Kim Clavel passed a test that could move her into a title fight later this year.
Clavel won a 10-round unanimous decision over Anabel Ortiz at Montreal Casino in Montreal on Thursday, with scores of 96-94, 98-92 and 98-92 all going in her favor.
Clavel, a 34-year-old from Montreal and a former WBC junior flyweight titleholder, didn’t have it easy. Ortiz’s volume was the story of the fight early on. Ortiz used a good jab and her 2in reach advantage to keep Clavel frustrated. Clavel stalked forward unsuccessfully,
Getting by the straight punches of Ortiz. Clavel landed some flashy, eye catching punches at the end of the first two rounds, but she could not consistently close the distance.
Clavel continued pressing forward, and in the fifth round she landed an effective right hand the most impressive punch of the fight. Ortiz’s adjustment was to hold and move, but the momentum was discernibly shifting. During the next round, the aggression of Clavel continued as Ortiz, the 38-year-old from Mexico City, appeared to tire and was no longer moving around the ring.
Both fighters were cut after an accidental headbutt in the seventh round. With 10 seconds left in the frame, Clavel landed an overhand right that buckled Ortiz and nearly resulted in a knockdown. Clavel aimed to come forward, but Ortiz boxed from the outside, landing clean and effective punches. A right hand from Ortiz landed on Clavel to punctuate the round, but it was Clavel’s best of the fight, her hand speed on full display.
Knowing the fight could be close, Clavel pressed forward, forcing the action in the final round and drawing loud cheers from her hometown crowd. At the final bell, both fighters raised their gloves high – but it was Clavel’s night.
Clavel, 21-2 (3 KOs), earned smaller WBC and IBF titles in this fight. Coincidentally, those two belt holders Tina Rupprecht (WBO) and Sumire Yamanaka (IBF) will face each other on April 5 in Germany.
About The Author
