By James Slater – Though there are a number of talented and exciting prospects currently making names for themselves in boxing, one fighter in particular seems to have really got himself noticed as of late. No, not Mexico’s Saul Alvarez (though he is certainly a great prospect, as well as being an almost sure thing as far as being a future world champion) – I’m talking about Canadian middleweight banger David Lemiuex..
Still only 21, yet already having his team so convinced in his talents that they are talking about him boxing a world title eliminator by early next year, Lemieux is seen as a can’t miss prospect. Only last week, in what was felt to be a significant step up of sorts, the new star took out the experienced Hector Camacho Junior inside one sizzling round. So quick was his night’s work, Lemieux will be back in the ring on December 3rd, once again at The Bell Centre in Montreal.
This is the word according to Yvon Michel, the 21-year-old’s promoter, who spoke with ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael this week. Lemieux will box a TBA on Dec. 3rd, then fight again on February 11th, and then be back in action on April 8th. Reportedly, all three bouts will be aired on ESPN – either on ESPN3.com, or on ESPN 2.
“We’re trying to secure a title eliminator for February and [trainer] Russ [Anber] told us after the April 8 fight he will be ready for anybody,” Michel told Rafael. “We want to go after the champion, big time: Sergio Martinez, Paul Williams, whoever.”
This, of course, is big talk from Lemieux’s promoter, but maybe the young fighter whose punching power has been awesomely effective so far, can reach the heights Michel speaks of. And maybe, as was the case with the young Mike Tyson in 1985, Lemieux is a fighter far more advanced than his years would suggest.
No-one knew if the 21-year-old Tyson would be able to cope with older, more experienced fighters of high quality such as Michael Spinks, Trevor Berbick and Pinklon Thomas, but of course he did. Unleashing Lemieux against the likes of Martinez and Williams at such an early age may well backfire, but the redhot middleweight has the look of a fighter who, if he catches ANYONE cleanly on the chin, he will win the fight.
No, we don’t yet know how Lemieux’s chin will stand up to a bomb from a Williams, a Martinez or a Pavlik, but if the Canadian is the whole package and not just a huge puncher, the middleweight division had better look out!
Fans in Canada think they have found a future superstar in Lemieux, 24-0(23). Maybe they are right!