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Tremendous-middleweight contender David Lemieux could also be approaching his final shot at a world title. The Quebec native will tackle David Benavidez on a Showtime televised card in Glendale, Arizona on Could 21 for the interim WBC title, with a possible shot at Canelo Alvarez at stake. Canelo was not too long ago upset by light-heavyweight titlist Dmitrii Bivol and he hasn’t but acknowledged if he’ll stay at 175 or return to defend his titles at 168. However no matter Canelo’s choice, the winner of Lemieux-Benavidez will probably be one step nearer to holding a world title.
At 33 years outdated and with near 50 fights, Lemieux is within the twilight of his profession, and though he took on the very best fighters at middleweight, his latest run at super-middleweight has been inauspicious, to say the least. Since transferring up in 2019, Lemieux has overwhelmed Max Bursak, Francy Ntetu, and David Zegarra, none of whom are anyplace near being thought of a contender. Lemieux has been handed this chance towards Benavidez based mostly solely on title worth and benefit from a decrease weight class.
Given Lemieux’s mediocre opposition in his present weight class, Benavidez represents by far his hardest take a look at in a number of years. However Lemieux acknowledged in a telephone interview that he’s prepared for that leap up in competitors: “I’m prepared for the large step up towards Benavidez as a result of the chance is right here and I’m able to battle the very best within the division.”
Though Benavidez has but to register a signature win, he has earned high contender standing by beating the likes of Ronald Gavril, Anthony Dirrell, and Ronald Ellis. Nevertheless, regardless of his undefeated file (25-0), Benavidez has had a number of out-of-the-ring transgressions, which have brought on the boxing cognoscenti to query his dedication to the game and if he’ll ever measure as much as his lofty potential.
In 2018, Benavidez examined constructive for cocaine and was subsequently stripped of his WBC title. After serving a measly four-month suspension, he rebounded with knockout wins over J’Leon Love and Dirrell in 2019, the latter to regain his title. However earlier than his subsequent battle towards Roamer Alexis Angulo, Benavidez got here in obese so he was as soon as once more stripped of the title. Subsequent inside-the-distance wins over Ronald Ellis and Kyrone Davis have earned Benavidez the shot on the interim title.
On the latest digital press convention, Lemieux downplayed the opinion that that is probably the final significant alternative in his profession, but he acknowledged the significance of getting the win. “No matter your age, it’s actually now or by no means in each battle within the boxing ring,” acknowledged Lemieux. “You don’t get many possibilities to go away mark within the sport, so each battle must be taken very severely, particularly a battle of this magnitude. There’s lots at stake for me. I do know I’m the underdog, however I don’t care. I’m simply getting into there to battle, underdog or not. I’ve been the underdog previously and I’ve received the fights. It doesn’t actually hassle me.”
To beat the youthful, greater, and extra versatile Benavidez, Lemieux will want the efficiency of a lifetime. All through his profession, Lemieux has confirmed that if he can pressure opponents to commerce energy punches with him, he’ll probably go away them twitching on the canvas. Simply ask Curtis Stevens and Gary O’Sullivan. However as a lot energy as he possesses, he hasn’t proven the equal boxing abilities to beat higher echelon opposition. Gennady Golovkin dominated Lemieux with the jab on path to an eighth spherical stoppage in 2014, whereas Billy Joe Saunders embarrassed him in a boxing clinic over 12 rounds in 2017. Each time Lemieux has stepped up towards elite opposition, he has been soundly defeated.
And Benavidez represents one other elite-level opponent. Primarily based on Lemieux’s monitor file, his greatest probability at victory is to land considered one of his missile-like left hooks as a result of successful a call in Benavidez’s hometown is very unlikely. Lemieux has the proverbial puncher’s probability, and the query is whether or not he can keep inside and pressure Benavidez to commerce leather-based. Thankfully for Lemieux, Benavidez has by no means been one to shrink back from a scrap. Regardless of his tall and rangy body, Benavidez prefers to combine it up on the within the place he can land his damaging hooks and uppercuts, and assail his opponent’s midsection.
That’s precisely the kind of firefight that Lemieux is trying ahead to. “Benavidez is a man who involves battle, which is excellent for me as a result of I like guys who I don’t must chase,” defined Lemieux.
However the Quebec resident can also be ready to hunt Benavidez down ought to he determine to take a extra measured strategy. “We’ve been training for the whole lot to not go away any surprises. We’ve been coaching and sparring with guys who transfer, guys who come at me, and we’re well-rounded for 12 rounds and regardless of the battle may ask for.”
Lemieux seems to have the proper mentality heading into his greatest battle in recent times. Now it’s about getting within the ring and displaying it. Provided that the super-middleweight division could be very shallow, a loss for Lemieux towards Benavidez doesn’t routinely sign the tip of his run as a viable contender. However it is a super alternative for him to take a large step towards regaining a world title and incomes himself a battle towards Canelo, which he has coveted for years.
The time is now for Lemieux. Let’s see if he could make it depend.
(Photograph by Esther Lin)
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