Robbie Bannatyne: Normally a world title unification clash between two offensively minded, murderous punchers is exactly what any aspiring boxing journalist would want to write about.
Still, despite salivating like an Alsatian over a Sirloin at the prospect of Gennady Golovkin vs David Lemieux, I haven’t been compelled to put pen to paper. Why? Because the vast majority of the boxing world think the result is a forgone conclusion: yet another knockout victory for GGG.
In fairness, I find it hard to fathom any other outcome either, but what if Lemieux wins? Stranger things have happened in boxing and someone like the dynamite fisted David Lemieux certainly has a punchers chance.
But is landing a Hail Mary shot Lemieux’s only chance of halting the GGG Express? Short answer: Yes. If the fight goes the distance then Golovkin will almost certainly be the victor by virtue of being the better all round boxer. However, both men always look to fight on the front-foot, applying unrelenting pressure on their opponents. From this perspective, something has to give as both fighters cannot be the aggressor at all times.
#FaceOff with @Max_Kellerman @lemieuxboxing debuts TONIGHT at 11:20pm on @HBO. #GolovkinLemieux pic.twitter.com/cipw0L3ctf
— Gennady Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) October 10, 2015
There will be times when both Golovkin and Lemieux must cede the centre of the ring to try and counter the others work. Such a strategy would seem to favour Golovkin, as his outstanding amateur credentials attest that he is as cultured as he is concussive in a boxing ring. On the other hand, Golovkin has never been forced back in his entire professional career, and such an approach would be alien to a man- riding a 20 fight knockout streak- who is so used to stalking his prey and landing punches at will.
However, the blood curdling blows of Lemieux could force a change of direction from Golovkin, who has yet to face as fearsome a puncher as Lemieux. Normally there is a such a power differential between Golovkin and rest of his opponents that he rarely needs to worry about what is coming back when he launches his own assaults. Yet against Lemieux, Golovkin, perhaps for the 1st time in his pro career, will have legitimate concerns about the firepower of his opponent.
Concerns over Lemieux’s attacking arsenal may lead Golovkin to be less belligerent a beast than usual, especially when he knows he is the superior technician to Lemieux. This may influence Golovkin’s decision to suppress his bloodlust and rely more on his boxing skills to beat Lemieux. The caveat is that any uncertainty on the part of Golovkin about which game plan to follow could prove his undoing against Lemieux. In contrast, Lemieux knows he must go all in for the knockout, safe in the knowledge that he has nothing to lose with such a strategy. Win by knockout or not at all should be the motto for Lemieux.
So while it may be death or glory for David Lemieux, Gennady Golovkin could conceivably cruise to a decision with poise or destroy David Lemieux with power. Uncertainty in Golovkin lies opportunity for Lemieux who knows power is his only path to victory.
Thanks for reading,
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BN24 fans: How do you think the fight will go?
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