David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux | Showtime - May 21, 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez-David Lemieux set for spring bout at 168 pounds, source says

David Benavidez and David Lemieux have signed contracts for a 168-pound bout slated for springtime on Showtime, a source told ESPN, an event that likely will land in Benavidez's native Phoenix.

The battle of former champions could move Benavidez one step closer to a shot at Canelo Alvarez.

The volume-punching Benavidez, ESPN's No. 2 super middleweight, has twice held a 168-pound title and has never lost it in the ring. Instead, the 25-year-old was stripped once after testing positive for cocaine and a second time after failing to make weight.

Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) was slated to face Jose Uzcategui last month but the fight was scrapped after Uzcategui tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Kyrone Davis stepped in on short notice and was stopped in the seventh round by Benavidez.

Lemieux (43-4, 35 KOs) promises to offer far more resistance.

The former middleweight champion is 3-0 since moving to 168 pounds and is ranked No. 8 by ESPN, but he has yet to fight anyone approaching the top 10. Now, the 32-year-old will be installed as an underdog against Benavidez in what shapes up as an all-action fight.

The Montreal native was one of the biggest punchers in boxing when he campaigned at 160 pounds. That includes a spectacular KO of Curtis Stevens in 2017. During that middleweight run, he also scored a stoppage victory over Gabe Rosado but suffered a one-sided TKO loss to Gennady Golovkin and a comprehensive decision defeat to Billy Joe Saunders.

[ironbeard]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

[KiwiRider]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

I actually think it will be an easy night for Bena. Not like the BJS fight, but Lemmy is gonna eat jabs and get pounded on the way into range all night. He might be only 32, but I feel he is on the slide through high milage.
Here is a one minute clip of his last fight leading up to the KD and KO.
You can see him plodding with his feet and no crispness to his shots, along with inaccuracy. All this against a guy he is basically teeing off on.
Benavidez will make mincemeat of his face and stop him.

[ironbeard]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

I actually think it will be an easy night for Bena. Not like the BJS fight, but Lemmy is gonna eat jabs and get pounded on the way into range all night. He might be only 32, but I feel he is on the slide through high milage.
Here is a one minute clip of his last fight leading up to the KD and KO.
You can see him plodding with his feet and no crispness to his shots, along with inaccuracy. All this against a guy he is basically teeing off on.
Benavidez will make mincemeat of his face and stop him.

I understand and see your point, but David still has fight changing power.

That said, I agree with you that Benavidez should pound him out of there mid to late fight, and that it is less than an exciting match.

[margaret thatcher]

easy work benavidez, lem was lucky to get a win over max bursak ffs, aint nothing much at smw

[ironbeard]

easy work benavidez, lem was lucky to get a win over max bursak ffs, aint nothing much at smw

Certainly NOT Charlo, Andrade, Smith Jr, Bivol, Beterbiev, Callum, nor the golden Mexican calf eating child.

[KiwiRider]

easy work benavidez, lem was lucky to get a win over max bursak ffs, aint nothing much at smw

Certainly NOT Charlo, Andrade, Smith Jr, Bivol, Beterbiev, Callum, nor the golden Mexican calf eating child.

It avoids all of the above.
I mean, what are they waiting for with him?
Lemieux would have been a good opponent 3 years ago, not now.

[Perseus]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

Lol.
Dangerous to who?

Actual results prove he is not and never was a danger to any elite boxer.

[margaret thatcher]

lem was a good b level mw like 6 years ago

in 2022, at smw, i dont expect him to do much at all

[ironbeard]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

Lol.
Dangerous to who?

Actual results prove he is not and never was a danger to any elite boxer.

36 stoppages in 43 fights makes him dangerous, especially early. While it is true that he has not defeated a top level opponent, he is a seasoned pro with dangerous pop. Any fighter underestimates him at his peril.

Just because Benavidez should win this comfortably does not mean Benavidez can cakewalk it.

[Perseus]

No it doesn't.
It tells us he can knockout tomato cans, club fighters and C level boxers.
Beating Lemieux does not and never did require an elite boxer in the other corner.
Marco Antonio Rubio and a faded version of Joacim Alcine were too much for Mario.

[ironbeard]

No it doesn't.
It tells us he can knockout tomato cans, club fighters and C level boxers.
Beating Lemieux does not and never did require an elite boxer in the other corner.
Marco Antonio Rubio and a faded version of Joacim Alcine were too much for Mario.

Lemieux has had a decent career, and he deserves credit for sticking to it when many would have hung ‘em up. Benavidez really has not proven much. In fact, he has shown himself to have mental lapses outside the ring, and he often attacks while leaving himself too open.

Benavidez is nowhere near the boxer that BJS is, and he is neither the puncher or boxer that 3G is.

There must be a reason that they have chosen to fight Lemieux over all the top SMWs and LHWs. Maybe, just maybe Lemieux can finally get the big win he has always worked for.

[caldo2025]

Nice quality name to get on the resume for DB here. Very smart managerially as well. If he’s able to get a KO or a drubbing, his name will ring louder to Canelo’s already ringing ears in regards to fans calling for this fight.

[caldo2025]

No it doesn't.
It tells us he can knockout tomato cans, club fighters and C level boxers.
Beating Lemieux does not and never did require an elite boxer in the other corner.
Marco Antonio Rubio and a faded version of Joacim Alcine were too much for Mario.

Lemieux is better than your remarks. He’s got much better than average power but his problem has always been him trying to fit himself into a 160 pounder when he just couldn’t get close to it comfortably. I doubt it mattered versus GGG & BJS but at a more comfortable weight and with his type of power in both hands, he could make a tough night for anyone at 168. Or, he could be outclassed like you say. But either way, Lemieux is very deserving to be a contender in this fight and DB SHOULD claim proper credit with a decisive victory if it should happen. Likewise, should it be an upset, the proper credit deservedly should go to DL. That’s how you make a good fight when no one else wants to fight you. Be happy we have this one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Benny can do a triple G job on him.

[apollo creed]

Indeed its a poor fight. Bena should move up at 175 and challenge the top guys out there.

[apollo creed]

easy work benavidez, lem was lucky to get a win over max bursak ffs, aint nothing much at smw

Certainly NOT Charlo, Andrade, Smith Jr, Bivol, Beterbiev, Zurdo, Callum, nor the golden Mexican calf eating child.

It avoids all of the above.
I mean, what are they waiting for with him?
Lemieux would have been a good opponent 3 years ago, not now.

Well tbh, many people are thinking Bena may be Canelo's best opponent but realistically Bena has a poor resume and also its questionable why the heck he is still staying at 168 fighting poor opposition and he doesn't want to move up at 175 ?

[cormack]

poor fight for beno

not much of a challenge frankly

[KiwiRider]

Certainly NOT Charlo, Andrade, Smith Jr, Bivol, Beterbiev, Zurdo, Callum, nor the golden Mexican calf eating child.

It avoids all of the above.
I mean, what are they waiting for with him?
Lemieux would have been a good opponent 3 years ago, not now.

Well tbh, many people are thinking Bena may be Canelo's best opponent but realistically Bena has a poor resume and also its questionable why the heck he is still staying at 168 fighting poor opposition and he doesn't want to move up at 175 ?

I know. I don't get it either.
He (mostly) makes weight and does deal with whoever they put in front of him- no complaints there.
It's just been ages since he was this youngest world champion learning the ropes. Time to step it up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It avoids all of the above.
I mean, what are they waiting for with him?
Lemieux would have been a good opponent 3 years ago, not now.

Well tbh, many people are thinking Bena may be Canelo's best opponent but realistically Bena has a poor resume and also its questionable why the heck he is still staying at 168 fighting poor opposition and he doesn't want to move up at 175 ?

I know. I don't get it either.
He (mostly) makes weight and does deal with whoever they put in front of him- no complaints there.
It's just been ages since he was this youngest world champion learning the ropes. Time to step it up.

Benny doesn't deserve the fight, based on resume, but we can't always think like that.

Would be a good fight I think.

[apollo creed]

It avoids all of the above.
I mean, what are they waiting for with him?
Lemieux would have been a good opponent 3 years ago, not now.

Well tbh, many people are thinking Bena may be Canelo's best opponent but realistically Bena has a poor resume and also its questionable why the heck he is still staying at 168 fighting poor opposition and he doesn't want to move up at 175 ?

I know. I don't get it either.
He (mostly) makes weight and does deal with whoever they put in front of him- no complaints there.
It's just been ages since he was this youngest world champion learning the ropes. Time to step it up.

True. The interesting question is if there is a solid reason why a big 168 pounder who struggles to make the weight he's still fighting stiffs @ 168?? ............ when he could move up at 175, making the weight more easy and fight better opponents ?

[adislav123]

the holy 0.

[Lackeos]

Very nice matchmaking. This definitely isn't enough to make Benavidez a lock to challenge Alvarez in the next fight. But it would be a really nice bump.

[Rocky-]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

At 160 against B level opposition. Watch the Bursak fight to lose all faith in Pepe at 168.

[ironbeard]

Lemieux is always dangerous.

At 160 against B level opposition. Watch the Bursak fight to lose all faith in Pepe at 168.

Already been through this. Certainly, Lemieux is not top shelf, but he is better, and more dangerous, than what Benavidez has been fighting lately. He should win it but if he does not come in ready to go, Lemieux could catch him and even it up.

Lemieux has had a decent career. He is not who I hoped Benavidez would fight next but it could have been worse.