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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
David Lemieux: "I Look To A Win
By KO"
By Daniel Cloutier
LAS VEGAS - Glen Tapia, a fighter from New Jersey, will have
his first fight in the middleweight division next Saturday
at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and for this occasion,
he will face one of the most powerful punchers of the
division, the Montrealer David Lemieux.
Former IBF middleweight champion of the world, Lemieux
(31-3-0) will fight Tapia (23-2-0) in the 10 rounds bout
presented before the WBC middleweight championship of the
world opposing the champion, the Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez
(46-1-1), and the challenger, the British Amir Khan
(31-3-0).
“I am so impatient to go back in the ring, said Lemieux. I
did not fight since my defeat against Gennady Golovkin last
October at the Madison Square Garden in New York, then, I am
missing terribly the action. I am perfectly prepared for
this bout. I am extremely hungry to be back in the winning
circle. As you know, my fight with the Texan James De La
Rosa has been cancelled Match 12th in Montréal, because I
was overweight (two pounds and a half) at the weight in. I
was so frustrated when my manager, Camille Estephan, told me
that De La Rosa was refusing to fight me, even if Camille
offered more money. However, the following day, I came back
in the gym to be prepared to go in the ring as soon as
possible. My weight is very good at this point. I am sure I
will be able to respect the 160 pounds limit in Las Vegas. I
was so happy when Camille confirmed me that I would face
Glen Tapia in Las Vegas. I will be more than happy to fight
next Saturday.”
Lemieux said he watched Tapia in action on videos in the
last two last weeks. “Tapia is a very aggressive fighter,
and it’s absolutely perfect for me, said Lemieux. As you
know, I hate to fight a boxer that I am oblige to chase
constantly. If Tapia is attacking constantly, I will more
than happy. I love intense and violent bout. Tapia is a
warrior, good, but his defence is certainly his weakness…
and good again. My plan is to connect him solidly in each
round. We will see how will react. Do I look for a win by
KO? Absolutely. I want to hurt him in every rounds, and see
him on the canvas before the end of the fight. You know me,
I am powerful puncher and I always try to win by KO or TKO.”
Tapia lost his last bout by TKO (fourth round) in the super
welterweight division, but he said he was obliged to lose 12
pounds in the days before this bout with the French Michel
Soro (17-1-1), in May, at the Prudential Centre in Newark,
New Jersey. Tapia said he will a lot of stronger in the
middleweight division.
“It’s possible that Tapia was unable anymore to fight in the
154 pounds division, but it was his problem, not mine”, said
Lemieux.
Lemieux was smiling when we told him that a lot of boxing
fans in Montréal believe he still affected mentally by his
defeat by TKO in the eight round against Golovkin, last
October in New York, in an unification world title bouts
(IBF and WBA).
“Am I still affected by my defeat with Golovkin? Absolutely
not, said Lemieux. I feel stronger mentally and physically
than ever. And I mentioned it several times, I would love to
get a rematch with Golovkin. I made a lot of technical
mistakes against Golovkin, mistakes I will not repeat in my
next fights. I learned so much in this fight with Golovkin.
I am positive that 2016 and 2017 will be the most productive
years of my boxing career. I want to beat clearly Tapia
Saturday, and get another chance to fight in a world
championship bout. I know I have the potential to became
back world champion. No doubt in my mind, I have my place in
the elite of the middleweight division. I will certainly
prove it this year and next year. And the people who doubted
I have my place in the elite of the middleweight division,
should watch me in action Saturday evening. I can promise
you that the boxing fans who doubted of my potential, will
certainly change their mind after my victory over Tapia.”
Before his fight with Golovkin (34-0-0), a boxer from
Kazakstan that several boxing writers are considering now as
the best fighter pound for pound in the world, Lemieux won
the IBF middleweight championship of the word, last May at
Bell Centre in Montréal, in beating the French African
Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (31-2-0) by unanimous decision in 12
rounds.
“I am positive I will become back world champion this year
or next year, said Lemieux. I just need to know who will
give me that opportunity. I know in my head I have the
confidence, the determination and the talent to be in the
world champion shoes.”
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