Kim Clavel, Alycia Baumgardner, World Title Fights and More
By David A. Avila
A much-anticipated world title clash in Canada has been canceled due to the coronavirus but two others remain.
Sadly, Kim Clavel tested positive for Covid-19 and will not be able to challenge Mexico’s Yesenia Gomez for the WBC light flyweight world title on Thursday April 21 in Montreal. The promoter said a future date looks to be in early May.
We shall see.
Though one world title fight has dropped off the schedule two more remain.
A world title clash in Australia kicks off two world championship fights in 48 hours as Cherneka Johnson meets Mexico’s Melissa Esquivel for the vacant IBF super bantamweight world title on Wednesday April 20 in Melbourne.
Then its Europe’s turn as Sarah Mahfoud defends against Nina Meinke for the IBF featherweight world title on Thursday April 21, at Copenhagen, Denmark.
Not to disparage Australia’s Johnson, but she recently lost to Shannon O’Connell a year ago and has not fought since. She meets Mexico’s Esquivel who lost her last fight to WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz this past November.
Both fighters lost their last bouts that were world title fights but are now fighting for a vacant IBF belt. It doesn’t make sense.
We recently saw Australia’s Ebanie Bridges take the IBF bantamweight world title with an impressive performance last month in England. Now we have another Aussie Johnson vying for the super bantamweight title. Australia seems to have success developing bantamweights. Is Bridges versus O’Connell a possibility?
Featherweight title
In Denmark, the IBF featherweight title match features Denmark’s Sarah Mahfoud meeting Germany’s Nina Meinke in supposedly her first defense. Mahfoud was elevated from interim champion to full champion a year ago without an actual title fight.
Seems the IBF is desperate to give away their titles.
Not to berate the IBF, the WBC has not been exactly perfect either. They allowed Yesenia Gomez to avoid meeting number one contender Kenia Enriquez since 2018. Now, Enriquez has moved up a weight class to the flyweight division after Gomez was given permission to fight others. Clavel is the first real test for Gomez. Too bad it’s not happening this weekend.
Baumgardner
WBC super featherweight titlist Alycia Baumgardner finally was able to showcase her fighting skills to a worldwide audience. This time eyes were wide open as fans, skeptics and other fighters evaluated the American fighter’s technique, strength and speed with magnifying glass precision.
She’s the real goods.
When she first fought for the super featherweight world title many expected Terri Harper to defeat Baumgardner who had already suffered a loss years ago against former super lightweight champion Christina Linardatou.
Baumgardner, of course, knocked out Harper on her feet. Many believed it was a lucky punch and not skill.
This past Saturday Baumgardner, former wrestler, showed her balance along with her speed and defense to win every round against former world champion Edith Matthysse on all three judge’s score cards. Whatever Baumgardner attempted to do she accomplished except floor the Argentine fighter. One thing to note, Matthysse had never lost by knockout and proved very durable despite getting whacked a few times with flush uppercuts and overhand rights.
The only drawback in Baumgardner’s performance was her lack of a body attack. Still, the Detroit-based fighter exhibited to the British fan base that she looks as good inside the boxing ring as outside. Hopefully she can fight Hyun Mi Choi soon and then meet the other super featherweight unified champion Mikaela Mayer. That would be a momentous fight.
Countdown to NYC
Less than two weeks remain until undisputed lightweight world champion Katie Taylor meets seven-division world titlist Amanda Serrano on April 30, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ireland’s Taylor versus Puerto Rico’s Serrano is the biggest fight ever in women’s prizefighting.
2min Round: Hooks and Jabs Look at Female Boxing Podcast
The longest running women’s boxing talk show returns with Felipe Leon, Lupi Gutierrez and myself David A. Avila this Wednesday April 20 at 7:30 pm (Pacific Time). You can find the link on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and various other links.
There’s a lot to catch up in the female prizefighting world including results and upcoming title fights like the mega super fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in New York City. Catch us live at 7:30 p.m.
More Female Fight News
Argentina
Gisella Quintanilla (2-1-1) beat Roxana Bermudez (4-5-2) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday April 16. The flyweight bout was held at Santa Fe.
On Friday April 22, bantamweights Lucrecia Belen (4-1) and Carmen Bratschi (0-2) meet four rounds at Cordoba.
Australia
On Wednesday April 20, super bantamweights Cherneka Johnson (13-1) and Mexico’s Melissa Esquivel (12-2-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Melbourne. Also, featherweights Carly Salmon (1-0) and Krystina Jacobs (5-2) meet six rounds; plus super welterweights Kim Alina Ross (0-0) and Zoe Putorak (0-0) meet four rounds.
Canada
On Thursday April 21, light flyweights Yesenia Gomez (19-5-3) and Kim Clavel (15-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Montreal.
Denmark
On Thursday April 21, featherweights Sarah Mahfoud (10-0) and Nina Meinke (12-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Copenhagen.
France
Clothilde Del Ben (2-0) defeated Tekle Begiashvili (0-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 16. The super bantamweight fight took place at Haute-Marne.
On Saturday April 23, super bantamweights Elodie Bouchlaka (6-1-2) and Sara Marjanovic (8-9) meet 10 rounds for the French title at Toulouges.
On Saturday April 23, lightweights Sofia Nabet (2-0) and Eva Debacker (2-1) meet eight rounds at Calvados.
Germany
On Saturday April 23, lightweights Natalie Zimmermann (8-0) and Marina Sakharov (5-14-2) meet seven rounds at Hamburg.
Japan
Mizuki Hiruta (2-0) won by unanimous decision over Terumi Nuki (13-4) after six rounds on Tuesday April 12. The super flyweight bout took place in Tokyo.
Mexico
On Saturday April 23, bantamweights Danna Bolanos (7-0) and Estefania Reyes (1-3-1) meet six rounds at Sonora.
South Africa
On Thursday April 21, lightweights Raider Muleba (4-13-1) and Aratwa Kasemang (0-0) meet six rounds at Johannesburg.
Spain
On Friday April 22, light flyweights Isabel Rivera (0-0) and Ivette Garcia (0-1) meet four rounds at Castilla.
United Kingdom
Alycia Baumgardner (12-1) defeated Argentina’s Edith Matthysse (17-12-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 16. The IBO and WBC super featherweight world title match was held in Manchester, England.
Nina Hughes (2-0) knocked out Bec Connolly (3-13) in the second round on Friday April 15. The super bantamweight bout was held at London, England.
USA
On Thursday April 21, lightweights Erica Donnelly (0-1) and Maria Limon Garcia (0-1) meet four rounds at Dallas, Texas.
On Friday April 22, super lightweights Fernanda Araujo (0-1) and Liz Humphries (0-0-1) meet four rounds at Windham, New Hampshire.
On Friday April 22, light flyweights Katherine Lindenmuth (0-0) and Kara Liebowitz (0-0) meet four rounds at Albuquerque, New Mexico.
On Saturday April 23, middleweights Amy Lemenager (2-0) and Kaitlin Lavigne (1-1) meet four rounds at Shakopee, Minn.