Clavel vs. Cudos: MVP Comes to Montreal

INSIDE THE MATCHMAKER’S EYE

By Vincent Morin

Quebec’s own Kim Clavel (21-2-0, 3 KOs) is on a mission. After catching the attention of YouTuber-turned-promoter-and-boxer Jake Paul, she now has the chance to fight for a world title on home soil in Montreal — her very first outing under the MVP banner.

Clavel vs. Cudos

In the opposite corner, Argentina’s Sol Cudos (10-0-2, 3 KOs) will look to defend her IBF minimumweight (105 lbs) crown. It will be her first title defense, having claimed the belt last March in Buenos Aires with a victory over fellow Argentine Maria Sol Baumstarh.

For Clavel, this will be only her second fight at 105 lbs. She debuted in the division last February, earning a unanimous decision against Mexico’s Anabel Ortiz.

Clavel is expected to be the stronger and more powerful of the two. Cudos, known for her agility, movement, and counterpunching, has been knocked down twice in her career and has never fought outside Argentina.

Prediction: Kim Clavel will capture the IBF world title at 105 lbs by unanimous decision.

Thibeault Returns to Quebec

After competing in Orlando, Toronto, and New York, two-time Olympian and amateur world champion Tammara Thibeault (3-0-0, 2 KOs) will finally get the chance to showcase her skills in front of a Quebec crowd this Saturday.

She’ll be facing Italy’s Cristina Mazzotta (1-0-0, 0 KOs), a former member of the Italian national amateur boxing team.

Riding high in the rankings after her last victory, the southpaw from Quebec enters the bout as a heavy favorite.

This will also mark Thibeault’s first professional fight with two-minute rounds, as three-minute rounds are not permitted for women’s professional boxing under RACJ regulations.

Another Canadian fighter, Amanda Galle (11-0-1, 1 KO), will lace up the gloves on a night that will feature no fewer than four women’s bouts. She takes on Mexico’s Alondra Yamile Hernandez Mendoza (9-1-0, 1 KO) in an eight-round clash at bantamweight (118 lbs).

Akdeniz and Lahaie Also in Action

Two more Quebec warriors will step into the ring on this card.

In the evening’s co-main event, Mazlum Akdeniz (21-0-0, 8 KOs) looks to preserve his perfect record against fellow unbeaten contender Anthony Soto (13-0-1, 8 KOs) of the United States, in a 10-round welterweight (147 lbs) showdown.

Akdeniz’s superior experience should, in theory, allow him to gradually wear down his opponent.

Sherbrooke’s Loick Lahaie (2-0-0, 0 KOs) will face Mexico’s Jose Adolfo Madrigal Rodriguez (7-7-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round contest at 157 lbs. Originally scheduled to face German prospect Rufus-Venice Camara-Macauley, Lahaie’s matchup was adjusted after Camara-Macauley was unable to enter the country.