LAVAL | Kim Clavel (17-2-0) is convinced she is the world champion, but the judges had a completely different interpretation of her fight with Evelin Bermudez (19-1-1, 6 KOs), who “won in a split decision from the world champion “. Judge.
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Promoter Yvon Michel had a strong showing against judge Benoit Roussel of Gatineau, who awarded a score of 96-94 in favor of Bermudez, as did Frank Lombardi of Chicago. Bill Lerch of Connecticut gave a 98-92 card in Clavel’s favor.
Photo Bernard Brault, GYM
“All over the world, the sports commission introduces us to the judges when we are preparing for a world championship fight. We don’t choose them, but if we have concerns, we say so. It happened before in Quebec.
“When the director introduced the jury, we just said that we didn’t want Benoit Roussel because we had statistics about him, but they took him anyway.”
“When you say that any of us have Kim’s fate in our hands, we are not asking them to favor her, but rather to be fair. “There is no one in all the people around us who has seen Bermudez win,” complained Clavel coach Danielle Bouchard.
Clavel used a shocking formula to explain her feelings: “I already had a boyfriend who cheated on me and it hurt less than it does now.”
Photo Bernard Brault, GYM
Double champion
Argentinian Evelin Bermudez thus retains her two world titles as IBF and WBO light flyweight champion. However, Clavel seemed to sit well in the saddle and put up an almost flawless fight.
“In the corner, when I finished the tenth lap, I felt like I had it done. I had no injuries, I was in control the whole time. She finished the rounds strong at times, but you don’t win in ten seconds,” said Kim Clavel a few minutes after the fight.
“It’s definitely not over yet. I am world class, I am world champion. I’m able to unify the titles, I haven’t reached a plateau. “I’m not taking anything away from Bermudez, but I have more tools and I’m more strategic than her.”
Photo Bernard Brault, GYM
Second defeat
We wonder what else Clavel could have done to defeat Bermudez.
“I’m angry and disappointed, but I’m so proud of my performance,” said the boxer.
It was my 19th fight and I think it was my most strategic.
This is the second loss in a world title fight this season for Clavel, who also lost a decision to Yesica Nery Plata last January in a clash that saw the WBA and WBC world titles on the line.
Clavel also believes that this defeat set him back in his progress.
“I might have had a rematch with Plata and a chance to unify the four belts, but all of that is delayed because of this decision.”
Photo Bernard Brault, GYM
Responsible
However, Clavel handled his fight well, opting for short but precise attacks.
Clavel caused a lot of problems for his opponent with his precise attacks, while Argentina often hit Clavel’s gloves.
And since Bermudez fought like a boxer who seemed to think she needed a knockout in the 10th round, we thought Clavel had it done.
“Kim boxed defensively responsibly,” emphasized Yvon Michel. She touched more often, she controlled the action. On the other hand, they were discouraged after the battle.
“Kim was smart and brilliant. It’s her best career performance and for me she’s the best boxer in the division, she’s just not a champion.”