Was Lemieux sacrificed to GGG ???

There's some fans of other fighters who will never understand this. A fighter willingly taking on the best guy in the division when he could milk a title in front of hometown fans for years. Imagine that :lol1: Guys like Lemieux are too rare these days. People trying to figure out what is going on when a guy shows some balls.

Beat me to it i had similar thoughts though I'm thinking GBP sent out david as a line of defense for Canelo. If lemieux wins Oscar won't need to worry bout ggg. If he lemieux loses a tough fight ggg will have some wear and tear leading up to cancel.

Because it was a risk and both Lemieux and his promoter took it like real fighters. We want to see exciting fights, here's one that will most likely be fireworks. Us the fans win. I'm definitely buying it. Great post.

I'd rather give Lemi credit for being a man and having balls than make up a conspiracy theory. From what I understand, he pushed for it. There's some fans of other fighters who will never understand this.

No it doesn't. Once Canelo beats Cotto, GGG vs Canelo is the fight. You keep thinking that, Oscar is out there talking about Canelo can still make 154.

I'd rather give Lemi credit for being a man and having balls than make up a conspiracy theory. From what I understand, he pushed for it.

There is no guarantee that Lemieux will ever make this much money again. He's already proven that he is vulnerable to inferior talent. Go for it now and if he catches GGG with a big enough shot then his value will skyrocket. This sounds about right.

Because it was a risk and both Lemieux and his promoter took it like real fighters. We want to see exciting fights, here's one that will most likely be fireworks. Us the fans win. I'm definitely buying it. Lemieux's voluntary is trying to unify titles vs the best in the division. He's a real fighter A lot of other fighters should take note.

It a very good risk for Lemieux. He earns a big payday and gets huge exposure. If he wins or loses but does well his stock goes up...through the roof if he wins...and unless he looks really bad it won't derail him anymore than Canello's lose to Mayweather. It was definitely a smart move by GBP.

I've been very curious as to why Lemieux was willing to fight GGG before making a single defense of his IBF title.... The most probable conclusion that I've come up with is Golden Boy trading the Lemieux fight (And his IBF Middleweight Championship belt) to GGG in exchange for GGG not contesting the WBC belt in the upcoming Canelo vs Cotto fight. As we know, GGG was the WBC mandatory for Cotto.... GGG could have forced Cotto to either fight or vacate the title... A step aside agreement would have to be reached.... (Oscar showing some business savvy behind the scenes?) Canelo and Lemieux are both tied to Oscar De La Hoya.... So I think some kind of understanding was reached at the expense of Mr. Lemieux thus allowing Canelo to fight for the lineal Middleweight belt... Make no mistake, Lemieux will make a boat load of cash... But he would have anyway after a few defenses.... GGG is on a mission to unify the Middleweight division and would come knocking at the door of the IBF eventually anyway.... It's just my opinion, because making a easier defense or more for Lemieux makes more sense... The GGG fight would happen regardless as long as Lemieux holds the IBF title... Thoughts ??? Simple Lemieux just picked off the IBF title on FS2, Golden Boy Promotions just lost out on the deal that they had with FS1, and HBO is being stingy with the fights that they're willing to pick up (especially for fights not featuring Cotto/Alvarez/Klitschko/Kovalev/Golovkin/Pacquiao). Lemieux wasn't going to get a TV date otherwise, and it wasn't a definitive case that he's actually good enough to beat his IBF mandatory challenger. Golden Boy took the short money now, prepped Lemieux to catch his beating, and are then banking on being able to take him back to Montreal (feasting on a series of bums before the next time he fights a live body).

Thing is, he's young, marketable, fun style, from boxing hotspot. There's money to be made, they could go the Bute/Stevenson route. He'd be pretty safe with that level of comp. Or at least let him have a defense or 2. As the other guy stated, he already has losses but he's rebuilt his career and is getting a big opportunity himself. It's a big PPV fight against a rising star, it's a hell of chance for him considering where his career was a few years ago. True, he could have kept his belt hostage and fought a bunch of nobodies at home, but mixing it with the likes of GGG and possibly eventually Canelo, Cotto, ect. brings much more money, prestige and exposure. Big risk but a huge reward for him. The key element here that needs to be added into the equation is that GGG had Cotto where he wanted him.... Cotto had to fight GGG next (Before Canelo) or vacate the title... GGG had to get something to step aside and allow Canelo vs Cotto to fight for the WBC belt.... Otherwise it would not be a title fight..... What do you think GGG got for his generosity ??? (Especially considering GGG was doggedly hounding Sergio Martinez for that WBC lineal championship belt only to watch Cotto take it.) I think GGG got the Lemieux fight for the IBF title to pacify him while he waits for resolution to Canelo vs Cotto... What did GGG get in your opinion if not the Lemieux fight ??? You could be correct with your assessment. However, this is boxing and we know the politics at play could have somehow kept the belt for the Cotto VS Canelo fight regardless of what he and his team wanted. He's a small fish compared to them so I doubt the powers that be would let him derail the fight being a championship bout. Even if somehow they did manage to strip Cotto, the show would have gone on with or without the belt. Hell, some organization could have just custom made some BS "platinum belt" for this big event to be called a title fight, the casuals don't know any better. Hell, it's better for GGG to let Cotto and Canelo fight for the belt in a big PPV match in hopes he can fight the winner in a big unification bout. Him fighting Lemieux just happened to align nicely with all of this IMO.

If GGG wins I don't think he will make any deals or compromises. He doesn't care about fighting the Cotto-Canelo winner so much as he wants the WBC title belt. I believe he will demand the winner defend the title against him in their next fight at the full 160 pounds or vacate the title. If they vacate the title then GGG fights whoever the WBC says he should fight for the vacant title. The WBC should back GGG 100%. GGG has been the best middleweight in the world for years and he has chased Martinez and then Cotto for years. Let GGG fight for that god damn WBC belt at the legal, correct and traditional 160 pounds.

GGG made a Sacrifice .... I agree with this, and they have their fingers crossed that Lemieux can pull off the big upset somehow. Who know,s they might just have a bit of confidence in their fighter, you know. I mean, I don't see how Lemiux is being 'sacrificed' here. Is every fighter going in as an underdog being sacrificed? You are forgetting that GGG made a huge Sacrifice.. The key element here that needs to be added into the equation is that GGG had Cotto where he wanted him.... Cotto already made his voluntary title defense and Cotto had to fight GGG next (As the mandatory, Before Canelo) or vacate the title... GGG had to get something to step aside and allow Canelo vs Cotto to fight for the WBC belt.... Otherwise it would not be for the WBC and lineal Middleweight Championship... What do you think GGG got for his generosity ??? (Especially considering GGG was doggedly hounding Sergio Martinez for that WBC lineal championship belt only to watch Cotto take it.) I think GGG got the Lemieux fight for the IBF title to pacify him while he waits for resolution to Canelo vs Cotto... For his sacrifice, what did GGG get in your opinion if not the Lemieux fight ???

No it doesn't. Once Canelo beats Cotto, GGG vs Canelo is the fight. Not if GB push for a rematch like Oscar has already said.

I agree with this, and they have their fingers crossed that Lemieux can pull off the big upset somehow. Who know,s they might just have a bit of confidence in their fighter, you know. I mean, I don't see how Lemiux is being 'sacrificed' here. Is every fighter going in as an underdog being sacrificed? Thing is, he's young, marketable, fun style, from boxing hotspot. There's money to be made, they could go the Bute/Stevenson route. He'd be pretty safe with that level of comp. Or at least let him have a defense or 2.

No. He hasn't even lost yet. He took the fight of his own free will because he is a real champion, not a Wilder type who wants to keep a belt the easiest possible way. GGG and Lemieux are true champions who want all the belts and want to be recognized as the best middleweight in the world, not just one of the middleweight title belt holders.

Also, I think GBP realized that Lemiux could very well lose some "easier" fight for way less money, he has lost twice before. They did the smart thing to put a big fight together while it's hot. Get him paid, make HBO happy. A win for everyone. I agree with this, and they have their fingers crossed that Lemieux can pull off the big upset somehow. Who know,s they might just have a bit of confidence in their fighter, you know. I mean, I don't see how Lemiux is being 'sacrificed' here. Is every fighter going in as an underdog being sacrificed?

Also, I think GBP realized that Lemiux could very well lose some "easier" fight for way less money, he has lost twice before. They did the smart thing to put a big fight together while it's hot. Get him paid, make HBO happy. A win for everyone.

i dont think lemieux is being sacrificed." Lemieux could cherry pick a voluntary before a GGG clash... It makes good business sense.... As far as Oscar is concerned, Canelo with the lineal Middleweight belt is a huge marketing chip for a already marketable commodity.... Canelo could vacate and go back down..... Wait for GGG to unify the division in the next few years and bank on a prime Canelo vs a older, potentially more vulnerable GGG in his late 30's... That would make good business sense (Especially if GGG breaks Bhop's Middleweight consecutive defenses record of 20.) as long as Canelo doesn't get caught up in too many Wars in the next few years... ( 1 fight for a unified title with rematch potential.) Canelo should be better in 4 years than he is today.... If Canelo is ever going to beat GGG (Very big IF !!!) his best chance is well down the road and not next year. But I'm leaning towards Canelo vs GGG next year....

i dont think lemieux is being sacrificed. gbp is redefining greatness in boxing. if you look at lemieux's status from before signing contract til now, u will see a huge rise in stock. GBP is doing their best to bring boxing back up. first hopkins, now lemieux. its not about keeping the 0, its about fighting the best, and giving it ur all. NOBODY's giving lemieux a chance. but win or lose, people will respect lemieux as long as he puts up a fight.