David Benavidez is Targeting May Date for Dustup with David Lemieux
According to super middleweight David “Red Flag” Benavidez (25-0, 22 KO’s), he is targeting a May dance date with David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KO’s). When the two collide, their duel will decide the fate of the WBC Interim title. Obviously, whoever holds that possesses a potential direct line to a title fight with undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Back in December of 2021, the WBC granted Alvarez “special permission” to stage a battle against WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu. In the wake of this decision, the WBC ordered the bout between Benavidez and Lemieux. Now, Red Flag and Lemieux still will test their might against one another even though Alvarez does not appear to still be fighting Makabu.
IS CANELO VERSUS BENAVIDEZ CLOSE?
Provided that Benavidez, ranked #1 (WBC), #2 (WBO) and #5 (IBF), gets the victory and interim belt, he’ll be able to apply far more legitimate pressure to Canelo. It’s no secret that Red Flag wants his shot at the poster boy of boxing. While he has always remained respectful when talking about the redhead, Benavidez is consistently adamant that he will best Canelo in a scrap. Had he not lost his belt on the scale versus Roamer Alexis Angulo, he could have already forced a showdown with Alvarez during his quest for undisputed.
Due to losing his title out of the ring, there are a number of fans who still consider Benavidez to be the unofficial WBC champion. Or, taking a step back, there are few knowledgeable fans who will deny that Benavidez is among Canelo’s toughest opposition in the division. Therefore, the promise of a future Alvarez versus Benavidez prizefight will be happily invited by the boxing world. So, let’s see what happens, as Red Flag will no doubt be the heavy favorite going into the bout.
For his part, the once fearsome David Lemieux has largely slipped into obscurity in the division. Despite being ranked #2 (WBC) and #3 (WBO), you’d be hard pressed to hear Lemieux being suggested as a thrilling opponent for Canelo; or any other of the real movers and shakers at 168. Since his loss to Billy Joe Saunders, on December 16, 2017, Lemieux has picked up five fairly meaningless wins against questionable opposition. There is little to no doubt that Benavidez will be his toughest adversary in years. So let’s see how this significant battle plays out and who inches that much closer to a legacy fight with Canelo.
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By: Bakari Simpson
