Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin (L) defends his WBA, IBO and WBC “Interim” middleweight world titles this Saturday against David Lemieux. (Getty)
It’s ‘bombs away’ this Saturday as heavy-hitters Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux collide on the grand stage of Madison Square Gardens in New York City in a middleweight world title unification bout that is guaranteed to deliver on the big drama.
“This is going to be like a street fight,” said Golovkin while talking to the media at a recent open workout. “[Lemieux] has a good style, almost like amateur style. I will beat any style – amateur style or brawl style. He will be a good test for me.”
HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the fight live starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. In the UK, Box Nation’s broadcast kicks off at 2 a.m. on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, and Talk Talk 415.
Read on for the details you need and a prediction. (Click here for a preview of the co-main event between Roman Gonzalez and Brian Viloria.)
Odds to Win and Favorite
David Lemieux (L) (Getty)
Fight fans have been salivating over this matchup between two of boxing’s biggest punchers since it was announced in July. Despite being mostly untested against top-shelf opposition, many boxing observers hail WBA, IBO and WBC “Interim” middleweight world champ ‘GGG’ Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) as one of today’s best in the sport, and the undefeated Kazakh will be taking a big step on Saturday in cementing his status as a top dog if he can get passed Canadian bruiser David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs).
Golovkin steps into the bout as a heavy favorite in Vegas and on online sportsbooks (see below), but with the amount of firepower these two maulers will carry into battle when they face off in NYC, one punch could make the difference between striking it rich on Wall Street or striking out on Queer Street.
“Power is not something that frightens me,” said Lemieux during a recent media conference call. “Nothing really frightens me when I’m in the ring, when I know I’m prepared. I know I’m going to take on the strongest there is, and I’m very confident in my strength so I have zero worries going into a fight against anybody when I’m perfectly ready, which I am today.”
A scouting report and my prediction for the fight follow below, but first let’s take look at how the bookies are calling it:
bet365: Gennady Golovkin -2000 David Lemieux +900
skyBET: Gennady Golovkin -1400 David Lemieux +700
BETFRED: Gennady Golovkin -1600 David Lemieux +900
StanJames: Gennady Golovkin -1800 David Lemieux +650
Over/unders (predicting if a bout will be shorter or longer than the number of rounds posted), on the other hand, are more competitive, with most bookies’ offerings at 5½ rounds:
sportbet: over 5½ -135 under 5½ +115
10Best: over 5½ -131 under 5½ +102
32RED: over 5½ -143 under 5½ +108
The Protagonists
Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (L) and David Lemieux (R) face off during a press conference. (Getty)
One of today’s most feared and exciting boxers, ‘GGG’ Golovkin is a high action, one-punch knockout machine, with a ring style resembling a killer robot– always moving forward on his prey, eating shots for breakfast, while closing the distance before unleashing his fury.
Golovkin, 33 years old, is a selective, economical puncher who throws with purpose and deadly intentions. He wields a stiff jab that he employs as an offensive weapon, and he carries fight-ending artillery in both hands. The Olympic silver medalist has a reliable chin, possesses quality footwork and ring generalship, and is an excellent strategist. It is this ability to cut off the ring and apply constant pressure, together with his explosive power, that makes Triple-G among the most exciting pugilists of our time.
Gennady, who is currently ranked number four on Ring Magazine’s pound for pound list, was last in action with a stoppage win over Willie Monroe Jr in May. Prior to his Monroe encounter, GGG had outfoxed Brit Martin Murray, decapitated Marco Antonio Rubio with a second-round kayo, pummeled Daniel Geale.
David Lemieux is a 26-year-old, thick-limbed slugger who also carries devastating power in both hands. He’s a very quick starter with a fan-pleasing style, running out of the corner with the opening bell and ready to macerate his opponent. He’s an excellent finisher, seemingly able to put away a show at will.
While Lemieux’s endurance had been subject to question following his back to back losses to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine in 2011, who both took the Montreal native late into the fights before earning their wins, Lemieux proved he could swim in the deep end after his 11-round TKO victory over Gabriel Rosado in December and his unanimous decision win over Hassan N’Dam this last June.
“Those two losses are completely insignificant to where I am today, because, you know, everybody has their path, everybody has their ways of doing things and their evolution and becoming a champion,” said Lemieux. “I lost those two fights because of things I neglected, and I changed everything in my life to be where I am at today.”
Coming up…my prediction.
Prediction
(Getty)
What a matchup! Two forward-moving demolition machines squaring off under the electrifying atmosphere of a full house at the iconic Madison Square Garden. Big drama show, indeed. Love it!
The lead story here is, of course, the destructive power both of these grinders wield. But will this weekend’s confrontation be an all out assault with an early night-night for one of the fighters, or a drawn out war of smarts and conditioning?
While I agree with the general consensus that GGG will ultimately retain his perfect record on Saturday, I do think that the betting public is underestimating what Lemieux brings to the table and I believe he’s a live dog who may ask some tough questions of the mighty Golovkin, especially early on in the fight.
Boxers have to do what they do best, and it would be foolish for Lemieux to try to out-maneuver as good of a ring general as Golovkin. I see Lemieux coming out at the bell like the Dickens, working to put GGG on his back foot, and looking to end the contest early.
But expect Golovkin’s refined boxing skills, timing, and speed advantage to keep the brawler under control and to rack up the punishment until the Canadian is ripe for a late-round stoppage.
Guy’s pick: Golovkin by late-round technical knockout.
On the evening’s co-main event, number one pound for pound boxer Roman Gonzalez defends his perfect record when he faces Brian Viloria; and kicking off the broadcast, Eamonn O’Kane takes on Tureano Johnson.
Follow me on twitter at @GuyDocetoni.
