Evelin Bermudez continues her streak of facing some of the most-talented lower division fighters in boxing today.

Bermudez will face former world titleholder Kim Clavel on October 7, promoter Ivon Michel officially announced Wednesday afternoon.

The 10-round bout will take place at Place Bell in Laval, Canada, a suburb of Montreal, where Clavel currently resides.  Bermudez’s IBF and WBO world junior flyweight title belts will be at stake.

The clash between Bermudez and Clavel will put two of boxing’s top 108-pound female fighters in action. Bermudez and Clavel are ranked No. 3 and 4, respectively, by The Ring.

Bermudez (18-1-1, 12 knockouts), who resides in Rosario, Argentina, lost the IBF and WBO titles on November 26 in a close majority decision to Yokasta Valle, who moved up in weight from 105 pounds to challenge Bermudez. After the victory over Bermudez, Valle decided to drop back down to the 105-pound division, where she currently holds the IBF and WBO titles in that weight class.

The 26-year-old Bermudez reclaimed the IBF and WBO junior flyweights belts in her last bout on March 10, defeating previously unbeaten Tania Enriquez of Mexico by unanimous decision. Prior to the loss to Valle, Bermudez had won previous five bouts since a split-decision draw against then-unbeaten IBF junior flyweight titleholder Silvia Torres in July 2019.

“I have always said that champions must face the best and Kim Clavel is part of this group,” said Bermudez, who is promoted by Georgina Rivero. “I’ll give you a good show and return home with my belts.”

Clavel (17-1, 3 KOs) also rebounded from a recent loss to come out victorious in her following bout.

The 32-year-old faced WBA junior flyweight titleholder Yesica Nery Plata in a unification bout on January 13, losing by unanimous decision. Clavel would lose her WBC world title belt in that bout. About four months after the loss to Nery Plata, Clavel was victorious, defeating Naomi Arellano Reyes by unanimous decision.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clavel returned to nursing, assisting the elderly in hospitals and nursing homes throughout Montreal. Her work did not go unnoticed as she was honored with the 2020 Pat Tillman award at the ESPY awards, recognized with a ‘Next Generation Leader’ award by Time Magazine, and the ‘Humanitarian Award’ by the WBC.

Clavel is grateful to have the support of fans in the area as she attempts to become a two-time world titleholder.

“My journey has not been easy,” said Clavel, who is trained by Danielle Bouchard. “I have never taken detours, but I have shaped myself and now nothing can stop me.

“I want to thank champion Evelin Bermudez for giving me this opportunity to win her titles. I know that she is a great champion and that she is confident in her abilities. I’m going to need all of Quebec behind me. I trust that with my team, my perseverance, and all of you, that on October 7, I will be world champion again.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

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