Can David Lemieux be a factor at 168?
Former IBF Middleweight champion David Lemieux (42-4, 35KOs) made his 2021 ring debut against David Zegarra (34-4, 21KOs). It was the Canadian’s first fight since October of 2020, which he won via stoppage in two rounds.
The power-punching former champion has been relegated to afterthought status. His last two significant fights at middleweight came against former WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders and Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan. Saunders easily out-boxed him in December of 2017. Lemieux stopped Spike in one round back in September of 2018.
NEW WEIGHT CLASS!
Now campaigning at super middleweight, the hard-hitting Lemieux will look to have similar success as he did in the middleweight division. To do that, he will have to go through a gauntlet of top tier fighters, which will not be easy. At 32 years of age and a lot of mileage on his body, it is hard to imagine where he finds success. Outside of his well known power, what else can he bring to the table that will make him a bona fide threat? That is the question we are all asking for the answer to.
Ranked number 2 in the WBC, number 3 in the WBO and number 4 in the WBA super middleweight rankings, a few more wins and Lemieux could be in play for a possible title opportunity in 2022. With the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Caleb Plant, and David Benavidez in the division, there are no shortage of big fights for him.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
