On Saturday, October 17, 2015, IBF Middleweight title holder David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) takes on the heavy-hitting Middleweight juggernaut and IBO, interim WBC and WBA title holder, Gennady Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs).
Since the fight was announced back in July, Lemieux has exuded a high level of confidence and shown that he genuinely relishes the opportunity to challenge a fighter that many other top-level Middleweight’s have avoided.
Lemieux, who sports an impressive 86 percent knockout ratio, was dominant in his last fight against Hassan N’Dam, knocking the Frenchman down four times en-route to a decision victory.
That fight did a lot to strengthen Lemieux’s case as a top-notch Middleweight and a legitimate threat to Golovkin’s reign of terror in the division.
“[Gennady] Golovkin has not faced a fighter like me before. I am an aggressive fighter and I am confident in my abilities. I feel that I will be successful on October 17,” said Lemieux during his recent media workout in Montreal.
As expected, Golden Boy Promotions–and in particular, Oscar De La Hoya–have been very vocal in their support of Lemieux who is making a difficult first defense of his newly won IBF strap.
“This is the fight of his life, the one he has been waiting for to take him to the next level. Yes, it is not an easy one, but it is a fight that David can win,” said De La Hoya.
“David will put the pressure on him and it will be an advantage for David. This time, Golovkin will be in front of David for David to land his big punches. I believe it is going to be easier than N’Dam because of his style,” said De La Hoya.
Fight fans have been vocal about wanting to see Golovkin challenged by a fighter who is aggressive and pushes the Kazakh champion back. With Lemieux, it seems as though that is what spectators will get.
But, will it be easier than the N’Dam fight for Lemieux as De La Hoya suggests? That remains to be seen.
Photos by Eye of the Tiger Management
