News: Saul Sanchez, Ruben Torres, Claggett, Hobson Card, More

Thompson Boxing Promotions bolstered its crop of quality, young talent by signing two, high-end prospects, the Southern California promotional outfit announced on Monday.
 
New to the Thompson Boxing roster are a pair of unbeaten standouts in lightweight Ruben Torres (3-0, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles and bantamweight Saul Sanchez (6-0, 4 KOs) of Indio, Calif. by way of No. Hollywood.
 
Both Torres and Sanchez are well known to the company. Torres has fought all of his professional fights on Thompson Boxing undercards, while Sanchez has made four appearances, all wins, with the aforementioned promoter.
 
The 20-year-old Torres, trained and managed by Danny Zamora, has started strong right from the jump registering three straight first round knockout wins.
 
"It's an incredible feeling to sign with Thompson Boxing," said Torres, who had a 55-15 mark in the unpaid ranks. "I understand there is a lot of work ahead, but I am up for the challenge. I have a great team behind me and I look forward to getting better with every fight."
 
Sanchez, 20, is trained by Joel Diaz and managed by Steve Martini. Like Torres, Sanchez has shown incredible natural ability at the outset of his professional career. His most recent knockout win - versus Nestor Ramos in October - was of the one-punch variety in the opening round.
 
"This is what I've been working toward my whole life," said Sanchez, who tallied a 90-18 record as an amateur. "I'm extremely thankful to everyone at Thompson Boxing for giving me this opportunity. I've earned it through hard work and I'm going to continue to dedicate myself to the sport."
 
"We signed two, exceptional young men," said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. "Both Ruben and Saul are tireless workers with high potential. They like to thrill fans with their knockout ability. It won't take them long to start making a name for themselves in their respective divisions."
 
Sanchez will be active on Feb. 16, when Thompson Boxing opens its monthly boxing series from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. An opponent for Sanchez will be announced at a later date. Torres will likely be scheduled for a fight in either March or April.

KO Night Boxing LLC announced it has signed popular Canadian junior welterweight Steve "The Dragon" Claggett to an exclusive promotional contract.
 
The Las Vegas-based company also has 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and undefeated Wichita flyweight, Nico Hernandez (3-0), 2 KOs), among its growing stable of professional boxers.
 
The 28-year-old Claggett (26-4-1, 17 KOs), fighting out of Calgary, is a fan-favorite because of his aggressive, non-stop style. Since the ultra-aggressive Claggett moved back down one division to junior welterweight, Claggett is a perfect 3-0 (1 KO), including a pair of title-winning 10-round decisions over previously unbeaten opponents, Yves Ulysse, Jr. (14-0) for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) North American super lightweight title, as well as Emmanuel Robles (15-0-1) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) NABA USA super lightweight crown.
 
"I'm excited to be signed by John Andersen and KO Night Boxing," Claggett said. "There were no guarantees (without a promoter). I've always had the talent but never the structure. I'll have that now, though. It was always difficult making fights with long layoffs, dates falling through, and offers on short notice. I've only been able to show a little of what I'm capable. All I've ever wanted is a fair shake and this opportunity will allow me to show what I can do. This year is going to be big for me and KO Night Boxing.
 
"I'm just approaching my prime. I've only been working with my trainer, Vlad Goldenstein, for a little more than a year, but I'm 3-0 with him and have won two belts. I'm an old-school fighter, action-packed and who brings the pace. This is a great for me and my boxing career."
 
"We're taking a big step in the right direction by signing Steve," Claggett's new promoter Andersen commented. "I'm excited. Steve deserves this opportunity and we're going to deliver for him.
 
"Steve is an action fighter, always coming forward, and he hasn't been in a bad fight during the three years I've known him. He took a risk but really opened some eyes with his performance against Ulysse. What an accomplishment fighting an undefeated fighter in his backyard. He took a big risk and got a big win.  And now he's beaten the man (Ulysse) who has beaten the man (21-0 Cletus Seldin, WDEC10, Dec. 16, 2017 on HBO). Steve's undefeated on this run as a junior welterweight, beating two previously unbeaten opponents, and he deserves more recognition and a shot at a big fight."
 
"Steve's an animal in the squared circle and the farthest thing from it outside the ring," Claggett's manager Max Matheny added. "He has all the attributes of a champion. His boxing IQ and ability to adapt under pressure makes Claggett a serious challenge. He can beat anybody in the division on any given night. We've had a multitude of promotional offers to consider at the end of a strong 2017 and are very excited to align with KO Night Boxing. They are going to give us the opportunities to show the world how good 'The Dragon' really is. His signature is turning into an autograph in 2018, mark my words."
 
The boxing irony is that Ulysse, not Claggett, is now world ranked. Considering the half-Chinese, half-European Claggett beat Ulysse in his Montreal hometown, Steve proved that he'll fight anybody, anywhere, unlike many fighters who make that claim but don't back it up. "Me and my team aren't afraid to fight anybody," he spoke about his most significant fight to date. "Bring it on! I'm willing to fight in hostile territory against an A-side fighter. We don't pick and choose. Too many fighters pad their records, but that only upsets fans, and delays fights. I'm looking for tough fights to judge how much I've grown. I'd love to fight the top guys.
 
"My fight with Ulysse was my biggest but not best fight. I thought I boxed a little robotic and fell back into some old habits. I'd give myself a B- for that fight. I got the win and put on a great show that was fast paced. Ulysse and Robles box, run and move. I'd like an opponent who comes to me, stays in the pocket, and fights. I know it'll be a helluva fight."
 
Maybe Claggett's next fight will be on a higher platform, perhaps, against a legitimate fighter's fighter like Steve.

Dennis Hobson Promotions, a leading boxing promotional and management company, is proud to be announcing the final schedule for their inaugural boxing show for 2018.  The show will be promoted in association with Doncaster-based Stefy Bull Promotions.  The “Men of Steel Bill” will be headlined by British Bantamweight Champion, Josh Wale, who will be defending his title for the fourth time to win it outright against challenger Bobby Jenkinson.

Another title bout contested on the show will be for the vacant English title, which will be contested between undefeated Loua Nassa (10-0) and Brad Watson.  The event takes place at Sheffield Ponds Forge Arena on Friday, 2nd February 2018.  Doors open at 18:00 GMT and the televised proportion of the card will be aired on free-to-air sports channel, FreeSports (Sky Channel 424; Freeview Channel 95; Talk Talk Channel 95; BT Channel 95). The live televised broadcast from the event will air at 20:00 GMT.  The card will also feature Kyle Yousaf, Danny Kennedy, Danny Tombs, Dan West, Anthony Thomlinson and Muma Mweeba in non-title fights.

Dennis Hobson, Promoter for the show, said: “There is no better way to kick-off the year than with a card headlined by two title fights. I’m particularly excited by the fact that the show will be available to the British public for free through our broadcast partner, FreeSports.

“We are extremely optimistic about the next 12 months and we will soon be announcing new signings, who are household names, and more shows to be aired on FreeSports. Boxing is going through some monumental changes and what we offer is different to our rivals. And we are seeing that this is making us an attractive partner for fighters and like-minded promoters.”