Kim Clavel’s chance to win the WBC junior flyweight title is going to have to wait at least a little while longer. Clavel, who was set to challenge Yesenia Gomez on Thursday in Montreal for Gomez’s title, contracted COVID-19, according to her promoter, Yvon Michel.
Michel tweeted Monday that Clavel has “quite virulent” symptoms. Her trainer, Stephan Larouche, told ESPN that Clavel has “big-time” symptoms, including a fever, dehydration and headaches. He said when she is able to return to training, they will take things slowly in order to make sure her health recovers.
The 31-year-old Montreal native spent the first part of the COVID pandemic working as a nurse — a field that had housed her first career — including treating elderly patients. During that time, for which she won the Pat Tillman Award for Service ESPY in 2020, she did not contract COVID-19.
Now, less than a week before the biggest fight of her career, she is ill and unable to fight.
It’s not the first time the Clavel-Gomez bout has been postponed. Clavel had to pull out of the fight in November after an injury. In January, Gomez asked for more preparation time for the fight, pushing it from March until April.
And now, the fight is on hold again.
Clavel (15-0, 3 KO) last fought March 11, beating Mariela Ribera Valverde, who retired in the fourth round. Gomez (19-5-3, 6 KO) was in the ring last on Oct. 16, 2021, winning a majority decision over Itzayana Cruz Delgado.