CALGARY, March 10, 2011 – World Boxing Council Light Welterweight Youth Intercontinental Champion Steve ‘The Dragon’ Claggett of Canada (11-0-1, 6 KOs) is making his first trip overseas where he will fight in the boxing hotbed of Cebu City, Philippines on March 19. Currently ranked No. 40 in the world at 140 pounds by the WBC, Claggett will be featured on ALA Promotions’ “Pinoy Pride 4” card at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino where he will face Davao City’s Romeo Jakosalem (11-4-1, 5 KOs).
Claggett is coming off an impressive third round TKO win over previously unbeaten Mexican Jose Julio Mendoza in January that captured him the esteemed WBC youth title. The 21-year old Chinese-Canadian charge had a big year in 2010 where he racked up five straight victories, four coming by way of knockout. He finished off the year serving as a sparring partner for current 140-pound world champion Zab Judah and No. 1 ranked lightweight contender Urbano Antillon.
Widely considered one of Canada’s top boxing prospects, Claggett is now looking to make his mark internationally.
“It’s important for me to establish myself here in Canada but I feel I’m ready to go worldwide,” Claggett said this week from his Calgary based training camp. “The Philippines is one of the hottest destinations in the world for boxing right now and I am ready to go out there and perform. ALA Promotions has given me a tremendous opportunity to show the world what I can do and I won’t disappoint. This is my time to shine.”
Claggett will be accompanied on the trip by his long time trainer, Filipino-Canadian Eric de Guzman.
The two have been inseparable since Claggett joined de Guzman’s Teofista Boxing Gym as a 13 year old and the young Pinoy trainer knows all too well what an impressive win in front of Filipino boxing fans would mean for the pair.
“Filipino boxing fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world,” de Guzman said. “The people of Cebu can expect to see an exciting pressure fighter in Steve Claggett who throws heavy shots to the body. I think that because of his style, Steve will make many new fans fighting in the Philippines.”
The trip will be de Guzman’s first visit to the Philippines where he will work the corner of his prized young fighter.
“PINOY PRIDE 4: Philippines vs The World” is a presentation of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports and is also brought to you by the City Government of Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, SM City Cebu, Parkmall, Diamond Suites Cebu and Mooon Café.
The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is one of the Philippines’ famous landmarks. Located 30 minutes from Mactan international Airport, and a stone’s throw away from the city’s financial district and best attractions, the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is proud to play host to some of the country’s biggest boxing events.