Lemieux has more than a puncher’s chance
The dime- store psychologists that notoriously jump to conclusions will note David Lemieux looked nervous and uneasy as he took the stage Friday for the weigh- in, stripping as he got on the scale.
It was only after he saw the end result — 159.8 pounds — did he relax, raising his left fist with a tight little smile at the corners of his mouth.
Gennady Golovkin? He smiled throughout the entire exercise and appeared more at ease. He didn’t strip, and easily came in under the 160- pound middleweight limit, at 159.4.
What, if anything does this all mean? That will be determined Saturday night ( 9 p. m., HBO pay- per- view) at Madison Square Garden — a Canadian and Kazakhstan native meeting to unify the titles in the division. It’s one of the most highly anticipated fights in the sport’s history, bringing together two explosive, hard- punching adversaries. The 20,000- seat Garden is sold out.
“Golovkin’s one- dimensional. That’s all he is. He relies on his power. He’s strong and he wants to knock you out. That’s all he does. He doesn’t know how to take a step backwards,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Lemieux’s promoter. "What David Lemieux must do is go in there and stand up to the bully. He has to make him go back. I believe he has the power. Most importantly, he has the speed.
“I’d have to give David the advantage. What ... I noticed, Golovkin’s face looks drained. he looks dry. Absolutely, he had trouble making weight. It’ll be interesting to see how Golovkin takes Lemieux’s punches the first few rounds.”
Both Golovkin and Lemieux have devastating power. Many will be stunned if the main event goes the 12- round distance. Golovkin, now fighting out of Los Angeles, is undefeated in 33 bouts, including 30 knockouts. He has stopped 20 consecutive opponents, including all 14 in his title defences. The 33- year- old holds the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council interim championships.
He has compiled a 91 per cent knockout ratio — the highest in the division’s history. He has never been off his feet in more than 400 combined amateur and pro matches. Golovkin has fought beyond the eighth round only twice in his career.
Laval’s Lemieux is no slouch, either. Only 26, he holds the International Boxing Federation’s version of the title, having captured the vacant crown last June at the Bell Centre, winning a unanimous decision against Hassan N’Dam, who was knocked down four times over 48 minutes. The victory improved Lemieux’s record to 34- 2 with 31 KOs.
Lemieux could have put his career on cruise control, handpicking an exploited opponent or two to pad his bank account while continuing to build his resumé. Instead, he has decided to climb into the ring against someone considered one of boxing ’s most- avoided fighters — Lemieux brave, bombastic and confident, albeit an overwhelming underdog, which he seems to be relishing.
“I’m going to be the best David Lemieux you’ve ever seen. It’s going to be history in the making. I can’t wait to perform,” he said. "It’s an honour for me to be here, and I don’t want to disappoint. That’s why I’m coming here at my best and I’m going to give the people everything they want to see.
“I’m leaving here with those belts,” he vowed. “I feel great. The difference is I’m going to be victorious and give Golovkin his first loss. Why? Because of what I’ve done. Me. My head.”
All but four of Lemieux’s first 25 fights ended in the first or second rounds. But then, in 2011, he suffered his first defeat, stopped in the seventh round by Marco Antonio Rubio in a WBC title-elimination bout. Eight months later, Lemieux shockingly lost a majority decision to former world champ Joachim Alcine.
I’m leaving here with those belts. I feel great. The difference is I’m going to be victorious and give Golovkin his first loss. Why? Because of what I’ve done. Me. My head.
Laval’s David Lemieux
Lemieux split with trainer Russ Anber, hiring Marc Ramsay. He hired Montreal’s Camille Estephan as his manager.
The epiphany Lemieux so badly required finally occurred. Not only did he overhaul his team, he improved his nutrition, training procedures and preparation. In short, he settled down and became serious.
Lemieux has won his last nine fights. While there were the perfunctory early- round stoppages, something he sorely required for his confidence, he also has become a more- complete boxer.
Lemieux gained prominence in the U. S. last December, scoring a 10thround technical knockout against Gabriel Rosado at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center. And then came the win against N’Dam, the former World Boxing Organization champ.
“David Lemieux isn’t the same guy that lost to Rubio. He changed his lifestyle. He’s now an athlete, a professional sportsman. Lemieux, two or three years ago, would have had no chance with Golovkin. He has a chance now,” said Montreal trainer Stephane Larouche, who brought Lucian Bute to the IBF super- middleweight crown.
“He has improved a lot. He knows what it is to be in shape for 12 rounds. He proved it his last fight,” Larouche added. “We have a new and improved version of David Lemieux. He’s more complete, more organized and sets up his punches better. He has improved the way he behaves in the ring. Most of all, Camille made sure to give him the best entourage possible to make sure he’ll focus on his job — train and get ready for big fights.”
Some have suggested Golovkin has never been pushed to his limit, hasn’t faced anyone who has been given a remote chance to defeat him. Lemieux changes that and has more than a puncher’s chance to succeed. Golovkin might have onepunch knockout ability, but Lemieux can cause serious damage with his left hook, launching his whole body into the blow.
The pressure and expectations certainly are on Golovkin.
“David has to rise to the occasion. This is way above anything he’s had to deal with,” New York matchmaker Don Majeski said. “People are picking Golovkin but, with a puncher, it can go either way.
“Being an underdog can work in Lemieux’s favour. He has nothing to lose. If anything, they’re completely under- rating him. He has tremendous power, but he’s not a bad boxer.
“He didn’t get frustrated and showed maturity against N’Dam.”
Steve Willis will be the referee. The three judges, all Americans, are Glenn Feldman, Julie Lederman and Steve Weisfeld.