Photo: Vincent Ethier – In the middle of the Dragon’s Year, the myth could become reality if Steve Claggett (37-7-2, 26 KOs) manages to upset the WBO super-lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs), this Saturday.
It’s pretty easy to know who will support who in the world championship fight between Teofimo Lopez and Steve Claggett next Saturday. The Takeover’s fans will back the champ, and boxing fans will cheer for the Dragon.
Everyone loves underdogs, even more so when they’ve earned their chance.
‘He didn’t steal it, that’s for sure,’ says his trainer Mike Moffa. ‘We know that luck tends to favour those who deserve it. It will take more than that, anyway, but now it’s up to Steve Claggett to prove that he belongs.’
Same as Before
Prove that he belongs? Yes, because Steve Claggett is viewed as a 9 to 1 underdog by some betting sites. Nothing alarming, though, because it is nothing new.
‘Steve was overlooked – for what? – 42 fights before teaming up with Eye of the Tiger. I really don’t think it’s going to be a factor,’ told Giuseppe Moffa, who will step in for his father Mike, as the man in charge of Claggett’s corner this Saturday.
In that blue corner, there will also be Mick Gadbois, Marc Ramsay, Samuel Décarie-Drolet and, of course, Steve Claggett, who’s just embracing the underdog’s mentality.
‘I have been overlook my whole life. It’s a position that I know and in which I am comfortable. As it has always been, it’s just give me even more motivation,’ says the Alberta native.
Heart of a lion Dragon
Giuseppe Moffa may say that Teofimo Lopez will break down at the end of the fight, but the task will not be easy. His father, Mike, is as honest as usual about what awaits Claggett.
‘Teofimo Lopez is a phenom. We know that he probably hits harder than Steve Claggett. We know he’s probably faster than Steve Claggett,’ he said, before continuing. ‘But does he have more heart than Steve Claggett? I don’t think so.’
Now, will the heart be enough?
Unanimously
Some believe the difference in Lopez’s speed, power and timing will be too great for Claggett’s heart, courage and hard work to prevail. However, these last three points will be precisely what will make the difference according to ‘Teo’ himself.
‘Anyone can have a good night, but this fight will be won behind closed doors, in the gym. Who worked the most? Who suffered the most? On June 29, Steve Claggett will just have to show up to realize that it’s me,’ told us Lopez a few days earlier.
For once, everyone agrees. It is only the outcome that differs.
‘I’ve been a fighter my whole life. I don’t know exactly if it’s a good thing, but I don’t have a wife or children. I have given everything I have to boxing so far. So like [Lopez] said, if it really is a contest of who worked the hardest, as I also believe it will be, I will become world champion on June 29,’ says Claggett.
Good time to believe
Anyone in Canada dreams of this happy ending, where perseverance would triumph.
It’s true that Lopez should win. It would be logical, but if upsets didn’t exist, a champion would keep his belt forever. But still, for some, it’s easier to hide behind a 9 to 1 betting favourite. Because how easy it is to say ‘I’m just realistic,’ ‘he doesn’t have a chance’ and brag about being a genius the 8 times out of 9 that it happens.
Yet, if Claggett had no chance, he never would have had his chance.
Think about it. Twenty-five years ago, Steve Claggett was not yet the Dragon, he was just a kid playing hockey in some Calgary’s arenas. Really, he was more about fighting other kids on ice than becoming the next Gretzky. Also, he had never set foot in a boxing gym yet…
At this very moment, if you had been asked the question – do you see a championship fighter in Steve Claggett? – your answer would undoubtedly have exceeded 9 to 1.
In fact, there was a time when you would have rather believe that dragons are real than imagine Steve Claggett where he is today… Let alone where he might be in a few days.
But here we are. It’s not fiction anymore, it’s prizefighting.
Because surprise, this Saturday, Steve Claggett will be in Florida, 12 bell sounds away from the greatest glory.
So, by the way, do you believe the ‘Dragon’ is real now?
