Fight: Gennady Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) vs. David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs)
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Date: October 17, 2015
Weight class: Middleweight (160 lbs)
Title(s) on the line: IBF World, IBO World, WBA Super World, and interim WBC World Middleweight titles
TV: HBO PPV
Line: Golovkin -1575, Lemieux +1250 (5 Dimes, 10/17/15)
Purse: Golovkin: $2 million, Lemieux: $1.5 million
Ring Magazine Rankings: Golovkin: #4 ranked pound-for-pound, #1 ranked middleweight, Lemieux: #4 ranked middleweight
Style: Golovkin: Orthodox, Lemieux: Orthodox
Referee: Steve Willis
Positives for Golovkin
Negatives for Golovkin
Positives for Lemieux
Negatives for Lemieux
Summary/Prediction
Positives for Golovkin
- Current Ring Magazine #4 middleweight and reigning WBA Super and IBO middleweight champion. Undefeated at 33-0 and, with 30 KOs in 33 fights, holds the highest knockout percentage (90.9%) in middleweight history. Has won his last 20 fights by TKO/KO, the most recent 14 of which were middleweight title defenses. Named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 2013 after four impressive KO victories that year.
- Offensively gifted boxer who possesses elite KO power in both hands. Golovkin's 90.9% KO percentage (30 KOs in 33 fights) ranks first among all active current and former champions and ranks second overall in championship history. Often generates his power from wide, looping punches thrown from unorthodox angles (which have the dual effect of providing extra leverage on his punches and increasing his unpredictability). Has the potential to go down as one of the great power punchers in the history of the sport.
- Intelligent pressure fighter who is excellent at using footwork to cut off the ring. Controls distance extremely well and has superb punch timing. Despite being a pressure fighter, Golovkin is also a very patient, efficient boxer who tends not to waste punches.
- Mostly known for his outstanding power but is a technically savvy fighter with underrated boxing skill. Golovkin does not have great hand speed but makes up for it with an outstanding jab and methodical, accurate combination punching. Golovkin lands more jabs per round than any other CompuBox-tracked fighter, and other than ultra-aggressive super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz, Golovkin lands more overall punches per round than any other CompuBox-tracked fighter.
- Possesses an excellent chin. Golovkin has never been knocked down or knocked out in 383 fights as an amateur and pro.
- Has an impressive amateur pedigree, with 345 wins (including wins vs. Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute, and Andy Lee) against only 5 losses. Won a silver medal medal for his native Kazakhstan in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
- Trains with Abel Sanchez, a very underrated trainer who has trained numerous former champions including Terry Norris, Olin Norris, Carlos Baldomir, and Samuel Peter.
- Will be fighting his fourth fight in nearly three years at Madison Square Garden in New York City. As one of the most popular fighters in the sport with a fan-friendly style, the crowd at Madison Square Garden is expected to be overwhelmingly pro-Golovkin.
- Current Ring Magazine #4 middleweight and reigning WBA Super and IBO middleweight champion. Undefeated at 33-0 and, with 30 KOs in 33 fights, holds the highest knockout percentage (90.9%) in middleweight history. Has won his last 20 fights by TKO/KO, the most recent 14 of which were middleweight title defenses. Named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 2013 after four impressive KO victories that year.
- Offensively gifted boxer who possesses elite KO power in both hands. Golovkin's 90.9% KO percentage (30 KOs in 33 fights) ranks first among all active current and former champions and ranks second overall in championship history. Often generates his power from wide, looping punches thrown from unorthodox angles (which have the dual effect of providing extra leverage on his punches and increasing his unpredictability). Has the potential to go down as one of the great power punchers in the history of the sport.
- Intelligent pressure fighter who is excellent at using footwork to cut off the ring. Controls distance extremely well and has superb punch timing. Despite being a pressure fighter, Golovkin is also a very patient, efficient boxer who tends not to waste punches.
- Mostly known for his outstanding power but is a technically savvy fighter with underrated boxing skill. Golovkin does not have great hand speed but makes up for it with an outstanding jab and methodical, accurate combination punching. Golovkin lands more jabs per round than any other CompuBox-tracked fighter, and other than ultra-aggressive super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz, Golovkin lands more overall punches per round than any other CompuBox-tracked fighter.
- Possesses an excellent chin. Golovkin has never been knocked down or knocked out in 383 fights as an amateur and pro.
- Has an impressive amateur pedigree, with 345 wins (including wins vs. Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute, and Andy Lee) against only 5 losses. Won a silver medal medal for his native Kazakhstan in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
- Trains with Abel Sanchez, a very underrated trainer who has trained numerous former champions including Terry Norris, Olin Norris, Carlos Baldomir, and Samuel Peter.
- Will be fighting his fourth fight in nearly three years at Madison Square Garden in New York City. As one of the most popular fighters in the sport with a fan-friendly style, the crowd at Madison Square Garden is expected to be overwhelmingly pro-Golovkin.
Negatives for Golovkin
- Golovkin is fighting likely his toughest opponent to date in Lemieux, a younger fighter who may actually be naturally stronger than Golovkin. Golovkin has never fought a true top-tier talent and is untested vs. Lemieux's combination of power and skill.
- Does Golovkin have the stamina to fight effectively in later rounds? Out of 33 professional fights, Golovkin has only gone to the 10th round twice in his career and only fought past the 6th round seven other times.
- While applying pressure vs. his opponents, Golovkin sometimes has shown susceptibility to getting caught with clean counter punches (was caught a few times in his last fight vs. Willie Monroe Jr. and most notably in the 3rd round of his fight vs. July 2014 fight vs. Geale right before knocking him out). Golovkin has a great chin but often focuses more on offense than protecting himself defensively, so at times is open to be hit when he drops his guard. Lemieux is widely considered one of the most dangerous power punchers in the sport and will likely be looking to knock Golovkin out; an upset TKO/KO victory is a very realistic possibility if he can land even one power shot cleanly.
- Golovkin is being promoted as possibly the next big star in boxing but he is 33 years old (over six years younger than Lemieux) and likely is towards the end of the prime of his career.
- Though known as a pressure fighter, Golovkin is sometimes cautious in the first couple of rounds while adjusting to his opponent's style. By contrast, Lemieux is generally a very fast starter; Lemieux may be able to gain some initial momentum (and perhaps even win the fight early) by jumping on Golovkin from the opening bell.
- Is not quite as good a boxer fighting inside as he is from distance, as shown at times in his January 2013 fight vs. Gabriel Rosado and early in his fight vs. Geale. If the highly aggressive, wild-swinging Lemieux can get inside and turn the fight into a brawl he may have a chance of making the fight competitive.
- While highly accurate and efficient, Golovkin does not possess great speed or quickness, though he will have a slight advantage in both areas vs. Lemieux.
- Golovkin is fighting likely his toughest opponent to date in Lemieux, a younger fighter who may actually be naturally stronger than Golovkin. Golovkin has never fought a true top-tier talent and is untested vs. Lemieux's combination of power and skill.
- Does Golovkin have the stamina to fight effectively in later rounds? Out of 33 professional fights, Golovkin has only gone to the 10th round twice in his career and only fought past the 6th round seven other times.
- While applying pressure vs. his opponents, Golovkin sometimes has shown susceptibility to getting caught with clean counter punches (was caught a few times in his last fight vs. Willie Monroe Jr. and most notably in the 3rd round of his fight vs. July 2014 fight vs. Geale right before knocking him out). Golovkin has a great chin but often focuses more on offense than protecting himself defensively, so at times is open to be hit when he drops his guard. Lemieux is widely considered one of the most dangerous power punchers in the sport and will likely be looking to knock Golovkin out; an upset TKO/KO victory is a very realistic possibility if he can land even one power shot cleanly.
- Golovkin is being promoted as possibly the next big star in boxing but he is 33 years old (over six years younger than Lemieux) and likely is towards the end of the prime of his career.
- Though known as a pressure fighter, Golovkin is sometimes cautious in the first couple of rounds while adjusting to his opponent's style. By contrast, Lemieux is generally a very fast starter; Lemieux may be able to gain some initial momentum (and perhaps even win the fight early) by jumping on Golovkin from the opening bell.
- Is not quite as good a boxer fighting inside as he is from distance, as shown at times in his January 2013 fight vs. Gabriel Rosado and early in his fight vs. Geale. If the highly aggressive, wild-swinging Lemieux can get inside and turn the fight into a brawl he may have a chance of making the fight competitive.
- While highly accurate and efficient, Golovkin does not possess great speed or quickness, though he will have a slight advantage in both areas vs. Lemieux.
Positives for Lemieux
- Current IBF World middleweight champion. Explosive puncher with legitimate KO power in both hands. Is widely considered one of the best power punchers in the sport, with 31 out of his 34 victories coming via TKO/KO; Lemieux's 86.1% KO ratio is among the highest in boxing. Overall, Lemieux is one of the best offensive fighters in the sport and will always have at least a puncher's chance vs. any opponent.
- Relentless, aggressive puncher who fully commits to most power punches. Despite some wild swinging at times, actually tends to be an accurate puncher with underrated boxing skills. Can generate power both from distance and on the inside (largely due to superior lower body strength) and is a strong finisher once he has his opponent in trouble.
- Is currently in the prime of his career and appears to have improved (particularly on the defensive end) since losing two consecutive fights in 2011 (the only two losses of his career). Since 2011, Lemieux has won nine straight fights - seven by TKO and the other two by wide unanimous decision. Lemieux was only 22 years old when he suffered the only losses of his career; he has matured and gained experience vs. solid competition since then.
- At 26, Lemieux is the younger fighter by several (over six) years and is arguably naturally stronger than Golovkin. (Golovkin has never faced an opponent with comparable power to his own.) Lemieux is also typically a fast starter who was way ahead early even in his two losses back in 2011; if Lemieux can establish early momentum vs. Golovkin (who is sometimes cautious in the very early rounds), that may be enough to set the stage for an upset TKO/KO victory.
- Lemieux is a mobile fighter with decent foot speed and quickness; will likely be able to evade Golovkin's attack in spots.
- Tough, courageous fighter as evidenced by the fact he is one of very few top middleweights actually willing to fight Golovkin.
- Current IBF World middleweight champion. Explosive puncher with legitimate KO power in both hands. Is widely considered one of the best power punchers in the sport, with 31 out of his 34 victories coming via TKO/KO; Lemieux's 86.1% KO ratio is among the highest in boxing. Overall, Lemieux is one of the best offensive fighters in the sport and will always have at least a puncher's chance vs. any opponent.
- Relentless, aggressive puncher who fully commits to most power punches. Despite some wild swinging at times, actually tends to be an accurate puncher with underrated boxing skills. Can generate power both from distance and on the inside (largely due to superior lower body strength) and is a strong finisher once he has his opponent in trouble.
- Is currently in the prime of his career and appears to have improved (particularly on the defensive end) since losing two consecutive fights in 2011 (the only two losses of his career). Since 2011, Lemieux has won nine straight fights - seven by TKO and the other two by wide unanimous decision. Lemieux was only 22 years old when he suffered the only losses of his career; he has matured and gained experience vs. solid competition since then.
- At 26, Lemieux is the younger fighter by several (over six) years and is arguably naturally stronger than Golovkin. (Golovkin has never faced an opponent with comparable power to his own.) Lemieux is also typically a fast starter who was way ahead early even in his two losses back in 2011; if Lemieux can establish early momentum vs. Golovkin (who is sometimes cautious in the very early rounds), that may be enough to set the stage for an upset TKO/KO victory.
- Lemieux is a mobile fighter with decent foot speed and quickness; will likely be able to evade Golovkin's attack in spots.
- Tough, courageous fighter as evidenced by the fact he is one of very few top middleweights actually willing to fight Golovkin.
Negatives for Lemieux
- Lemieux does have two losses in his career - consecutive losses in his hometown of Montreal vs. opponents who entered the fights as substantial underdogs. Lemieux's first loss was an April 2011 7th-round TKO loss to Marco Antonio Rubio (who Golovkin easily defeated last year by 2nd-round KO); his second loss was in December 2011 to Joachim Alcine, who after beating Lemieux would go on to lose his next five fights.
- Lemieux has shown questionable stamina in previous fights, in particular his two losses where he was worn down in middle and later rounds after jumping out to strong starts. Lemieux has a history of overexpending energy with his aggressive, haymaker style in the early rounds only to tire in later rounds. If Golovkin - who is widely considered to have one of the best chins in boxing (as he has never been knocked down or knocked out in 383 professional and amateur fights) - can withstand Lemieux's attack through the first half of the fight, the second half of the fight could be relatively easy for him; despite Lemieux's high KO% he only has one victory by TKO/KO in his career after the 7th round.
- Although an underrated boxer, is inferior to Golovkin in terms of boxing skill and IQ. Has a straightforward, somewhat predictable boxing style and generally doesn't make too many adjustments over the course of a fight; one would expect Golovkin to eventually find holes in Lemieux's at times overaggressive, wild-swinging style.
- Although seemingly improved over the past 3-4 years, Lemieux is still defensively flawed with a questionable chin. As a come-forward pressure fighter, he will at times leave himself open to clean counterpunching, which could be disastrous vs. arguably the best puncher in the sport in Golovkin. Lemieux was knocked down and suffered a TKO loss (via corner throwing in the towel) vs. Rubio; Golovkin is a more skilled boxer than Rubio and certainly possesses the power to look more dominant vs. Lemieux than Rubio did.
- Lemieux does have two losses in his career - consecutive losses in his hometown of Montreal vs. opponents who entered the fights as substantial underdogs. Lemieux's first loss was an April 2011 7th-round TKO loss to Marco Antonio Rubio (who Golovkin easily defeated last year by 2nd-round KO); his second loss was in December 2011 to Joachim Alcine, who after beating Lemieux would go on to lose his next five fights.
- Lemieux has shown questionable stamina in previous fights, in particular his two losses where he was worn down in middle and later rounds after jumping out to strong starts. Lemieux has a history of overexpending energy with his aggressive, haymaker style in the early rounds only to tire in later rounds. If Golovkin - who is widely considered to have one of the best chins in boxing (as he has never been knocked down or knocked out in 383 professional and amateur fights) - can withstand Lemieux's attack through the first half of the fight, the second half of the fight could be relatively easy for him; despite Lemieux's high KO% he only has one victory by TKO/KO in his career after the 7th round.
- Although an underrated boxer, is inferior to Golovkin in terms of boxing skill and IQ. Has a straightforward, somewhat predictable boxing style and generally doesn't make too many adjustments over the course of a fight; one would expect Golovkin to eventually find holes in Lemieux's at times overaggressive, wild-swinging style.
- Although seemingly improved over the past 3-4 years, Lemieux is still defensively flawed with a questionable chin. As a come-forward pressure fighter, he will at times leave himself open to clean counterpunching, which could be disastrous vs. arguably the best puncher in the sport in Golovkin. Lemieux was knocked down and suffered a TKO loss (via corner throwing in the towel) vs. Rubio; Golovkin is a more skilled boxer than Rubio and certainly possesses the power to look more dominant vs. Lemieux than Rubio did.
Tonight's Golovkin vs. Lemieux fight is intriguing as, on one hand, most think this fight is basically a mismatch that Lemieux has very little chance of winning yet, on the other hand, many of those same people think this will be a a can't miss, back-and-forth slugfest.
If the latter is true, then certainly Lemieux has a very realistic puncher's chance to win. Statistically, Lemieux is right up there with Golovkin as one of the top pound-for-pound punchers in the sport; Lemieux will have multiple opportunities to counter Golovkin's "Mexican style" attack with his patented haymakers. If any one of his power punches lands cleanly, even a seemingly "concrete" chin such as Golovkin's could succumb to Lemieux's power. (The fact of the matter is, Golovkin's chin has never been tested vs. a boxer with Lemieux's combination of skill, speed, and devastating power so we really don't know how his chin will hold up when truly tested.) Lemieux is the younger, arguably naturally stronger fighter in the prime of his career who has won his last nine fights and - unlike most other top middleweights - was confident enough to take the fight vs.Golovkin.
If this fight turns into the slugfest many think it will be then Lemieux - one of the elite sluggers in boxing - no doubt has at least a puncher's chance to win.
But, at the end of the day, what we have here is a boxing match (not the "street fight" Golovkin has stated he will happily be willing to engage in) and the disparity in boxing skills is why Golovkin should be the clear favorite to win.
Both boxers are aggressive pressure fighters but I like Golovkin's cautious aggressiveness to dictate this matchup. Golovkin will be more willing to wait for spots where he can exploit Lemieux's at times wild-swinging overaggressiveness with well-timed counters. Golovkin also has superior balance and footwork that will likely enable him to stay on his feet during the inevitable exchange of punches between the two heavy-handed boxers. Although Golovkin's chin has never been tested by anyone with Lemieux's power, the fact that Golovkin has never even come close to being knocked down or out in 383 amateur and professional fights is certainly strong evidence that his chin is legit.
Lemieux may very well succeed in jumping on Golovkin and landing some punches early, but it's difficult to overlook the fact that he has lost to and been forced to quit vs. boxers with far less skill than Golovkin; I very much expect that he'll be forced to quit again in the early to middle rounds of tonight's fight vs. a boxer in Golovkin who may be well on his way to becoming one of the all-time great middleweights in boxing history.
If the latter is true, then certainly Lemieux has a very realistic puncher's chance to win. Statistically, Lemieux is right up there with Golovkin as one of the top pound-for-pound punchers in the sport; Lemieux will have multiple opportunities to counter Golovkin's "Mexican style" attack with his patented haymakers. If any one of his power punches lands cleanly, even a seemingly "concrete" chin such as Golovkin's could succumb to Lemieux's power. (The fact of the matter is, Golovkin's chin has never been tested vs. a boxer with Lemieux's combination of skill, speed, and devastating power so we really don't know how his chin will hold up when truly tested.) Lemieux is the younger, arguably naturally stronger fighter in the prime of his career who has won his last nine fights and - unlike most other top middleweights - was confident enough to take the fight vs.Golovkin.
If this fight turns into the slugfest many think it will be then Lemieux - one of the elite sluggers in boxing - no doubt has at least a puncher's chance to win.
But, at the end of the day, what we have here is a boxing match (not the "street fight" Golovkin has stated he will happily be willing to engage in) and the disparity in boxing skills is why Golovkin should be the clear favorite to win.
Both boxers are aggressive pressure fighters but I like Golovkin's cautious aggressiveness to dictate this matchup. Golovkin will be more willing to wait for spots where he can exploit Lemieux's at times wild-swinging overaggressiveness with well-timed counters. Golovkin also has superior balance and footwork that will likely enable him to stay on his feet during the inevitable exchange of punches between the two heavy-handed boxers. Although Golovkin's chin has never been tested by anyone with Lemieux's power, the fact that Golovkin has never even come close to being knocked down or out in 383 amateur and professional fights is certainly strong evidence that his chin is legit.
Lemieux may very well succeed in jumping on Golovkin and landing some punches early, but it's difficult to overlook the fact that he has lost to and been forced to quit vs. boxers with far less skill than Golovkin; I very much expect that he'll be forced to quit again in the early to middle rounds of tonight's fight vs. a boxer in Golovkin who may be well on his way to becoming one of the all-time great middleweights in boxing history.
Prediction: Golovkin by TKO/KO (2 units)
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