Philippines, 01 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


STEVE CLAGGETT, A PROMISING BOXER OUT OF CANADA


PhilBoxing.com




The moment I saw Steve Claggett, the current WBC Youth Intercontinental light welterweight champion, the first thing that came into my mind was Ray ?Boom-Boom? Mancini. Here is a good looking white kid with eyes full of determination as he worked on the hefty punching bag at the Mayweather gym as if there is no tomorrow.

It was only the sound of the alarm that reminded him that he should stop and took a break until the alarm sound again for the next round of training. He was sweating good not mindful of the other boxers training around him nor the presence of Roger Mayweather and other trainers would deter him.

It was time for shadow boxing up the ring and Trainer Tony Martin showed him the ropes. Offense, defense, body and lateral movements, footwork and all those stuff associated with boxing fights. Still the determination was there. There was a sense of discipline and respect for authority that he followed Martin?s cue to the book. Then, shadow boxing was followed by stretching and calisthenics before I was able to sit down with him for an interview.

Though, he might not need it, I requested him to catch his breath for a moment while I interviewed his manager/trainer, Eric de Guzman, a Filipino-Canadian who guided his professional career from day one as he accumulated a 12-1-1 professional record with 7 knock-out wins. His biggest accomplishment so far was winning the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Light Welterweight title on January 14, 2011 via a 3rd round TKO of Mexican Jose Mendoza.

Unfortunately, the only loss that tainted his undefeated record was at the hand of Filipino Romeo Jakosalem at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City, Philippines on March 19, 2011, just over two months after winning his title. That was his only fight outside of Alberta, Canada where he dropped Jakosalem twice in the 3rd round but was himself knocked down in the last minute of the 8th and final round and loss.

De Guzman attributed that loss to Claggett?s not having enough time to acclimatize himself in the Philippine weather and food. Not to mention his legs were fidgety. ?However, knowing that Jakosalem is now the OPBF light welterweight champion and world rated, I think that was a good incentive for Claggett to work harder. Basically, he beat Jakosalem, I thought, up until that 8th round,? De Guzman added. ?It would be nice to go back to the Philippines for a rematch.?

?It was a very good and tough fight and a learning experience for me. Next time I will be prepared. I made mistakes that time. It?s not good to lose and I don?t want to lose again. I don?t want to disappoint people and the harder I work, the further I go. Keep going, going and the title will not be that far. I like boxing because it?s hard work. You work really really hard for something. You train every day. You think about it every day. And every day, I think about the fight. I focus. I know if I work hard and I put my work into it, it will make it much better if I win the fight. This year, 2012, I want to fight 5 or 6 times. I am a full time boxer and a part time student. Boxing is my main focus and I believe I have all the attributes to be a champion someday,? Claggett commented on his loss and his future.

?Tony is a very stern guy and if you don?t listen he will yell at you. That is something I want Steve to deal with. Steve, the harder the fight goes the harder he will go. In 3-years time, if we can get 5 or 6 fights a year from today it would be realistic to say that he can be fighting for a title,? De Guzman said. This was echoed by Claggett by saying that ?I see myself winning a world title.?

When asked about his fight to Mendoza when he captured his WBC title, ?I felt that it was a good fight. I was down here in Las Vegas a month before training. I did some sparring here at Mayweather gym. I was really prepared. I was strong . Mendoza was 7-0 and he had some fights that nobody knew about. I have a lot of sparring and did hard work and I know before the fight that I was gonna beat him.

?This is my 3rd time training with Tony Martin and every time I got better. Tony is very experience. I listen to him and I know if I do what he says I will be better and better,? Claggett said.

Claggett is training at Mayweather gym as he prepares for his 15th fight on January 13, 2012 in Alberta, Canada against Mexican Antonio dos Santos.

If Claggett is true to his words, to his hard work, discipline and ambition, he will be one true full-bloodied Canadian his people north of America will be cheering about and be proud of.
One fight a time, Steve, and you will not be that far.

Photo: Canada's Steve Claggett (R) does the mitts with British trainer Tony Martin at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas. Photo by Rod Mijares.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 29 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.