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sun, 18 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.