Via Sean Jones: David Benavidez (25-0.22 KOs) will be looking to claim the interim super-middleweight WBC title next month against former IBF 160-lb champion David Lemieux (43-4.36 KOs) and show the fans. that he was number 1 fighter in the 168-lb division on May 21.
Bivol vs. Lemieux will feature on SHOWTIME at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
During this week’s virtual press conference, Lemieux already looks like a defeated boxerwith his right eye darkened from what appears to be care and showing very little energy or enthusiasm.
Canadian boxer Lemieux looked like he needed a couple of strong cups of coffee to give him some much needed energy during his press conference, but Sean Jones doubts that will help.
When Lemieux fought Gennadiy Golovkin and Billy Joe Saunders, he was very excited in the preparation for those battles.
Not this time. Lemieux looks like someone is fighting a war they know they can’t win, and it’s hard to blame him.
If this were Canelo Alvarez, he’d be in the same battle boat as Benavidez and have no real chance of winning other than a controversial decision.
Benavidez, 25, has established himself as superior to undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo, so he wants to beat the star to prove to fans what he’s known since long.
Canelo, of course, showed no interest in letting Benavidez unmask him, so he moved up 175 to challenge WBA champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7.
The problem is like this. When Canelo returns to 168, there will be no facing Benavidez. He will face 40-year-old Gennadiy Golovkin, assuming the Mexican star beats Bivol successfully.
“I just want people to see that I am the best at this weight class,” said Benavidez.
“I’m excited to join this fight against Lemieux because he’s someone I’ve been following for a long time and I like his style,” Benavidez said.
“We are also fighting for the interim title, which makes the stage so much bigger. I’m just ready to go home and win that title.
“Everybody knows me. I feel like I’m one of the best in this department and I’ve called on the best. That’s why I have so much respect for Lemieux because he joined this fight. ” @ Benavidez300 #BenavidezLemieux pic.twitter.com/Ykubtky02e
– SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) April 26, 2022
“I see flaws in David’s game, and I’m sure he sees my flaws,” Benavidez said. I know he wants to stop me, and I want to stop him. This will be an excellent battle for the fans. ”
Of course, Benavidez noticed the flaws in Lemieux’s game. We’re talking about a guy who was a straight forward basic slugger who fell every time he went up a level in his career.
Although Lemieux has won its last five matches, it has come at the expense of low-level opposition.
Lemieux’s five most recent competitors:
- David Zegarra
- Francy Ntetu
- Maksym Bursak
- Gary O’Sullivan
- Karim Achour
