Well, everyone knew boxing could be cruel. At the end of the day, you’re still walking into a fight where you’re going to get punched in the head, hoping to win. But what I learned during my time in England is just how hard it can be to process a loss.
One Day Before the Fight
I arrived at Wembley a few hours before the official weigh-in for the fight between Steve Claggett and Adam Azim.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly for the Eye of the Tiger boxer. His weight was on point, he felt good physically, and most importantly, mentally. Whenever he was asked about his outlook on the fight, he had only one answer: “The Dragon is going to surprise everyone.”
And it was obvious that he genuinely believed it. He wasn’t trying to convince anyone. The work had been done, and that’s truly how he felt.
At the weigh-in, people were asking him for autographs, photos, and interviews. Steve genuinely seemed to be living some of the best moments of his career with just over 24 hours remaining before the fight.
Photo: Boxxer – Steve Claggett
It was also there that his trainer, the renowned Mike Moffa, offered me the chance to help out in the corner. In championship fights, four people are allowed in a boxer’s corner. But this wasn’t a championship fight…
Something television didn’t seem to realize, because they still listed my name as one of the people in his corner.
Fight Day
On the big day, the preparation didn’t stop there. Every meal continued to be carefully planned according to the time remaining before entering the arena.
We went to an Italian restaurant about three hours before the fight, one of the only places with an open patio.
Almost all the patios were closed because of a rugby match taking place in the city. Regulations prohibiting alcohol consumption near Wembley Stadium during events force many businesses to limit service to indoor dining.
Our waitress’s facial expression was worth a thousand words when Steve ordered spaghetti with olive oil.
Which brought us to the big moment.
Photo: Boxxer – Steve Claggett (right)
Up to that point, everything had gone well. We headed to Wembley Arena with confidence. The objective was clear: pull off the upset.
About an hour before the fight, Steve started stretching and skipping rope. Mike brought out the mitts and put him through some drills, and I have to admit that his fighter looked to be in tremendous shape. There was a palpable energy in the dressing room that inspired confidence.
I then went to take my seat, and the fight began.
The Alberta native stayed true to his style and immediately started applying pressure on his opponent. Things got off to a good start, as he landed several punches on Adam Azim.
But as soon as the Briton’s first uppercut connected, blood started pouring from Steve’s nose.
He even admitted it afterward: “When the punch landed, I felt it and I actually heard my face crack.”
Steve was well prepared, but sometimes in boxing, that’s simply not enough. The Englishman won the fight in the third round.
It wasn’t because Claggett could have prepared better. It wasn’t because he isn’t good enough. It’s simply the cruelty of a sport we love so much. Sometimes you’re on the right side of the equation, and sometimes you’re not.
Photo: Boxxer – Adam Azim (right)
Still, in a situation like this, how do you explain to a fighter that these things happen?
Steve had never experienced a defeat quite like this one.
And that night, he ended up spending the evening in the hospital. He admitted that he wasn’t able to sleep once he returned to his hotel room.
The Day After the Fight
When we went down for breakfast at the hotel, Steve was back.
His right eye was completely swollen shut from the punches he had absorbed just hours earlier.
He understood the situation, but he couldn’t lie to himself: it was depressing.
And it was obvious that the loss affected him more than he let on. And that’s normal. Fans often forget that our modern-day gladiators are still human beings.
Defeats are part of sports, and some hurt more than others.
Photo: Boxxer – Adam Azim (right)
Ultimately, the most important thing is the fighter’s health, and at least Steve escaped without any serious injuries.
But seeing a boxer in that condition after a loss truly offers a different perspective on the sport.
Seeing someone sacrifice everything for their preparation and still not achieve the result they wanted.
It’s a reminder that the highs are high, but the lows can be just as low.
As much as we love boxing, it is an unforgiving sport.
