1. The Jab
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
This first key is mostly wishful thinking, but still important. Lemieux is not much of a jabber, which is a shame because the jab is one of the easiest punches to catch Gennady Golovkin with. Lemieux needs to settle a pressure fighter like Golovkin as quickly as possible, and one way to do so is by using the jab.
As Lemieux should understand, being a pressure fighter himself, such a fighter will continue to come forward if his opponent retreats, produces too much movement, and/or doesn’t throw enough punches. While Lemieux has the most confidence in his power, he also needs to focus on setting up his power punches in the most strategic way.
It’s also critical that Lemieux use the jab to establish his distance early on in the fight. He can’t just leap in and throw ripping shots on Golovkin without sacrificing his defense and thus, himself. He must use the jab to make Golovkin second-guess his approach and, when the timing is right, unleash devastating blows.