David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
This is an interesting fight on paper that pits two fighters who need to bounce back from stoppage defeats, albeit David Lemieux lost at a much higher level than Glen Tapia did.
Tapia is also moving from Super Welterweight to face a guy who has trouble to make Middleweight, and will no doubt be extremely heavy on fight night.
Additionally, consider Lemieux’s knockout ratio, and this is a formidable opponent for Tapia to face in his Middleweight debut.
I see Lemieux having too much for Tapia from the start. I feel he will overwhelm Tapia with his pressure and size, and once his wild (yet damaging) hooks land, he will break down Tapia to get a stoppage within five rounds.
Prediction: Lemieux
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Tapia
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer A great make-it or break-it fight for both fighters, David Lemieux should be too much for the brave Glen Tapia to handle.
Both a limited brawlers, although Tapia has tried refining himself as a boxer more recently. Lemieux’s method of attack may be hollow, but it’s damn effective once he gets into a rhythm. Lemieux is a master of getting close and chopping away with power shots.
Tapia’s best chance of survival is to pump his jab into Lemieux’s face and work the body. Last October, Gennady Golovkin broke down Lemieux using a precise jab and body shots
under Lemieux’s high guard. I don’t think Tapia has the power to bother Lemieux, however. Tapia is coming up in weight, and even then, he has never truly been known a thunderous puncher. Lemieux’s chin is solid, evidence of standing up to all of Golovkin’s power shots.
Tapia has an abundance of heart, but look for Lemieux to make a statement. Hopefully with this win, Lemieux can move work his way back to the top, perhaps a fight with Andy Lee? Lemieux by early TKO.
Prediction: Lemieux
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Glen Tapia, who is coming off a thrashing four-round stoppage loss at Super Welterweight is stepping up not only in weight but quality of opponent to confront hard punching Middleweight contender David Lemieux.
Lemieux would like nothing more than to claim the vacant WBO NABO trinket at stake in this contest and make his case for another title shot (think Alvarez vs. Lemieux).
Tapia has other plans. In the words of the immortal Mike Tyson, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Lemieux by knockout in Round 5.
Prediction: Lemieux
Ardy Ajoste, Graphic Designer
Prediction: Lemieux
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
I get why people like Glen Tapia; he’s a tough customer and he’s willing to go out on his shield–which makes for entertaining fights.
After losing his last fight by KO, this is getting close to dangerous, as Tapia’s in with another big puncher in David Lemieux.
This has the makings of a showcase fight for Lemieux, as he has all the advantages on paper. Though Tapia is somewhat of a puncher himself, Lemieux has the edge in experience and hand speed.
While I expect Lemieux to win this fight by knockout in the early rounds, I wouldn’t put it past Lemieux to get caught as we’ve seen that happen before.
Prediction: Lemieux
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Lemieux
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, David Lemieux will face Glen Tapia on the undercard of Canelo vs. Khan. Both Lemieux and Tapia are coming off knockout losses. Tapia lost via TKO against Michel Soro almost exactly a year ago from Saturday night and this is Lemieux’s comeback fight after being stopped by Gennady Golovkin last October in a Middleweight unification bout.
Tapia is moving up in weight for this fight, even though he is the taller fighter with a three-inch reach advantage. Both fighters are typically more focused on their offensive game. Lemieux is known for cutting off the ring and throwing powerful combinations to both the head and body.
Tapia is great at applying pressure, and because he typically has a reach advantage, he is able to fight from the outside which allows him to control the pace of the fight.
Though both fighters are heavy-hitters and have a strong offensive game, whoever recognizes the other’s weaknesses and effectively adapts their game plan will be the one who comes out on top.
When Lemieux is unable to control the pace of the fight, he struggles to adjust. Tapia isn’t afraid to exchange with anyone, but he can sometimes forget to keep his hands up while trading shots with his opponents.
Both men are great fighters with something to prove Saturday night and this fight is extremely important to both of their careers. This fight could go a lot of different ways, but I am predicting that Lemieux’s power will be too much for Tapia.
Tapia has been known to relax his hands, leaving him vulnerable. I think Lemieux is going to take advantage of this weakness, ending the fight via TKO late in the bout.
Prediction: Lemieux
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
In my opinion, Glen Tapia was fed to the wolves too early. That James Kirkland war messed him up, and David Lemieux might just finish the job.
Perhaps the move up to Middleweight will be good for Tapia who has said he’s had to battle to make weight in the past, but I just think Lemieux is ready to prove something and knock someones block off after being dominated by Gennady Golovkin.
I think Tapia will be gutsy and hang tough, but get stopped in the middle rounds.
Prediction: Lemieux
