Kim Clavel, the WBC light flyweight world champion, is a passionate woman in everything she does.
Her mother, Linda Caron, became a single parent when Kim was just 6 months old. She considers herself lucky, because despite their separation, her parents made sure that her father, Pierre Clavel, would be present in her life: “Dad was a cowboy like no other”. While his mother taught him the importance of life values.
You lived in Mascouche.
I lived in Mascouche until I was 4 years old. I have a sister, Angie, who is a horse trainer in Oklahoma.
You then moved to the Joliette region.
We lived near Joliette, in Saint-Calixte, Crabtree and Saint-Liguori. Moreover, when I was 16, my sister and I lived on a farm in Saint-Liguori where we bred racehorses. We did stable maintenance and walked the horses to Blue Bonnets, where I worked a few years later.
When you were younger, your mother bought a horse.
My mother, in addition to her daily work, maintained the stable for the expenses that surrounded the horse. I also had fun in the forest and running in the fields. It was a simple activity, however, I was happy.
Your mother often tells you an anecdote that touches you a lot.
I was barely 5 years old when I opened the door of the fridge which was almost empty, and, looking at her, I told her that I was still happy with her. Mom started crying.
Hotdogs around a fire, it was a foodie night
We didn’t have a lot of money, but the evenings at Lac Opéra, which I shared with my mother and my sister sitting on a rock around a fire enjoying hot dogs, were as beautiful as go to great restaurants.
Your mother inspired you a lot.
When I was very young, my mother taught me the importance of helping people in need.
You accompanied your mother to work.
I was barely 8 or 10 years old and I accompanied him to a residence for people with Alzheimer’s. I can still see myself blowing on their spoon because the soup was too hot, or taking walks with them.
You have always loved combat sports.
For seven years, I did taekwondo, because my mother thought I had too much energy, and that allowed me, among other things, to learn respect for people.
You were having fun outside.
I didn’t need video games, because I had fun creating games with my imagination. My sister was my best friend, however unlike me she loved to read. Often, I would ask him to stop reading to join me.
You played basketball at school.
Yes, because I was enrolled in a basketball concentration, but I was more dominant in cross-country races, not to mention dodgeball in the schoolyard, and sometimes I was better than the boys.
You were 15 when you started boxing.
I had asked the boxing coach, Mr. Michel Morin, to join his team. At 6’4″ and 240 lbs, he leaned over to explain to me that he had to discuss the situation with me. Once the discussion was over, I joined his team. However, at my first practice, my mother had given me a pair of shoes that were not the same color.
It wasn’t your first punch that gave you confidence.
No, because before I might throw my first punch, I suffered several of my opponents during the sessions of sparring.
How did you build your confidence?
The day I understood that it was more important to dodge blows than to give them. I smiled when dodging punches because it allowed me to hit my opponent with more power.
You joined Boxe Montreal.
I was blessed, because Stéphan Larouche and his spouse, Danielle Bouchard – who in July 2008 became the first Canadian boxer to deliver a world championship fight – agreed to train me. Their love for me motivates me a lot.
You had no money to pay for gas for your car.
I had to lie to Stéphane telling him that I mightn’t go to training because I had to work. However, in reality, I didn’t have enough money to pay for gas for my car.
How did you collect money?
I worked to sort the garbage and clean the septic tanks. However, I nearly ended my career when my finger got stuck under a compressor used to make movie screens.
The emergency rope did not work.
My colleagues were pulling on the rope to stop the compressor, but in vain. I suffered a major hand and wrist injury.
Who was your mentor?
Canadian boxer Ariane Fortin. In fact, I lived with her in Montreal, and without her support and encouragement, I would never have finished my studies, because I was a high school dropout.
Tell us regarding your days.
In the morning, I went to the east end of Montreal to take English classes. Then I came back to the Center Claude-Robillard for a boxing session. Once this session was over, I headed to Côte-des-Neiges to take my nursing assistant course, five times a week, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. This routine was part of my life for 18 months.
Unfortunately, we’ll have to talk regarding your career another time. However, you told me that you would like to have children.
Currently, my career prevents me from having children. Once my career is over, I would like to have children in order to share my love with them.
You have a message for young girls.
Never be afraid to take your place in life, but above all to work to get there.
