GGG vs. Lemieux

GGG vs. Lemieux

By M.DeTyrone

On October 17, 2015, the WBA Super World Middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will face the IBF World Middleweight Champion David Lemieux. This fight is one that the good majority of casual fans and boxing fans that prefer sluggers are waiting to see. This is boxing entertainment of two sluggers or best one slugger vs. a slugger/infighter. Many questions remain about GGG’s fanatical irrational fan base, one is will the network ratings, and years of media driven hype translate into good pay per view numbers.

Both boxers have high KO percentages so there’s the expectation that this fight will end in a KO or TKO. GGG has never lost or has been KO however; Joachim Alcine defeated Lemieux in 2011 and Lemieux was TKO’d in seven rounds by Marco Antonio Rubio in 2011. Not the marks of a top quality opponent outside his KO record, which 31 KOs and 29 of those KOs came within the first five rounds.

Lemieux is 6-0 (4KO) in his last six fights vs. opponents of a combined record of 131-27-2.

Golovkin is 6-0 (6KO) in his last six fights vs. opponents of a combined record of 184-16-2.

If we look at the last six fights, it’s very clear that GGG has fought the better opposition although only two had good power but limited boxing. Lemieux falls into that category of GGG opponents the ones with good power and less boxing skills. Lemieux unlike the others might have the momentum and force to equally match GGG early on from rounds 1 to 3 but then will likely fade and be TKO’d. GGG is a better-balanced boxer and should be in position to land the better power combinations. If Lemieux has, a shot to win it will have to be within the first three rounds by working on GGG’s body early and going for that KO. If Lemieux lands flush, we’ll see if GGG can take a shot and remain standing.

Lemieux 29 KOs in the first 6 rounds, 27 KOs in the first three rounds, and only 2 KOs from round 7 to the twelve.

GGG has 24 KOs in the first 6 rounds, 17 KOs in the first 3 rounds, and 6 KOs from round 7 to the 12.

I will be shocked if this fight goes 12 rounds there’s too much power in both boxer’s and one already been TKO’d. Again, can Lemieux upset via KO or TKO? Yes, anything can happen when a slugger as Lemieux has the power and one good shot can change a fight. We do know GGG can walk down boxers with little KO power and those with power in their records like Rubio and Stevens. That’s why I believe Lemieux power wouldn’t be enough to stop GGG’s momentum for 12 round. He just doesn’t possess the work rate and foot work to displace GGG.

Lemieux must win within rounds one and three, in my opinion, that’s the only opportunity, which I see Lemieux matching GGG’s momentum.