To say that this fight is expected would be an understatement.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
Kim Clavel became a mandatory contender for the world light flyweight title in August 2021, following her win over Maria Soledad Vargas at IGA Stadium.
She was scheduled to face Yesenia Gómez, who has held that WBC title since 2018, last December. Three postponements later, and here we are in July 2022. The belt is still at stake.
Is there a risk that an overflow of anticipation, combined with this long wait, will thwart the plans of the clan of the Quebec boxer?
“I would say that one of Kim’s strengths is perhaps this: delivering the goods, explains his trainer Stéphan Larouche. This energy, it can crush some boxers. »
Met at the Center Claude-Robillard 10 days before the confrontation, Larouche then gives the example of the last time when all the spotlights were on Kim Clavel.
“We went to Las Vegas in July 2020. She was the only boxer in all of Canada who was fighting. RDS was live, ESPN too. She won eight rounds against an undefeated girl. An almost perfect fight. »
She has this ability to perform under pressure.
Stephan Larouche
The main interested party will actually only have one thought in mind on July 29.
“It’s one thing to climb the mountain, illustrates Clavel. But [c’en est une autre] to stay up there are a lot of people who want to push you down. I thrive on these challenges. »
And it’s not trivial: the numerous postponements have meant that in July 2022, this fight can take place not only in front of supporters at the Casino de Montréal, but sold out.
“There is nothing that happens for nothing in life, rejoices the pugilist. The energy is better. Everyone is in a good mood. We don’t have a mask anymore. It’s the fun. The closeness of people has arrived, it is there. I think it’s going to be quite a boxing gala. »
She happily notes that there will be three girl fights that night. Caroline Veyre will be in her first professional fight as a curtain raiser. Marie-Pier Houle (6-0-1, 2 KOs) will face Mexican Halanna dos Santos (14-9-0, 9 KOs).
Names which are added to those of Movladdin Biyarslanov (10-0-0, 8 K.-O.) and Eric Basran (2-0-0, 1 K.-O.), in particular.
Yesenia, what do we think?
Larouche warns that Gómez (19-5-3, 6 KOs) “is really better than his record indicates”.
“She’s a good boxer,” he said. She understands boxing well. She manages distance well, her arms are long, she doesn’t waste her punches. She comes with a lot more experience than Kim. »
PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF YESENIA GÓMEZ
Yesenia Gomez
Danielle Bouchard claims to have “analyzed a lot” and “observed” the Mexican boxer.
“We also saw it in real life when we went to Cancún” in October, adds the coach. “It was very telling for us, even more than on video. »
After more than six months of preparation, does Gómez still have secrets for the Clavel clan?
In boxing, there are always secrets. There are always small hidden cards. We keep ours hidden, she has to keep some too.
Kim Clavel
Larouche explains that Clavel will want to divide his fight “by sequences”.
“The reality is that the rounds last 2 minutes. Knockouts are hard to come by. The girl who is very shaken, after two minutes, she has a minute of rest, then she starts again. The 3e minute [chez les hommes] is very damaging in one round. »
“Kim is going to get in the ring with a punch, a second punch, a second combination, a first minute. She’s going to undo her fight like this. We will do resets, we will repeat. »
We have to admit that Larouche has faith in his boxer.
“We’re going to have a nice version of Kim,” he says. A confident, enthusiastic version. With bad intentions at times. »