Lemieux Admits He Passed on Saunders, Has Eyes Set on Cotto

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Lemieux (38-3, 33 KOs) can finally return to the gym. He got the green light from his doctors to resume training.

He was taking time off to fully heal a tear in one shoulder and a left hand injury that was sustained in his last fight, a ten round unanimous decision over Marcos Reyes.

He now plans to take the necessary time to get back in shape so that he's ready for a real challenge.

Lemieux believes that he made a big mistake by have two fights within a two month period with back to back training camps.

"I have learned that I can not do fights that close together at this stage in my career," Lemiuex said to TVA Sports.

At 28, he has already delivered 41 professional fights. The slugger has long lived with hand injuries, but now he tries to protect them better.

"When I went to see my doctor a year and a half ago, he looked at my hands and said - 'David, you have the hands of a man aged 70-80.'

Despite the risks of the trade, the Quebecer does not count to slow down.

The Canadian puncher has other plans in mind.

"I really wanted to fight [Saunders], but the timing is not good for me because we are aiming for a bigger fight and the risks are high," Lemieux said.

The big fight has a name: Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs). This is Lemieux's top target.

Lemieux plans to be ringside in Los Angeles on August 26th at the StubHub Center, to watch Cotto fight Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title. Cotto recently signed a multi-fight deal with Golden Boy Promotions, who also handle Lemieux.

[Badhusker]

If he does get Cotto, which is doubtful, Cotto will demand that he drain to 152 or 153...maybe a pound or two up. No way does Cotto fight him at 160. Is Lemieux cashing out?

[Ruthless-RKO]

If he does get Cotto, which is doubtful, Cotto will demand that he drain to 152 or 153...maybe a pound or two up. No way does Cotto fight him at 160. Is Lemieux cashing out?

Lemieux isn't even trusted to make 160, some of his fights, he has at 163 pounds.

I don't think he'll be cashing out, he's 29 years old. Probably wants a big money fight.

[Enlightened-One]

Since the start of 2016, Saunders has had failed negotiations/fights fallen through with the likes of Canelo Alvarez (twice), Gennady Golovkin (twice) Avtandil Khurtsidze, Gabriel Rosado, Chris Eubank Jr. and now David Lemieux has announced that he is disinterested in facing the WBO champion, due to having bigger fish to fry.

Based on my analysis of the readily-available real-world evidence, none of these situations were caused by Saunders or his team.

Yet you guys insist on criticising the calibre of opposition that Billy Joe Saunders has faced?

[Mexi-Box]

I have huge doubts Cotto takes that fight without a catchweight, and absolutely no way does Lemieux come in healthy at anything less than 160 lbs. The guy barely makes 160 lbs., he's not making 158 lbs. without cutting off some body parts.

[northern]

Lemieux vs Cotto, it's a fight i'd love to see.

Neither man backs down and should both come in ready to fight and at or near 100% then it'll be an explosive match and I have to admit i'd be favouring Lemieux to win and hopefully set up a re-match with Golovkin or a big fight with Alvarez
But at the same time I wouldn't say no to seeing Cotto finish his career against either of the two so win or lose for either man in both fights could make a very good winner vs winner match afterwards.