Kim Clavel vs Jessica Nery Plata, Under the Radar Fighters and More News
By David A. Avila
Exposure remains key for any prizefighter whether it’s woman or man in the world of professional boxing. Even world champions lack visibility.
Canada’s Kim Clavel may be known in her home country but worldwide, she still lacks exposure. Though her bouts are televised nationally the total population of Canada hovers around 38 million.
California’s population alone tops that at 39 million.
Clavel (16-0) seeks to unify the WBC and WBA light flyweight titles when she meets Mexico’s rugged veteran Jessica Nery Plata (28-2) on Friday Jan. 13, at Laval, Canada. ESPN+ is set to stream the unification clash.
Originally, they were scheduled to fight a month ago but for medical reasons Clavel was forced to postpone the title match. Now both are ready and primed for each other. Fighting at home is a major advantage for Clavel whose hit and move style will be tested against the pressure style of Nery Plata.
It’s not Clavel’s first time facing Mexican style fighters. She recently defeated Yesenia Gomez for the WBC title along with Maria Vargas and Esmeralda Gaona in earlier meetings.
If successful, there is mention of her facing Mexican-American star Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada later in the year. It’s a pivotal moment for both Clavel and Nery Plata. A win by either thrusts them into the upper tier of the prizefighting world.
Too Good to be Ignored
There are a number of other world class fighters lacking recognition and exposure. One former multi-division world champion recently moved from her native Argentina to Los Angeles, California. Meet “La Tuti” Bopp.
Yesica Bopp (37-3, 15 Kos) – Argentina’s Bopp, 38, has been fighting professionally since 2008 and has captured multiple titles at light flyweight and flyweight. A very quick-handed and fleet-footed fighter, she has fought multiple times outside of Argentina and seeks a match against who else? Seniesa Estrada. Bopp is now in Los Angeles.
Daniela Bermudez (29-4-3, 10 Kos) – Argentina’s Bermudez, 33, took two years off to give birth. The three-division world titlist tried for a fourth but was stopped by Amanda Serrano. That was her last action in the ring two years ago. Bermudez is back at featherweight and she is a good one to watch.
Layla McCarter (45-13-5, 11 Kos) – America’s McCarter, 43, has not lost a fight since 2007 and maybe that’s a stumbling block. Too much risk and no reward for fighting someone as skilled as McCarter. She fights anywhere from 135 to 154 and is based in Las Vegas. Is it too late for the Amazing Layla? Is she still the best fighter you don’t know?
Kenia Enriquez (25-1, 11 Kos) – Mexico’s Enriquez, 29, has been the most avoided Mexican fighter probably in the history of the sport. Even Mexican champions declined to meet Tijuana’s Enriquez. She was ranked number one by the WBC for five years and was never allowed to fight Yesenia Gomez. The lanky pressure fighter Enriquez is now fighting at flyweight. Look out.
Naoko Fujioka (19-3-1, 7 Kos) – Japan’s greatest female fighter recently fought Marlen Esparza and showed how she won five division world titles. Only Amanda Serrano has won more division world titles. Fujioka is ranked number one in the flyweight division by one major sanctioning organization. She can still bring it.
Tsunami Tenkai (29-13-1, 17 Kos) – Japan’s Tenkai, 37, recently won a regional title by riveting knockout last month in Japan. She gave Seniesa Estrada her toughest test in the summer of 2021 in Los Angeles. Though she lost the light flyweight title, that night, she showed American audiences her relentless style. Tenkai is very good.
Estelle Mossely (10-0, 1 KO) – France’s Mossely, 30, holds the IBO lightweight title while Katie Taylor has all of the rest. Mossely is the Rio Olympic gold medalist winner but still has an amateur boxing style. It’s holding her back but she still has athleticism in abundance. Will this be her year to break out?
Adelaida Ruiz (12-0-1, 6 Kos) – America’s Ruiz, 34, has been battering her way to the top of the rankings with her relentless Mexican style attacks. Now ranked in the top of the super flyweight chain, will this year be her year to claim a world title? Based in Los Angeles “La Cobra” has a big fan following.
Yulihan Luna Avila (24-3-1, 4 Kos) – Mexico’s Luna, 28, has the WBC bantamweight title but has almost no recognition outside of her country. She has talent and is tall for her weight class. Luna defeated the legendary Mariana “Barby” Juarez to capture the title in 2020. A possible bantamweight champion tournament is being discussed. Will Luna be included?
More Fight News
Argentina
Aldana Lopez (7-0) defeated Carolina Ferrari (3-2-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Jan. 7. The light flyweight title bout was held at Paso Del Rey. Also, flyweight Sol Cudos (5-0-1) beat Micaela Cuello (0-3-2); and super lightweight Lourdes Grand (1-0-1) beat Aldana Pons (2-2-1) by split decision.
On Friday Jan. 13, super featherweights Daniela Bermudez (29-4-3) and Lillian Silva (4-15-1) meet eight rounds at Rosario.
On Saturday Jan. 14, lightweights Yamila Belen (15-5-1) and Lorena Agoutborde (3-3-4) meet 10 rounds for the Argentine title at Avellaneda.
Canada
On Friday Jan. 13, light flyweights Kim Clavel (16-0) and Jessica Nery Plata (28-2) meet 10 rounds for the WBA and WBC world titles at Laval. Also, welterweights Marie Pier Houle (7-0-1) and Marisol Moreno (6-3) meet eight rounds; and featherweights Caroline Veyre (1-0) and Estefania Gonzalez (4-5) meet six rounds.
Serbia
Jelena Janicijevic (5-1-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Sarah Weidmann (3-1) on Thursday Jan. 5. The super lightweight fight took place at Zlatibor.
Slovakia
On Saturday Jan. 14, heavyweights Jessica Triebelova (1-0) and Nana Chakhvashvili (7-20) meet four rounds at Kosice.
Uganda
On Saturday Jan. 14, super flyweights Mercy Acayo (3-4) and Sandra Attermo (1-0) meet 10 rounds at Kampala for a regional title.
USA
Mia Ellis (6-1) knocked out Karen Dulin (5-26-1) in the first round on Saturday Jan. 7. The lightweight fight took place in Washington D.C.
On Thursday Jan. 12, super bantamweights Danielle Bennett (5-1) and Carmen Vargas (3-0-1) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Pasadena, Texas.