Even though Kim Clavel already has a world title fight on the agenda in May, she had no intention of sitting idly by waiting for this particularly meaningful moment.
Before facing WBC light-flyweight champion Yesenia Gomez, the Quebecer will face Bolivian Mariela Ribera Valverde on March 11 in the final of a Group Yvon Michel (GYM) gala which will be organized – in front of spectators – at the Montreal Casino Cabaret.
“It was important to stay active so as not to arrive in May having been ten months without a boxer, explained Clavel (14-0, 2 KOs) during a videoconference held on Wednesday. It’s very important to see how the body will react, if there is no injury… to know if everything is fine. »
Clavel was supposed to cross swords with Gomez (19-5-3, 6 KOs) on December 17, but she had to withdraw due to a lower body injury. Their duel was then postponed to March 11, but the Mexican however asked for more time to perfect her preparation.
At first glance, Valverde (11-6, 8 KOs) does not really seem to have what it takes to compete with Clavel, but the latter reminds us that she nevertheless has a lot to lose.
“I will prepare myself as if it were [Valverde] the world champion, warned Clavel. I just want to show that she has no place in the same ring as me. »
“Kim will have no choice but to raise her level, because she will have in front of her a girl who hits and who is explosive,” added Stéphan Larouche, one of the members of her coaching staff. Everyone knows it, the strike force is very often a wonderful shortcut to victory. »
A new adventure for Germain
The March 11 event will also mark Mathieu Germain’s official debut with GYM, after several years with Eye of the Tiger Management. The former world welterweight contender, who now trains with Larouche, will face Mario Perez.
“I am happy to have signed [un contrat] with GYM. I see this as the start of a new adventure, mentioned Germain (19-2-1, 8 KOs). I don’t start with an easy fight, since we saw what Perez was capable of against Sébastien Bouchard. »
“I would never have thought of becoming his coach, but I was impressed by his determination, his motivation and his discipline, praised Larouche. Mathieu has great speed and is very smart in the ring. He just has to sit a little more on his shots. »
Germain will be looking for a second straight victory, having defeated Steve Claggett by split decision of the judges in his last outing in May in Quebec. In his previous fight, he was stopped in the seventh round by Yves Ulysse junior in the first round of the “Carré d’As”.
