Kim Clavel Claims She Was ‘Robbed’ After Losing Her Unification Bout Against Evelin Bermudez

Evelin Bermudez won a split decision over Kim Clavel to retain her IBF and WBO junior flyweight titles in a controversial bout.

It was the first defense of Bermudez’s unified titles after having beaten Tania Enriquez to secure them. As for Clavel, it was her second title shot following her win over Naomi Arellano to set up the clash. The fight, though, turned to be quite contentious. The scorecards of 98-92, 96-94, and 96-94 came under scrutiny, with question marks over whether Bermudez had done enough to keep her status as a unified champion.

In the opening round, Ramirez was on the front foot as she pressed the action with her right hand to send Clavel backwards. The challenger used her jab to find her range, but Bermudez landed the cleaner shots, while Clavel did counter with her left hook to put the champion on notice.

Clavel grew in confidence during the second round as she parried the champion’s jab before landing a big overhand right. However, towards the end of the second, both fighters exchanged at the bell with Clavel feeling the more confident in a close round. The challenger landed another left hook as she targeted the champion’s body, while closing the distance in the third. The overhand right landed once more, as Clavel appeared to shade the early stages.

In the second half of the fight, Bermudez stalked her opponent down only to get tagged while she was coming in. Clavel continued to bounce on the outside and responded with her right hand once Bermudez let fire. Despite this being the case, the world champion ended the rounds strongly in an attempt to leave a long-lasting impression on the judges, which ultimately paid off.

And yet, the pressure was not accompanied by any meaningful blows as Clavel blocked most of what was coming her way. In the aftermath of the fight, Clavel’s grievances were plain to see. The challenger felt her opponent had not done enough to shade the rounds.

“I won that f**king fight!”

Kim Clavel feels she was robbed of the win vs Bermudez! #boxing #ClavelBermudez pic.twitter.com/xuwnY6NEdi

— Boxing World Weekly (@BWWBoxing) October 8, 2023

“You can’t win a fight in the last 10 seconds. I had good discipline and a great defense and I did everything and I felt I won that fight,” Clavel

The loss left Clavel with many questions moving forward as a rematch with Yesica Plata, the only other fighter to have beaten her, appears out of the question.

Reaction

And angry Kim Clavel! Another controversy in boxing! https://t.co/9AW1z7zSVn

— Women’s Fight News (@WomensFightNew1) October 8, 2023