Steve Claggett from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has a ‘Rocky Balboa’ kind of situation ahead of him! The 35-year-old is rather unknown but is well-versed in the art of pugilism with 47 bouts under his belt as he heads into a battle against WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. While Claggett has suffered some setbacks in his 16-year-long career, his work in the ring garnered him the nickname ‘The Dragon’ for a reason.

Ahead of his 48th professional bout on 29th June at the James L. Knight Center, Miami Beach, Florida, Claggett told The Ring Magazine, “[I’m] very excited, very prepared, I’m pulling out all the stops. I’m working as hard as I can, as smart as I can”. While the world awaits to witness what the Calgarian has to show, his nickname has become the talk of the town among fans awaiting the clash. Spoiler Alert: It seems to have roots in his Chinese heritage, despite being born in the country with the maple leaf flag!

How did Steve Claggett get his nickname ‘The Dragon’?

No, Claggett can’t breathe fire, even though he might wish to! The real reason is much more wholesome and would come to define his fighting spirit. Sometime in 2009, the Chinese-Canadian professional boxer traveled to California, already having secured a few victories from himself. He was there to visit some local boxing gyms in the city with his friends tagging along. 

On one of those days, the Calgarian and his friends were driving along the streets of Los Angeles when one of them was left dumbfounded after learning that Claggett still didn’t have a nickname. It quickly became a conquest to discover the most fitting moniker for the talented young boxer, which defines him best. 

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“He said to me, ‘You gotta have a nickname!’ so we spent the day in the car thinking about it, and he finally asked me, ‘What are your origins?’ I told him Chinese, and he replied, ‘Perfect, why not the Dragon?’”, the 35-year-old told Punching Grace. 

Steve Claggett’s connection to the Chinese culture

The moniker also signifies his origins in China, from where his maternal grandfather came to Canada along with his family to give his future generations a better life. And a better life for Claggett has always meant boxing, so much so that the Canada-born boxer would love to take the show back to China. 

In a May 2013 interview with the Boxing Voice, Claggett said, “A lot of people don’t know that I’m Chinese/Irish. I have a dream to one day fight in Macau. I think that would be incredible”. However, his faith and connection to China go deeper, much deeper! Before every fight, Claggett channels his culture to prepare himself mentally for the action in the ring. 

Calm and relaxed, ‘The Dragon’ can often be found reading in his locker room before a fight begins, as if it was meditation for him, a source of confidence. And what does he read? Brace for impact—at least Teofimo Lopez should! ‘The Dragon’ of Calgary likes to get engrossed in ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu!

Steve Claggett might not be counted amongst the best super lightweights in the world; he might not have the kind of resume Lopez has, but he does have a wealth of experience fighting in the ring and the determination to prove himself. ‘The Takeover’ might not want to overlook this Calgarian because ‘The Dragon’ is awake and carnage is afoot. What do you think of Claggett’s nickname?