GGG Lemieux - anyone watching? (spoiler)

[Wales]

Absolute boxing lesson from GGG in first 2 rounds.... Showing his class here

[Wales]

Great body shot to put Lemieux over, lucky not to get a DQ for hitting when he was down though.

[milpool]

Another awesome display by GGG. Never thought Lemieux would win but he was systematically dismantled by a fighter on a different level.
It's mouthwatering to think of the potential fights out there for Golovkin.

[Wales]

Is it? I think there's only Ward that has a sniff of a chance against him. Everyone else from 154-168 gets beat handily - the winner of Cotto canelo included.

[crusader]

GGG gave his best performance in a while in my opinion. He seemed more cautious than normal and I think he fought better as a result, looking like a complete fighter rather than a slugger who will take shots to give them because he knows his opponents are unlikely to hurt him.

[handsofstone]

Golovkin clearly more measured against Lemieux,a reminder of what a masterful boxer he is,it was a total mismatch as soon as the 1st bell rang,

Gonzalez was sublime again

[Wales]

a reminder of what a masterful boxer he is

Very true - outstanding amateur career (350-5?) - but all anyone often talks about is his freakish power

[Deserter]

Was the first time in a long time I was able to watch a big fight (work commitments) and a special thanks to those posters who helped me out

Some random thoughts on the main event from my side:

GGG - so many people understandably focus on his power, but what I loved most in this fight was his economy of movement and shot selection. That jab was a thing of beauty, but the way he controlled the distance with Lemieux was something else (especially when he wasnt even throwing). His economy and utter composure in the ring reminded me somewhat of a prime Donald Curry, though he's more of a 'thudding' puncher rather than a sharp one like Curry - you get the impression that much like Kovalev, everything GGG lands does damage. He turned a fight against a rival world titlist with dangerous power into a man vs boy sparring session and reminded everyone that he's perfectly capable of boxing when he has to.

Rawling/Jones - Rawling was just terrible, with a number of ridiculous comments, but it's the first time I've heard Jones as a commentator and thought that by contrast he was fantastic in terms of his analysis.

Lemieux - while the poor guy was clearly deluded in thinking the fight was close and wanting a rematch, he really won me over with his heart and commitment. While I understand the stoppage, I do think the ref should have let him go on longer - if he was going to go out, he clearly wanted to go out on his shield, like a warrior, as was his right at this level.

The future - while GGG isn't getting any younger, his economic style and the fact he's taking so little punishment makes me think there are a good few years in him yet. I'd take him to stop Cotto and clearly outbox Alvarez for a wide UD based on that showing. Lara could give him a few problems, but I see him gradually taking over in that one to secure a clear UD or late stoppage. I'm actually more than happy for him to stay at Middleweight and build his legacy. He's clearly comfortable at the weight so don't think he should be pressurised into stepping up just for the sake of it - let him become the Hagler or Monzon of our time

[Ian1973]

Was the first time in a long time I was able to watch a big fight (work commitments) and a special thanks to those posters who helped me out

Some random thoughts on the main event from my side:

GGG - so many people understandably focus on his power, but what I loved most in this fight was his economy of movement and shot selection. That jab was a thing of beauty, but the way he controlled the distance with Lemieux was something else (especially when he wasnt even throwing). His economy and utter composure in the ring reminded me somewhat of a prime Donald Curry, though he's more of a 'thudding' puncher rather than a sharp one like Curry - you get the impression that much like Kovalev, everything GGG lands does damage. He turned a fight against a rival world titlist with dangerous power into a man vs boy sparring session and reminded everyone that he's perfectly capable of boxing when he has to.

Rawling/Jones - Rawling was just terrible, with a number of ridiculous comments, but it's the first time I've heard Jones as a commentator and thought that by contrast he was fantastic in terms of his analysis.

Lemieux - while the poor guy was clearly deluded in thinking the fight was close and wanting a rematch, he really won me over with his heart and commitment. While I understand the stoppage, I do think the ref should have let him go on longer - if he was going to go out, he clearly wanted to go out on his shield, like a warrior, as was his right at this level.

The future - while GGG isn't getting any younger, his economic style and the fact he's taking so little punishment makes me think there are a good few years in him yet. I'd take him to stop Cotto and clearly outbox Alvarez for a wide UD based on that showing. Lara could give him a few problems, but I see him gradually taking over in that one to secure a clear UD or late stoppage. I'm actually more than happy for him to stay at Middleweight and build his legacy. He's clearly comfortable at the weight so don't think he should be pressurised into stepping up just for the sake of it - let him become the Hagler or Monzon of our time

Terrific post. I agree with all of that.

Barry Jones deserves a better commentator to work with.

[rossco3343]

Just watched the fight, terrific from GGG, his brain and footwork are outstanding allowing the punches to take care themselves.

Distance control is second to none and just moved Lemieux (and every other opponent) where he wanted him to go....mainly into his traps!!

Outstanding stuff

[Nightmare Roy]

That was an amazing performance,too good, cotto or Alvarez are not going to want anything to do with him I think.

[Loftgroov]

Superb performance from GGG.

Really disappointed in Lemieux though, based on what he's shown before. He showed terrific heart to keep going but was never at the races from the off.

[Ian1973]

Superb performance from GGG.

Really disappointed in Lemieux though, based on what he's shown before. He showed terrific heart to keep going but was never at the races from the off.

He wasn't allowed to be. Every time he threw Golovkin took a step back and made him miss. If Lemieux got closer the jab ramrodded his face. Masterclass from Golovkin.

[Deserter]

Superb performance from GGG.

Really disappointed in Lemieux though, based on what he's shown before. He showed terrific heart to keep going but was never at the races from the off.

He wasn't allowed to be. Every time he threw Golovkin took a step back and made him miss. If Lemieux got closer the jab ramrodded his face. Masterclass from Golovkin.

Exactly.

[Boxerbeetle]

Lemieux was outclassed, as I think everyone outside of Canada was expecting. The Cotto/Canelo winner won't go anywhere near GGG (especially Cotto).

[Stuarty]

Is it? I think there's only Ward that has a sniff of a chance against him. Everyone else from 154-168 gets beat handily - the winner of Cotto canelo included.

Agree. Ward has the skill and toughness needed to hang in. Would love to see GGG dismantle him but I would favour Ward.

[ALI]

One more fight and he turns 34, the clock is ticking on his career. Its such a shame the middleweight division sucks right now as i'd like to see Golovkin remain at his natural fighting weight, but as it does suck and he has been unable to secure any notable challenges for way to long now, he really must move up. Its cotto/alvarez next if they will go for it, then it simply has to be 168, otherwise time will simply run out on one of boxings best talents in years without him ever really fighting anyone of real note.

[Datsue]

Lemieux entered into "the silent contract" of "please let me last as long as possible & I'll do my best to look like I'm trying without actually trying to win" about ten seconds into the first round.

Fantastic performance from GGG but Lemieux was terribly poor, imo.

Brian Viloria, OTOH, deserves a fuckin' medal. What a fuckin' boy he is. & what a war he & Gonzalez engaged in, really totally high-class stuff. The Filipino/Hawaiian/whatever he is threw bombs all night, didn't stop trying no matter what, had a game plan that he stuck too, tried to do different stuff when it wasn't working, & got the ever-living shite kicked out of him by a dude who fights like JCC Superstar inside but throws combos like a young Juan Manuel Marquez.

GGG=

Brian Viloria=


Román Gonzalez=

[Counter-puncher]

[handsofstone]

Taking nothing away from Golovkin who was back to his absolute best,taking no silly shots for the sake of it,i was dissapointed in Lemieux,he never gave it a real go and im sure he'll be filled with some regrets when he wakes up today,i dont think he had anything but a punchers chance against Gennady anyhow but he was never gonna outbox him so he should've threw caution to the wind a bit more,the punch after the bell was bit naughty and Golovkin was lucky not to be deducted a point or 2,Lemieux did shows bravery and seeing as it was a world title unification fight i would have liked to have seen David get a bit longer but he didnt complain too much mind

Golovkin shot selection is a sight to behold though,along with the timing and accuracy he was utterly dominant every second of that fight

Gonzalez-Viloria was a great fight too,Roman took a couple rounds to get going,just eying Brian up but once he let his hands go it was pure poetry,variety sublime,foot movement was beautiful,he has every punch in the book,Viloria played his part too and actually boxed quite well but he was outclassed and had no answer for Gonzalez's punches,he showed massive heart though and wouldnt have blamed him for quitting such was the accuracy and power of Gonzalez

[taffytoon]

What channel was the fight on?

[Boxerbeetle]

What channel was the fight on?

The Channel of Champions, naturally.

[Datsue]

Taking nothing away from Golovkin who was back to his absolute best,taking no silly shots for the sake of it,i was dissapointed in Lemieux,he never gave it a real go and im sure he'll be filled with some regrets when he wakes up today,i dont think he had anything but a punchers chance against Gennady anyhow but he was never gonna outbox him so he should've threw caution to the wind a bit more,the punch after the bell was bit naughty and Golovkin was lucky not to be deducted a point or 2,Lemieux did shows bravery and seeing as it was a world title unification fight i would have liked to have seen David get a bit longer but he didnt complain too much mind

Golovkin shot selection is a sight to behold though,along with the timing and accuracy he was utterly dominant every second of that fight

Gonzalez-Viloria was a great fight too,Roman took a couple rounds to get going,just eying Brian up but once he let his hands go it was pure poetry,variety sublime,foot movement was beautiful,he has every punch in the book,Viloria played his part too and actually boxed quite well but he was outclassed and had no answer for Gonzalez's punches,he showed massive heart though and wouldnt have blamed him for quitting such was the accuracy and power of Gonzalez

Also, when was the last time the best boxer in the world had the logo of the Sandinistas on the back of his shorts & the logo of the Zapatistas on the front?

[Ricky_]

Disappointing to see Golovkin carry Lemiuex. Hate that garbage.

[milpool]

Is it? I think there's only Ward that has a sniff of a chance against him. Everyone else from 154-168 gets beat handily - the winner of Cotto canelo included.

The Cotto/Canelo winner and Andre Ward would definitely get my juices flowing. I'd even get mildly excited with Andy Lee and Erislandy Lara.
He beats Cotto, Lee and Lara but Ward and Canelo would be a couple of great contests that I'd love to see.