LAS VEGAS (September 10, 2016) – The heat was on last night at “Knockout Night at the D,” in and out of the ring, thoroughly entertaining another sold-out crowd at the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
On a stacked card that had fans on their feet all night, Canadian Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (24-4-1, 16 KOs) upset Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (15-1-1, 5 KOs) in the main event, promoted in association with Bobby D Presents, but it was Neeco “The Rooster” Macias (13-0, 7 KOs) who stole the show in the co-feature
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions. Hall Of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside on CBS Sports Network in North America and internationally via ESPN.
Claggett, fighting out of Calgary, Canada, dropped down one weight class. Coming off a disputed 10-round decision loss to Chris van Heerden this past April, also at the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center, Claggett won a 10-round majority decision (98-92, 98-92, 94-96) tonight for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) welterweight title. His expert body work allowed him to dictate the pace of the boxing match.
“This is a long time coming, Claggett admitted. “I took the loss (vs. van Heerden) in stride, vowing to go back to the gym and make changes. I went down to 140 (lbs.) and it was the right decision. I’m stronger. I I really worked hard.
“I landed a couple of shots that hurt him noticeably. He’s tough. Robles is a champion in the making. I have a lot of respect for him. This is my life. It (his loss to van Heerden) fueled me. The fire’s back in me. I love fighting in Las Vegas.”
