By Luke Furman
WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is very confident that he can defeat former IBF king David Lemieux decisively.
Saunders (25-0, 12 KOs) vs. Lemieux (38-3, 33 KOs) takes place on December 16th Bell Place in Montreal and headlines an HBO televised card.
There are many who view Saunders as the underdog against the very dangerous puncher.
Saunders is not overly impressed with the skills of Lemieux. He believes that he can easily defeat the Canadian puncher, but at the same time Saunders respects the dangerous power in Lemieux's fists.
He vows to prevent Lemieux from being able to land a fight with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez. Both Lemieux and Canelo are promoted by Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions.
"David Lemieux is an eight-round boxer," said Saunders to The Montreal Journal.
"He is not good enough to be part of the elite of our division. He climbed to the top, but he failed. He knows he has to win our fight to get back [to the top], but it will not happen. Just like Oscar De La Hoya's plan to organize a fight between him and Canelo Alvarez."
"David is a big slugger and I have no doubts about it. He's going to go for the knockout from the first to the twelfth round against me. However, boxing is not just about power. I've already been able to frustrate big hitters like him with my speed. Lemieux has never fought back and that's what he will learn on December 16. If he thinks he's going to run after me for twelve rounds, he's wrong. I'll wait for him at the center of the ring. "
"I am aware of what can happen, but I am excellent in the art of measuring my distance with my opponent. I know that Lemieux loves boxing at close range. In addition, he has not faced left-handed for four years and that could be a factor. As a champion, you must trust your means, but also have a dose of fear. It keeps you on the alert. If you do not have [as dose of fear], it can hurt you. That's what can allow you to dodge a power punch."
2023-10-20 02:33:04
