The incredible comeback of junior welterweight Steve Claggett’s career continues.
Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs), 34-years-old, nicknamed ‘The Dragon’ came out fast and furious in his fight Thursday as he pressed forward and gave Marcos Gonzalez Barraza (23-4, 11 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, all that he could handle.
Claggett used his volume and pressure to overwhelm Barraza who couldn’t seem to keep off the ropes. Claggett also targeted Barraza’s body early on in the fight, especially with a left hook.
Barraza did not answer the bell for the third round. The official ruling of the bout was a technical knockout in round two in favor of Steve Claggett.
Claggett now holds four wins in seven months. Two of the wins are world-class against contender Miguel Madueno and former world champion, Alberto Machado.
Decorated amateur Mary Spencer (8-2, 6 KOs), meanwhile, who fights in the junior middleweight division, stopped Sonya Dreiling (6-4, 2 KOs) in the first round — Dreiling didn’t answer the bell.
This snapped a two-fight losing streak for Spencer as the 39-year-old fighter had lost consecutive bouts to Femke Hermans.
Spencer has six first-round knockouts in her pro career.
Rising prospect lightweight Jhon Orobio (6-0, 6 KOs) stopped Juan Carlos Ramirez (5-5, 3 KOs) in the second round. A body shot halted the contest.
The telecast brought up super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli has sung the praises of Orobio and his work ethic in the gym.
Super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu (7-0, 4 KOs) forced Oscar Soto Quintana’s (6-5, 2 KOs) corner to throw the towel in. The bout was stopped in the fourth round and Quintana took the fight on short notice.
Middleweight Moreno Fendero (4-0, 3 KOs) picked up a second-round KO over Ricardo Lara (22-12-2, 10 KOs). Fendero dropped Lara in the first round and sent him down two more times in round two. The third knockdown Lara did not get up from.
