BoxRec

Former IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux will test himself at the super middleweight limit 168-pounds in the coming months.

But don't be surprised if he doesn't stay there for too long.

Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) mentioned that he is fully recovered from his misfortunes following his misadventure on December 15, when he was taken to the hospital before the weigh-in for a planned fight against Tureano Johnson at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Lemieux was very dehydrated after squeezing down to the middleweight limit, which led to the cancellation of his fight.

"It's one of the worst scenarios that can happen to a boxer," said Lemieux to RDS.

"I was worried about not making the weight and disappointing my fans, but it was rough this dehydration. That's why I ended up in the hospital. I was almost there ... by sleeping I thought I was going to cut half a pound, but when I woke up I was knocked out. I was dizzy. I did not really see well and my hearing was very bad. [My trainer] Marc [Ramsay] saw me and that's when he made the decision to go to the hospital.

"Marc is an exceptional person. He lost a lot of money making this decision. It was not an easy decision and not all coaches would have did it. He has a really strong character. I have a lot of appreciation for what he did. "

The Quebecer also revealed that he will likely return on May 4 as part of the undercard to the clash between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs. The name of John Ryder was mentioned as a possible opponent.

Both Jacobs and Ryder are promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.

Look forward to this if it comes off , Ryder gaining a good bit of momentum .

Lemeiux by KO

Ryder is listed as 5' 9", but looks much shorter. He comes straight forward and takes a lot of shots while boring in. He'll be in the pocket for Lemieux all night.

Bad fight for Ryder if he is steered this way. Unless the money is exceptional, I would keep John well away from a two fisted banger like Lemieux. Ryder is in a position where he's had a good run of form and could get plucked out to face one of the multiple world champions around at the moment.

Seems like an interesting fight

oogiebe wrote: ↑23 Jan 2019, 19:08 Ryder is listed as 5' 9", but looks much shorter. He comes straight forward and takes a lot of shots while boring in. He'll be in the pocket for Lemieux all night.

Agreed, Ryder has done well recently but I fear he may well play straight into the hands of Lemieux & his power.

I think Ryder tends to take too many shots when he switches off in fights - but that tends to happen against fighters who try to frustrate him by keeping it long. In the fights he lost against Arnfield and Fielding he seemed to go through lulls of inactivity. Thought the same might begin to happen before he got rid of that Sirotkin fella who was very awkward.

When he's switched on he's very good IMO. He's a good inside fighter, was very impressive against Nielsen and Cox, particularly at close quarters. I think the styles will gel well. Ryder likes working on the inside and Lemieux is only really effective when somebody is right in front of him.

when i first hear the fight,i think lemieux ko, but ryder has come on a lot , and i think jr gave bjs a closer fight then lemieux , any way , i think it is tough figh as jr will have to fight inside, if john can gain lemieux respest with some soild shots he has a chance, gwan the gorrilla

Looks like this fight is on then...

Good fight this. Give Ryder a good chance if he still there after 6 rounds

Good fight this, I've always liked Ryder and feel he has underachieved to a degree. Lemieux has cracking power, but very little else imo.

If Rydar can get his tactics right he can outbox Lemieux comfortably, but if he switches off (as he has a tendancey to do) he could well walk onto something.

Good fight on paper, but should also be a good fight on the night.

Would love to see Ryder get a win here. Really like him. Always comes across a top lad

Plus Lemieux is a fuckin tosser!

David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) will make his 168-pound debut when he takes on John "The Gorilla" Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs.

The card will also feature the returns of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Pablo Cesar "El Demoledor" Cano, Joseph "JoJo" Diaz Jr., Sadam "World Kid" Ali and Lamont Roach Jr., in separate bouts. The event will take place Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

"There comes a time when every fighter must move up in weight, and now is that time for David Lemieux," said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. "Lemieux was the hardest-hitting puncher in the 160-pound division, and I'm absolutely certain he will be the biggest puncher at 168 pounds. John Ryder will be in for a tough fight on May 4. Also, this undercard will feature some of our brightest stars, including Vergil Ortiz Jr., who with only 12 fights will face a tough veteran in Mauricio Herrera. Golden Boy and DAZN have crafted an excellent night of action, so don't miss out on this one!"

"I've seen [John] Ryder fight," said David Lemieux. "He's a credible rival, but I'm going to make a statement out of what I'm going to do with him. At 168, I'm going to be the strongest that I've ever been."

Ryder is a 30-year-old native of London who is the No. 1 contender for the WBA Super Middleweight Title. Ryder has faced tough opposition, including a close fight against Rocky Fielding and a tough battle against Billy Joe Saunders. The "Gorilla" is coming off a seventh-round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Andrey Sirotkin, and he'll look to retain his shot at the title with a win against Lemieux.

brilo33 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2019, 21:18 when i first hear the fight,i think lemieux ko, but ryder has come on a lot , and i think jr gave bjs a closer fight then lemieux , any way , i think it is tough figh as jr will have to fight inside, if john can gain lemieux respest with some soild shots he has a chance, gwan the gorrilla

I'm keen to see it, if it happens. John has had some big guys to face, Lemmy isn't.
I voted Ryder TKO. It's a lonely vote right now, but I recon he can do it.

For now, Lemieux and Ryder will vie for the WBA ‘Interim’ title, with the potential for an upgrade pending the outcome of the evening’s main event

Either way, the winner will gain a crack at the full title. A shot at the king will come sometime after Smith (25-0, 18KOs) returns to the ring on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City for his first fight since knocking out George Groves to win the title and the World Boxing Super Series 168-pound tournament last September.

Ryder (27-4, 15KOs) is the current mandatory challenger, earning that placement following a 7th round knockout of previously unbeaten Andrey Sirotkin last October in England. The London-based southpaw trailed early and was forced to overcome a clash of heads to prevail courtesy of a body-shot knockout.

The win was his third straight since dropping a 12-round decision to Fielding in April ’17.

An unfortunate hand injury has forced David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) to withdraw from his 168-pound debut against London's John "The Gorilla" Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in what was going to be the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs.

Lemieux injured his right hand during a sparring session, and his doctor has recommended that he rest for eight weeks before returning to the gym.

Details for the new co-main event will be announced shortly. The Canelo vs. Jacobs will continue as planned on Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

No news on whether Ryder stays on the card.

He might end up fighting Cal Smith?

Doubt it.

Lemieux, a 30-year-old native of Montreal, Canada, is disappointed at his injury, but promises to return stronger than ever.

''Training camp was going really great," said David Lemieux."I felt in tremendous shape, the strongest I'd ever felt in my entire career. But, I will be back soon. Hopefully, the fans will understand. I promise I will make it up to them once I'm healed."

"I'm very disappointed since he was in the best shape of his life both in the gym and in the ring," said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. "We will take the time to heal his hand and get right back in the chase for a world title."

"It's very unfortunate that David Lemieux's return has been postponed," said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. "But this is boxing, and these things happen. We wish David a speedy recovery and look forward to his return, so he can make big waves at 168 pounds."

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 Apr 2019, 17:40 Lemieux, a 30-year-old native of Montreal, Canada, is disappointed at his injury, but promises to return stronger than ever.

''Training camp was going really great," said David Lemieux."I felt in tremendous shape, the strongest I'd ever felt in my entire career. But, I will be back soon. Hopefully, the fans will understand. I promise I will make it up to them once I'm healed."

"I'm very disappointed since he was in the best shape of his life both in the gym and in the ring," said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. "We will take the time to heal his hand and get right back in the chase for a world title."

"It's very unfortunate that David Lemieux's return has been postponed," said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. "But this is boxing, and these things happen. We wish David a speedy recovery and look forward to his return, so he can make big waves at 168 pounds."

Can't believe Lemiuex is only 30!! Seems as if he's been about forever!

Stuarty wrote: ↑18 Apr 2019, 03:28 Can't believe Lemiuex is only 30!! Seems as if he's been about forever!

He's a bum!

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑18 Apr 2019, 03:29 He's a bum!

Aye he's a helmet alright! Can't stick the wanker!

Stuarty wrote: ↑18 Apr 2019, 03:28 Can't believe Lemiuex is only 30!! Seems as if he's been about forever!

That’s because he has been around forever. The N’Dam fight was in 2015, now that’s already 4 years ago.