A week ago, Steve Claggett threw down a marker to the junior welterweight division by taking out former junior lightweight titleholder Alberto Machado in three rounds at the Montreal Casino, Montreal.

The performance and win were arguably the best of the 33-year-old’s 15-year professional career. He looked spry and fresh and brought his all-action, aggressive style and proved far too strong for the Puerto Rican.

“I think so because of the credentials of the opponent, the fact it was for a title and everything around the fight,” said Claggett (35-7-2, 25 knockouts) to agree with The Ring’s assesment. “I’m happy with it but I’m hungry for more. A part of the game plan was to start fast, start early and get on him right away and that always seems to work for me because I get into the fight right away and I have faith in my endurance and I can go all 10-rounds, or 12 if needs be, like that.

“We keep going, we keep growing. I always like to improve a little bit and like I say, ‘Piece by piece we build a beast.’ This is just another piece to the puzzle. You get better at the preparation, better at the process of going through training camps. The next one is going to be even better. I’m very happy but I’m also very motivated.”

Leading into the fight there was a lot of talk about how this was the first world champion Claggett had fought. However, this was never a concern for the Calgary native.

“I may not have fought world champions but I have sparred with world champions,” he explained. “I actually had the privilege of sparring with Zab Judah when I was 20-years-old. Then I went on to do quite a few training camps with him as a sparring partner. I sparred with Jessie Vargas when he was on his rise to the top. I sparred with Danny Garcia helping him get ready for the [Adrian] Granados fight.

“I have a lot experience with these top guys. I had to remind myself to keep my eyes on the prize. I have nothing but respect for my opponent but I always like to reaffirm myself of the work I’ve done, all the hours I’ve put in the gym. That was a big piece for me.”

With that fight in the history books Claggett is already booked to for Eye of The Tiger’s show in Gatineau, Quebec on September 8.

“I’m so excited for this one because I’m going to be the main event,” he said. “I’ve fought there once before and it’s an awesome town and I had so much fun on that show. This time being the main event, the fight of the night, it motivates me even more. I can’t wait to bring as many people as I can from my side of the country over and I can’t wait to fill the place and give the best performance I can.”

The Montreal-based promoter have already reached out to potential opponents to face Claggett, who has already resumed light training, as well as reviewing the last fight, while things are fresh in his mind.

Claggett knows many of the guys in and around the top 10, top 15 aren’t in a rush to face him.

“It’s a tricky thing when you have loses on your record, my name isn’t all over social media,” he said. “Risk versus reward is part of the boxing game but I know the more I do, the more I show and prove I’ll be able to get up there and show the whole world I didn’t come this far only to come this far and I didn’t invest my life into this game to turn back now. I’m fully motivated.

“The best is yet to come. I’ve never been one to call out names but I want the top 10 at 140-pounds. I’m know I’m ready to show I’m at the same level as these guys and beat these guys.”

Claggett’s promoter, Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger Management, wants to continue to be bullish and force the hand of the other top 140-pounders, while moving his fighter toward his ultimate goal.

“We want to give him the platform for him to shine,” said Estephan. “He will have the main event on September 8 in Gatineau, we’re looking for an opponent of note, somebody ranked.

“We want to make a push for him to be recognized as a legitimate threat to any 140 in the division. We feel he is and want to give him the chance to prove.”

ALSO ON RINGTV:

Steve Claggett aims to make his case for a title bout by taking on former champ Alberto Machado – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Erik Bazinyan, Steve Claggett emerge victorious in Montreal – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

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