After a courageous battle, Quebec boxer Kim Clavel lost the unification fight against Mexican champion Yesica Nery Plata on Friday night at Place Bell.
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Clavel (16-1, 3 K.-O.) is dethroned from her WBC world title, Nery Plata (29-2, 3 K.-O.) becoming unified champion, she who was already holder of the WBA belt.
The Mexican seduced the judges, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94. The Quebecer cannot, however, be accused of not having been to the war. She also continued to darken, in the last three rounds, despite a sometimes bloody nose.
After the verdict was announced, Clavel was obviously long-faced, but seemed to agree with the judges’ choice.
“I gave everything, I come out of this fight with my head held high, noted Clavel, in tears. I suffered my first defeat, it’s difficult, but I’m proud of myself. I boxed with my heart. »
This defeat is expensive, but it is however perhaps not so dramatic for Clavel, the Quebecer having offered quite a spectacle, despite the setback. His name will remain high in the rankings. She also made a good impression on the ESPN+ platform.
Yvon Michel played big
It goes without saying that Clavel was playing big, as was promoter Yvon Michel that night. By suffering a first career defeat, the Quebecer will necessarily have to take a detour in her career. The GYM group finds itself without a champion in its stable.
“I do not lose my confidence in Kim Clavel at all,” said promoter Yvon Michel.
Clavel-Gomez, take 2?
Even before Friday evening, it was necessary to plan, as in chess, two or three moves in advance. This is how dates have already been reserved, first in April, then in September, for Clavel’s next two fights, still at Place Bell.
The potential opponents seemed numerous, even if, above all, it should be remembered that a rematch clause was planned for Yesenia Gomez when she lost her WBC title on July 29, 2022, against Clavel. But now, what will happen?
The ultimate dream…
Since the world of boxing always has its share of surprises, the name of Maria Guadalupe Bautista, mandatory challenger of the WBA, also surfaces. However, it is first Nery Plata who risks having to face him.
Meanwhile, there’s also Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez who, barring a change of heart, is set to face Mexican Tania Enriquez in March for the vacant IBF and WBO titles. The month of April will come a little quickly, but we already imagined a fight for four belts in September… Despite the detour, certain scenarios, with a few titles less, could soon take shape.
Ultimately, we know that Clavel dreams of obtaining the four titles in her category to one day face the great strawweight champion, the American Seniesa Estrada. Due to the defeat, it will be necessary to rebuild the scenario. One step at a time, starting with a comeback fight.
What if Clavel and Nery Plata clash again? Boxing fans couldn’t ask for more.
“We would be interested in giving Kim a rematch, but it would be at home, in Mexico,” commented Nery Plata, however, in a post-fight press conference.
Among the spectators present in Laval, a few sports figures were seen, including former boxer Lucian Bute, who has lost none of his popularity with fans. Anthony Calvillo and Danny Maciocia, of the Alouettes, were there, as was… comedian Jean-Thomas Jobin, a hockey player in his spare time. Finally, a few players from the Montreal Twins, from the Senior A.