David Lemieux wants to become world champion again for his son

Although he has become a father for the third time, the recent birth of his son Xander has given new meaning to his mission as a boxer.

10 days before his fight for the interim WBC super middleweight (168 lb) world title against American David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), Lemieux obviously said he was in great shape and ready to take on what promises to be the biggest sporting challenge of his life.

When pointed out that Benavidez had been in the gym for three months preparing for a fight that was postponed twice, from January to March to May, Lemieux replied with a laugh that he had been training since he was 9 years old. years.

I haven’t taken any big breaks since my last fight in October. As soon as we had news for the fight, we concretely prepared for two months for his style.added Lemieux more seriously.

Ignore outside noise

Even with all his background and all his past experiences, David Lemieux has never found himself in a situation like the one he will experience on May 21, at the Gila River Arena, home of the Coyotes, in Glendale, Arizona.

Most observers agree that this fight is one of no return for Lemieux, somewhat in the same spirit as what Trifluvien Mikaël Zewski recently experienced.

But Lemieux brushes aside the notion that for him, in 10 days, it’s make or break.

People can say whatever they want. But every time I step in the ring, I know I’m giving a good show, he launched. So, there is no make or break. For me, every fight is important, every fight is crucial.

Is he using that as extra motivation?

” For me, the real extra motivation is my son who has just been born and who needs food on the table. It is by boxing that I earn my bread. I really want to win this fight and I don’t think about what’s going on outside. »

David Lemieux paid tribute to his wife, former diver and Olympic athlete Jennifer Abel, who allows him to sleep well despite the presence of the newborn at home.

My wife is solid in please! I’m happy to have a woman like her who takes care of the child 100% because she understands the importance of this fight given that she herself was an athlete.Lemieux said, explaining that the baby was in no way a distraction in his preparation.

For those worried about the final phase of his weight loss (it’s caused him headaches before in the lower 160lb category), Lemieux is reassuring by saying he feels as good as he did in the days leading up to his fight against Billy Joe Saunders in Laval in December 2016.

As for the challenge of going to face Benavidez, at home, in his stronghold, Lemieux also refuses to be imposed.

” It’s a big challenge, but when you’re in the ring, a ring remains a ring, no matter who you are against. I don’t mind knowing that the fans will be on his side, even though I know it can give him a lot of energy. My focus is such that the outside elements won’t make any difference. I am really focused and I want this victory at all costs. »

While the portrait of the super middleweight category has changed following Dimitri Bivol’s victory over Canelo Alvarez last weekend, Lemieux says he only wants to focus on his upcoming duel against Benavidez.

Lemieux had never hidden it. He hoped that an eventual victory against the American would serve as a springboard for him to face Canelo. Like what things change very quickly in professional boxing.

Coach’s view

Marc Ramsay has been working alongside David Lemieux for several years now. He probably knows him better than anyone in all aspects of his boxing.

Ramsay doesn’t seem the least bit worried about the state of mind in which his protege will take charge of Glendale.

He’s in an area that’s thefun. This is the kind of opportunity we’ve been waiting for. It was out of the question for us to fight on a smaller scale. We wanted to go for the home run or nothing at allRamsay first admitted.

As for going to fight on enemy soil, Ramsay recalls that Lemieux has fought the majority of his most recent fights (7 of the last 13) outside.

” It has almost become a habit for him. It’s not really anything new. For sure there will be a particular energy because the opponent will be the local favorite. We must channel this energy and make it a source of motivation. »

Ramsay concluded by saying that the young Benavidez, 25 (8 years younger than Lemieux), will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders against an opponent as seasoned as Lemieux.

You will have to take him to less comfortable areas to try to make him crack a little and make him take risks that he would not normally take.concluded Ramsay, insisting on the fact that according to him, David Lemieux’s main weapon is his strike force.

It remains to be seen whether its speed will also be there.