Kim Clavel Earns Her Ticket to a World Championship Fight

By William Dumoulin

Photo credit: GYM / Bernard Brault

This Thursday, live from the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, former world champion Kim Clavel (21-2, 3 KOs) headlined the first of two consecutive events presented by Groupe Yvon Michel. The Quebec native had the opportunity to fight for two minor belts—the IBF Inter-Continental and WBC International titles—against experienced Mexican fighter Anabel Ortiz (34-8, 4 KOs). A victory would secure her another shot at a world championship, this time in the strawweight division.

Kim Clavel Turns the Tide and Claims Victory

In her first fight at strawweight, Kim Clavel faced a tough challenge against Anabel Ortiz. The Mexican started strong, setting a high pace with a high volume of punches. After several close rounds, some in Ortiz’s favor, Clavel gradually turned the fight around from the seventh round onward. Her technical edge and speed made all the difference, while her opponent appeared to tire in the later rounds. This allowed Clavel to secure a unanimous decision victory (96-94, 98-92 x2).

For promoter Yvon Michel, a world championship fight is now within reach for Clavel:
"Kim proved, by overcoming a top contender, that she has all the tools to become world champion again, and we will give her that opportunity very soon."

On April 5 in Argentina, Maria Sol Baumstarh (12-6-1, 8 KOs) and Sol Cudos (9-0-2, 3 KOs) will face off for the vacant IBF strawweight title. Thanks to her victory, Clavel becomes the mandatory challenger for the winner of this bout, giving her a new chance to reclaim a world title in the near future.

2-for-2 for Rising Star Omar Zaatiti Alieh

In the co-main event of the evening, young prospect Omar Zaatiti Alieh (2-0, 2 KOs) stepped into the ring for his second professional fight against Karoly Botos (2-3, 2 KOs). The fight didn’t last long—early in the first round, Zaatiti sent his opponent to the canvas. Botos chose not to continue, handing Alieh a TKO victory.

Theo Owusu Wins His First 8-Round Fight

For his first eight-round bout, super-lightweight Theo Owusu (7-0-1, 5 KOs) faced Argentine fighter Joel Ivan Manriquez (6-7, 0 KOs), who had previously fought John Orobio. After dominating the first round, the Quebecer ended the fight in the second round with a devastating liver shot.

The Unstoppable Ayoub Maanni

Opening the event, Quebec fighter of Moroccan descent Ayoub Maanni (3-0, 3 KOs) competed in his last four-round fight against Argentina’s Maximiliano Ezequiel Ledesma (2-2, 2 KOs). Maanni wasted no time, knocking his opponent down early in the first round with a powerful left straight. After a second knockdown, he sealed the win with another brutal punch, leaving his rival unable to get up for several minutes.