Could Canada have a new boxing world champion in April? The unbeaten Kim Clavel challenges Yesenia Gomez for the WBC Female World light flyweight title at the Montreal Casino on April 21.
Clavel is unbeaten in her 15 professional fights, and you can bet she’ll do everything possible to become a world champion. It’s not going to be an easy task though against a champion who has held the title since 2018. It’s a fight where some live betting will be possible making it even more exciting.
It was the year before that Clavel turned professional and the past five years has seen her defeat all her opponents. Clavel beat Yosel Martinez Jose on her debut in December 2017. While Gomez was busy winning the world title in 2018, Clavel was pleasing all those who bet on her to win her fights.
Those backing her to win on points did well with three out of four bouts finishing that way. The other saw her dispose of Ana Karen Compean in just 43 seconds of the first round.
2019 saw her move up in class and to fights fought over eight rounds. There was a series of points victories, but the scorecards were never close with no one able to defy the odds and end the unbeaten record of Clavel.
Her first title came in December 2019 when beating Esmeralda Gaona Sagahorn to win the vacant NABF Female light flyweight title. The odds were high for her opponent to win the belt. Rightly so as Clavel dominated the fight winning on points. All three of the judges declared that the Canadian had won every single one of the 10 rounds.
Clavel had just two fights in 2020 including ending the unbeaten record of Natalie Gonzalez. 2021 saw her win the vacant WBC Silver flyweight title with a win over Marie Soledad Vargas.
The champion has made one successful defence of her Silver title, beating Mariela Ribera Valverde in four rounds. That fight was held at the Montreal Casino on March 11 of this year. Now she returns to the casino as number one contender, not to place some bets but to gamble on keeping her unbeaten record and winning the world title.
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The defending champion made her pro debut in 2011, six years before Clavel. You perhaps wouldn’t have bet on Gomez having such a successful career if watching that debut. The Mexican lost in four rounds to Dorely Valente who was also making her professional debut.
Gomez got off the mark in her second fight but then took on Arely Valente, the twin sister of Dorely. It’s unlikely that Gomez sends the Valente family any greeting cards. Areley did just what her sister did and upset the odds to give Gomez her second defeat in three professional contests.
Gomez found her feet and began to climb the rankings with three straight wins. That led to her first title shot and the chance to get revenge on Arely Velante. Gomez won their rematch on points to win the WBC Youth Female flyweight title. However, two fights later, Gomez fought her again and lost her title on points.
Her up and down career continued with a loss to Susana Cruz Perez as she tried to win the WBC Youth Female Minimum title. With four losses in ten fights, you still wouldn’t have bet on her being a future world champion at senior level.
Gomez went on to win her next seven fights and win the WBC Female Youth light flyweight title. The rollercoaster ride continued with a run of five fights without a win. That included a no-contest, two draws with Jacky Calvo and a loss to Mara Guadalupe Bautista.
Somehow, Gomez received a shot against Esmeralda Moreno for the WBC World Female light flyweight title in May 2018. That also ended in a draw and betting on that result for Gomez was proving to be very profitable.
The run of draws ended in the rematch with Moreno and in September 2018, Gomez finally won the WBC title over 10 rounds. Five successful defences have been made since then with all the fights being held in Cancun, Mexico and all won on points decisions. Now the 35-year-old Gomez heads to Montreal but the odds may well be in favour of her unbeaten challenger.