Golovkin Sees Lemieux as Much Better Fighter Now

By Francisco Salazar

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - It takes two to tango, right? Well, Gennady Golovkin has had a difficult time securing a dance partner in recent fights.

While world title holders think twice whether to fight Golovkin or not, one fighter decided to step up to the plate.

David Lemieux is a hard-hitting middleweight who claimed the IBF title on June 20. He could have fought a voluntary defense against a fighter for less money, but at the end of the day, a significant purse along with the possibility of winning Golovkin's world title belts was too much to pass up.

Lemieux is a different fighter now compared to a few years ago, while Golovkin has that quiet demeanor he displays before a fight that leads to something extraordinary inside the ring.

Fight fans anticipate something will take place along those lines when both square off inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 17.

The bout will be broadcast live on HBO Pay Per View. It will be the first time Golovkin will fight on a significant pay-per-view network, something that reflects what his promotional and managerial team have envisioned since Golovkin began fighting in the United States almost three years ago.

Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) will be defending his WBA, interim WBC and IBO titles, while Lemieux will defend his title, which he won when he defeated Hassan N'Dam on June 20 in Montreal, Canada.

While Miguel Cotto and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez square off five weeks later, a fight some call the anticipated fight of the year, boxing fans will receive a treat in Golovkin-Lemieux.

Some in boxing consider Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) a dangerous opponent for the Kazakh fighter. There are those who believe Lemieux will give Golovkin all he could handle before being stopped by the hard-hitting Golovkin.

Regardless of what may transpire, a sell-out crowd is expected at Madison Square Garden. It is a testament to what K2 Promotions has worked on for Golovkin.

"I figured it would sell-out," K2 Promotions Managing Director Tom Loeffler addressed a small group of reporters. "We get daily updates (from Madison Square Garden). As of Tuesday, we have sold over 15,000 tickets. I wouldn't be surprised if that number is now over 16,000. Again, it's selling fast. If the fans want to buy their tickets, they better do so soon. The only tickets available (for October 17) are the $50 tickets."

"That's the key strategy that we wanted for Gennady. He's the people's champion. He accessible to fans. He wants to fill up the arena with the fans. We want to make him accessible and the fans have responded. we always wanted to put up a quality product."

Loeffler praised Lemieux for taking the fight, considering more elite fighters or world title holders have passed on fighting Golovkin.

"That's why we have to give David Lemieux and Golden Boy a lot of credit. Since Gennady has won the WBA title in 2010, we've attempted to unify the 160-pound division. No one has wanted to get in the ring with (Gennady). We've made big offers to many and Lemeiux just won a world title. We worked out a deal with Golden Boy where David will be well-compensated, but it's is the first time a fighter is willing to step up and fight Gennady with a title to lose. It's been a long road, but Gennady is finally in a position where he could headline a PPV show and it makes the financials worthwhile." 

Golovkin has not made it a secret that he has wanted to fight Miguel Cotto to hold the WBC title outright. The WBC has mandated the winner of Cotto-Alvarez must face Golovkin for the title sometime in the first half of 2016.

While Golovkin could overlook Lemieux, he has no reason to do so, despite the fact he is a significant betting favorite.

"I think he's a much better fighter now," said Golovkin who has won his last 20 bouts by knockout. "He's the IBF champion. He's changed his team. He's much better. I respect him because he's a champion. He's a good guy. He understands his power and it's a big step for us. It's a PPV fight and its a unification fight for both of us."

"Of course, I have a plan. I know my job and I know my situation. It's an interesting situation for me. I don't lose any focus or motivation. My goal is win all the belts in the middleweight division. I've never lost any motivation (despite my wins and titles). Of course, my focus is on David Lemieux."

For Lemieux, it's a rebirth of sorts. After losing back-to-back bouts in 2011 to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine, he has won his last nine bouts in a row, including his win over N'Dam.

With manager Camille Esteplan and new trainer Marc Ramsey in tow, Lemieux has found a new sense of confidence in himself.

"I believe I have what it takes to beat Golovkin. I'm not coming in to fight Golovkin. I'm coming to beat him. I'm going in there with a different mindset. I'm very confident for this fight. I have a new team. I've changed everything around. I have a new trainer and a new manager, who's made a tremendous difference in my career. My foundation is solid. I have a good backing. I'm going in there very confident."

"People have generalized. Sheep live in groups. Lions live alone. When the opportunity came to me, I saw what was offered and I gave the okay. What's better than now? He's at his best. I'm at my best. Maybe I'll be better later. I'm very confident in my abilities. I'm not scared of anybody. I'm a world champion. I'm faced with great adversity, but I'm very confident in my abilities."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing