Results from Montreal Where Kim Clavel Won a World Title in a Second Weight Class

In front of a hometown crowd, Canada’s Kim Clavel out-dueled Argentina’s Sol Cudos to win the IBF minimumweight world title and become a world champion in a second weight class on Saturday.

“I’m very happy. I’m world champion in two weight classes,” said Clavel.

Clavel (22-2, 3 KOs) dropped down a weight division to meet Cudos (10-1-2, 3 KOs) at the Theater St. Denis in Montreal. It was the tiny Argentine’s first loss as a pro.

It was also Clavel’s second confrontation with Argentine opposition. Her last loss came against current unified light flyweight titlist Evelin Bermudez who beat her by split decision two years ago in Canada. She had also lost the WBC light flyweight title to Mexico’s Yesica Nery Plata.

World title combat experience was in Clavel’s favor. Cudos was making her first title defense after obtaining it by decision five months ago.

Though Clavel is short, Cudos is one inch shorter. Both fought in the middle of the ring and exchanged combinations freely.

Clavel was able to land the cleaner shots early and was connecting with the jabs and double jabs.

Soon, Cudos was able to time Clavel’s charges and used uppercuts at opportune moments that changed the momentum. Early on, Clavel suffered a cut near the right eye but it did not seem to affect her vision.

Argentina’s Cudos arrived a virtual unknown, but immediately showed poise and a tight defensive guard. Despite a hostile crowd, Cudos showed cool confidence in facing the former world champion in her hometown.

Every time Clavel unleashed flashy speed combinations, Cudos would retaliate with her own counter shots. It seemed neither could gain a serious edge. But Clavel was determined to become a second division world champion and was in attack mode almost every round.

After 10 back and forth rounds, all three judges favored Clavel 99-91 twice and 98-92 who becomes the new IBF minimumweight world titlist.

Clavel was exuberant with the win and invited a future confrontation with Yokasta Valle who was in the crowd.

Other Bouts

Middleweight Tamm Thibeault (4-0, 3 KOs) blazed past Italy’s Cristina Mazzotta (1-1) with a lightning fast first round demolition. As soon as the opening bell rang Thibeault, a tall southpaw, stepped right up to the almost equally tall Mazzotta and ripped one-two’s repeatedly through the Italian fighter’s guard. A third series of one-twos connected with the left cross crumbling Mazzotta at 59 seconds of the first round for a knockout win.

A battle between undefeated welterweights saw hometown fighter Mazlum Akdeniz (22-0, 9 KOs) win by stoppage in the fourth round against Colorado’s Anthony Soto (13-1-1, 9 KOs). From the opening bell, the southpaw slugger Akdeniz pressured the taller Soto and banged him out with pressure and more pressure. The end came at 2:26 of the fourth round.

Italy’s Frederica Macri (7-0-1) battered her way to a win over Costa Rica’s Naomy Valle (14-1) by decision after six rounds in a light flyweight fight.

Javon Walton (3-0-1) out-boxed Anthony Mora (6-5-1) to win by unanimous decision after six rounds in a lightweight match. Walton showed good movement and was able to fire combinations to score points with the judges.

Bantamweight Amanda Galle (12-0-1) defeated Alondra Hernandez (9-2) by decision after eight rounds.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE