Since the start of his career, Kim Clavel dreamed of a world championship fight. It was to take place on December 17 at the Bell Center. However, a lower body injury thwarted his plans.
• Read also: “Solid” fight on the airwaves of TVA Sports
• Read also: Marie-Ève Dicaire in reconquest mode
Clavel (14-0-0, 2 KOs) informed her promoter Yvon Michel on Monday that she was struggling with an injury that prevented her from training to its maximum.
Two days later, the boxer met doctor Francis Fontaine in order to have a more precise diagnosis. Her doubts are confirmed: she is forced to a three-week period of rest and treatment.
“My heart is broken,” Clavel said at a GYM press briefing on Friday. I am now in the resilience phase. I have no choice but to think of myself and heal.
“I have too many ethics and professionalism to take part in an unprepared fight. I missed several training sessions because of this injury. She forced us to start our camp a week later than planned. “
While this opens the door to speculation, Clavel was unwilling to disclose the exact nature of his injury. All we know is that an operation is not in the plans. On the other hand, for it to cancel a confrontation, one can think that it is quite serious.
The right decision
The 31-year-old athlete tried to hide the pain from his coaches Danielle Bouchard and Stéphan Larouche. However, she could not outsmart these two people who have been around her for ten years.
“Since I worked with Kim, both amateurs and professionals, we have never canceled or postponed a fight, said Bouchard. Making this decision was difficult, but it was the right thing to do with all aspects in mind. “
As the camp advanced, Clavel was more and more mortgaged. Not the best way to prepare for the most important fight of his career.
“Each time, we had to readjust our training plan,” confirmed Bouchard. We had to postpone sessions. We were in a complicated process.
“It ends up playing in the mind of an athlete. It does not work. It was impossible to put Kim in a world championship fight [poids mi-mouches] when she was not at 100%. “
This injury could cause headaches for promoter Yvon Michel. But he saw others during his long career.
“I have already spoken to the WBC which is ready to sanction the fight at a later date,” said the Quebec businessman. I have already started discussions with the champion’s promoter, Pepe Gomez.
“For the moment, we do not have a specific date to give. According to the Dr Fontaine, Kim might be able to fight in February. Before making plans, we’ll wait until Kim is well. “
Another rival?
The one who was to face the Montrealer, the champion Yesenia Gomez (19-5-3, 6 KOs), may turn to another opponent in the coming weeks.
“We should be able to continue with the same contract,” added Michel. I think it’s going to be played around Gomez’s training costs. She has spent money to go to train in Mexico City and we are looking to compensate her even if that is not part of our agreement.
“However, we cannot guarantee that Gomez will wait until Kim is well. If she goes in another direction, we’ll find another plan for Kim. “