All photos by Eye of the Tiger Management
On Saturday, March 11, 2017, Verona, New York played host to a classic matchup of two power-punching Middleweight fighters in David Lemieux (37-3, 33 KOs) and Curtis Stevens (26-6, 21 KOs).
Bad blood had been brewing between the two leading up to the fight and it surely translated into the ring.
Both guys came in needing a big win in order to stay relevant in the middleweight division, but it was Lemieux who gained what could easily be the Knockout of the Year.
Right after the sound of the opening bell, it was bombs away. Both Lemieux and Stevens came out with the intention of ripping the others head off. Stevens escaped the opening round, but took quite a bit of punishment in the process.
Round 2 started in a similar fashion until Lemieux stepped off the gas for a bit. Stevens tried to capitalize but did little to intimidate the Canadian.
The third round would get the fans in Verona off their feet, as Lemieux closed the fight with a devastating left hook that left Stevens unconscious as he was falling to the canvas.
“I told you what I was going to do tonight and I did it,” said Lemieux in his post-fight interview with Max Kellerman.
While watching the replay of his lethal KO Lemieux was impressed with his work. “Check mate. It’s a perfect connection and what we’ve been practicing for and what I was looking to do. “
There were concerns for the well being of Stevens as he laid on the canvas for quite some time after the knockout. Ringside analysts confirmed that Stevens was immediately taken to a hospital to receive proper medical attention.
Lemieux on the other hand, remained cheerful in the ring and spoke about what he hopes is his resurgence in the Middleweight division.
“The fans want to see great fights and I have great fights to give,” said Lemieux.
“Of course I want to fight the best fighters out there. [BJ] Saunders has the title, Canelo [Alvarez] is someone we’ve been talking about, and for sure there’s the kingpin in Gennady Golovkin who I’d love to defeat.”
Lemieux certainty made a statement that he’s still someone to look out for at 160 pounds and while a fight with GGG may not be on the table yet, a fight with Saunders or Canelo could be appealing.
#KnockoutoftheYear #LemieuxStevens pic.twitter.com/txRITfYDQ7
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) March 12, 2017
