Kim Clavel, the former WBC light-flyweight champion from Joliette, has signed on with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions. Clavel, now 21-2 with 3 knockouts, has put together four wins in a row since her last defeat. Her most recent outing came in February, when she boxed her way to a unanimous decision over the experienced Anabel Ortiz. She’s expected to make her first appearance under the MVP banner later this autumn.
Clavel isn’t a prospect signing. At 34 (turning 35 in September), she’s a proven name who once held the WBC strap in 2022 after outpointing Yesenia Gómez. Before that, she built a decorated amateur background with 85 fights, a top-five world ranking, and a gold medal at the 2017 Continental Games.
She’s also respected outside the ropes. During the pandemic, Clavel—trained as a nurse—returned to long-term care work, a move that earned her the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2020 ESPYs. That chapter, along with her stint on “Big Brother Célébrités – Québec,” keeps her relevant beyond boxing’s walls.
Why MVP Is Betting on Clavel at 34/35
MVP isn’t chasing “feel-good” signings for headlines. They’re backing Clavel because she can still draw, still sell, and still win. She’s headlined in Montreal before, pulled respectable TV ratings, and has a built-in fanbase across Quebec. Signing her makes sense for Paul and Bidarian’s Canadian expansion—Clavel joins compatriots Lucas Bahdi and Tamm Thibeault in bolstering MVP’s presence in Quebec.
Clavel herself spelled out her motivation:
“A new chapter begins with MVP: pride, motivation, and the honor of joining a team that’s redefining women’s boxing. We have come a long way, but we still have far to go.”
Does Clavel Have One More Title Run?
Here’s the reality: the women’s 108-lb division is loaded. Fighters like Evelyn Bermúdez, Yesica Bopp, and rising names in the IBF/WBA rankings make it one of the deepest weight classes. Clavel has experience, marketability, and the résumé, but time isn’t her ally.
If MVP matchmakers ease her in with winnable fights, she can build momentum for one last title push. But if they drop her straight into the teeth of the young contenders, it could get rough. This stage isn’t about building a career—it’s about squeezing one last run at relevance and maybe another strap before the window shuts.
This deal is as much business as boxing. MVP strengthens its Canadian foothold with a fighter Quebec already knows and supports. Clavel gets her final chance to etch a legacy beyond being “the ex-champ who once held a belt.”
But it’s time-sensitive. If she doesn’t land another world title shot—or at least a marquee fight—within the next 18 months, this partnership risks turning into nostalgia booking rather than revival.
They keep saying it’s smart business move but to me it just look like clinging to someone cause of name value not talent right now. She nice lady but boxing ain’t charity work.
@Duncan42 facts bro! They making it look like some feel good movie ending when real boxing fans know this sport don’t care about past awards or sob stories 😤.
She only got three knockouts in twenty something fights so how is she gonna scare anyone? If you can’t knock people out, what chance you got with the new champs? Makes no sense 🤦♂️.
I think people overhyping her comeback too much. Just cause she got a few wins don’t mean she ready for the best again. It’s not about how many fans you got, it’s if you can fight!
She a nurse and on reality TV, but that don’t mean she gonna beat top boxers anymore. This sound like they trying to sell her story more than her punches 🥴. Ain’t nobody scared of Clavel now.
Just cause she won a belt one time don’t mean she can do it again now. She fighting younger girls now who way faster and tougher. MVP wasting money on someone that’s almost retired.
Look I ain’t saying she bad, but people acting like she still got it all. She won some fights after losing but them wasn’t big names. MVP just using her for her fans in Canada 🤷♂️.
I don’t get why they keep signing fighters who already past their prime. She already 35 almost and that’s old in boxing. Ain’t no point pushing someone who done had they shot already 🙄.