The fight capped off ‘Championship Jackpot 2024,’ a sensational night of boxing at Mohegan Sun Arena that also included a hall-of-famer’s farewell, a title victory for one of Hartford’s native sons, and many of the best contenders, prospects, and amateurs across the East Coast and beyond.

Booker, who was fighting for the 2nd time at Mohegan Sun Arena this year, came into the bout riding a 5-fight winning streak.  After a feel out first round where each southpaw looked to establish their jabs, Booker wasted little time tracking Chaves down in round 2, hurting the Argentine with a left hand, right hook and uppercut sequence.  A follow up uppercut to the stomach dropped Chaves to his knees. The 32-year-old beat the count, but was greeted by a straight left hand to the head that dropped the South American for a second time in the stanza. 

Despite being outgunned, the gutsy Chaves looked to gain some respect in round 3, landing a left hand of his own.  The follow up attack allowed Booker to show off his defensive prowess, as the Stamford native avoided most of the incoming before landing thudding shots to Chaves’ midsection.  A left uppercut stumbled ‘El Elegante,’ but Chaves decided to return fire.  The decision prompted the inevitable ending, however, as a counter left hand dropped Chaves for the third time in the bout just as the round came to an end.

Referee Ricky Gonzalez took a long look at Chaves after round 3 and decided to waive off the bout, giving the 33-year-old Booker another win in his home state of Connecticut.

“I wanted to show that Chaves didn’t belong in the ring with me,” said Booker immediately after the fight. “I’m now officially a middleweight, and I’m ready for the top 10 in the division.”

At the top of Booker’s wish list is a rematch with the only man to beat him, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, a title shot against WBC champion Carlos Adames, who made his first title defense on Saturday, or a showdown with 2-time title challenger Steven Butler. 

Angel Gonzalez picks up his first pro title

In the night’s co-feature, Angel “Set It Off” Gonzalez (14-0, 7 KOs) picked up the NABF Flyweight title, defeating Josue “Zurdo” Morales (28-14-4, 10 KOs) in a competitive 10 round bout.  Scores were 98-92 and 97-93 (2x) for the Hartford native.

The bout commenced with Gonzalez working his one-two, while the southpaw Morales looked to counter with a right hook.  One such hook briefly stunned Gonzalez in round 1, but the 31-year-old kept his composure and returned to his jab before turning the tables in round 2 with a varied attack to Zurdo’s head and body.

Morales proved that records can be deceiving, as a closer look showed that ‘Zurdo’ was 17-1 with 9 knockouts in his last 18 fights.  The tough Texan made Gonzalez earn every round with his sharp counters. 

Gonzalez wouldn’t be denied on this night, however, as he consistently outfought and outmaneuvered his more experienced foe.  It was an inspired performance for a man who turned 31 on Saturday and was eager to dedicate his first pro title to his father on Father’s Day weekend.

“My father got me into this game when I was 13 and taught me to be the fighter you see today,” said Gonzalez about Angel Sr., a former pro boxer who shared the ring with the likes of former world champions Junior “Poison” Jones, Kevin Kelley and Frankie Toledo.  “Dad – this title is all yours.  Happy Father’s Day!”

Kandi Wyatt crushes Jaime Clampitt’s dream ending

In an emotional bout, Kandi “Krush” Wyatt (13-6, 4 KOs) spoiled Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt’s farewell fight, stopping the hall-of-famer in the last round of their 8-round lightweight contest. 

The bout started off well for Warwick’s Clampitt, who used her boxing skills and superior speed to land quick combinations on her aggressive foe. 

Wyatt, a natural welterweight who has shared the ring with former and current world champions Natasha Jonas, Jessica McCaskill, Christina Linardatou, and Kali Reis, appeared to be much bigger than Clampitt as she stalked ‘The Hurricane’ around the ring. 

The Calgary native finally trapped Clampitt in the neutral corner in round 2 and proceeded to land a series of shots with Jaime trying to fight her way out.  Clampitt was successful, but a follow up left hand stunned the 47-year-old, perforating her right eardrum and causing her to stumble to the ropes.  Referee Ricky Gonzalez ruled that the ropes were holding her up, calling the knockdown.

‘The Hurricane’ returned to boxing in round 3, landing quick combinations as Wyatt pressed forward.  Clampitt bravely held her ground, even cutting Wyatt around her left eye, but the bigger fighter stunned Jaime again in an exchange, causing Clampitt to hold and clear her head.

The fight took a similar pattern throughout the middle rounds, with the faster Clampitt sometimes landing 3 punches for every one that Wyatt scored.  The difference, however, was the damage that the heavier handed Wyatt inflicted whenever she landed clean.    

Ever the warrior, Clampitt willed her way back into the fight, refusing to go down despite being hurt on several occasions.  By the 8th and last round, Clampitt gave it everything she had in a desperate attempt to turn the tide, but a big left hook in an exchange again put her on shaky legs.  Clampitt fought back valiantly but was clearly in trouble, causing her husband and co-trainer to throw in the towel to prevent any further damage. 

Clampitt may not have gotten the story book ending that she dreamed of in her final fight, but she displayed the same heart, skills and determination in defeat that saw her win 4 world championships across 2 weight classes throughout her legendary career.

“I’m very proud of you,” said CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr., as he presented her with flowers in the ring after the bout.  “You are one of the best fighters I ever promoted, and you’re going into the CES Hall-of-Fame immediately after this fight.”

The gracious Clampitt congratulated her fellow Canadian after the bout and thanked everyone for their support throughout the years. 

“Kandi is from Calgary, Canada, where I lived and trained for many years,” said Clampitt, “so I feel like I’m passing the torch to her and I’m very proud of her.  I didn’t get the ‘W’ today, but I dedicate this fight to ‘On the Ropes’ and all my people.  I’ll be back to work at the gym on Tuesday.”   

An emotional Clampitt then turned to the promoter who made her dreams of becoming a world champion, a Hall of Famer and a TV fighter possible when few women were getting such opportunities in the early 2000s. 

“Thank you, Jimmy,” said an emotional Clampitt.  “We’ve had an unbelievable relationship over the past 21 years.  This wouldn’t be possible without you.  You made my dreams come true.” 

Clampitt ends her legendary career with a record of 25-7-2 with 7 knockouts, multiple world titles and many wonderful memories for a trailblazer who gave fans her heart and soul in each and every outing. 

Other results

Puerto Rican Super Lightweight Jeffrey “El Bendecido” Torres improved to 13-2 (7 KOs), stopping New Yorker Charles Garner (6-3, 5 KOs) in round 4 of their 8-round contest.  Torres broke open a competitive bout with a counter left hook that dropped Garner in round 4.  Garner beat the count, but Torres went on the offensive, nailing Garner with vicious lefts and rights, the final one putting Garner down again, causing referee Ricky Gonzalez to stop the fight at 2:59 of the round.

Irish prospect Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (9-0, 6 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact, dropping Noah Kidd (8-10-2, 5 KOs) twice in round 4 with body shots, the second one forcing referee Ricky Gonzalez to halt the bout at 3 minutes of the round.

Someone’s ‘O’ had to go in a battle of undefeated welterweight prospects, as Waterbury, CT’s Mike “The Savage” Kimbel (6-0, 4 KOs) outlasted Springfield, MA’s Ian Garcia (3-1-2, 2 KOs) by scores of 59-55 (3x).

Blue chip prospect Iman Lee improved to 11-0 (7 KOs), stopping St. Louis’ Anthony Elliotti (4-2, 4 KOs) in round 5 of their Featherweight contest. New York’s Lee dropped Elliotti with body shots in rounds 1 & 4 and was sharper throughout their bout.  Time of the stoppage was 0:32 of round 5.

Polish prospect Slawomir Bohdziewicz (4-0, 3 KOs) pounded out a shutout unanimous decision over Revere, MA’s Leonardo Ladeira (4-10, 4 KOs) in a four round cruiserweight contest.  Scores were 40-36 (3x) for the Stamford resident.

New York’s Carlos “All In” Vanegas Nunez improved to 8-1 (7 KOs), knocking out Taran Ward (2-9, 1 KO) in the 3rd round of their bantamweight clash.  Time of the stoppage was 1:02 of the round.

Last minute replacement Victor Hugo Costa (1-2, 1 KO) made the most of his opportunity, knocking out Chad Leoncello (1-2-1, 1 KO) to notch his first career win and knockout at 0:23 of round 2 of their heavyweight slugfest.

In the opening bout of the evening, Joseph Chisholm (1-0) made his pro debut a successful one, annihilating Connor Clark (0-1) in a bantamweight bout. 
 

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.INFORMATIONCES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENAMohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.