“If he wants war, I’m going to make him one” – David Lemieux

The red tracksuits associated with the Team Benavidez were so numerous that it was impossible to discern the real local men from the friends and supporters of the man nicknamed the boogie-manor if you prefer the 168 lb.

Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) will enjoy massive support among the approximately 10,000 spectators expected here on Saturday night for the final involving the WBC Interim super middleweight title.

My mind is made strong. There will also be a lot of Quebec and Canadian fans here on Saturday night. There are even Americans who are with me. I’ve even been booed when entering the ring [contre Gabriel Rosado, à Brooklyn, en 2014, NDLR]. And I walked out to applause was pleased to recall Lemieux.

In other words, the winner of Lemieux (44-6, 36 KOs) or Benavidez will become the mandatory contender for the belt held by Mexican Saul Canello Alvarez.

But in Lemieux’s head, there is no room for doubt. At 33, he came here to win, not as a foil to a young rising star. If he wants war, I’ll make him onerepeated Lemieux during the press briefing.

Benavidez’s response was equally sharp. I guarantee you it will end in a knockout, and I will pass ithe promised submitted the applause of his clan to the appearance of a small army.

Trust all the way

During the brief interview he gave to Radio-Canada Sports after the press conference, Lemieux did not show the slightest doubt. After all, in boxing, it can be fatal.

I had a good preparation. I am top shape. I have a good opponent in front of me, but I have confidence to bring the belt back to Quebec.

The wars of attrition are not the prerogative of Lemieux who we accustomed to seeing him rush headlong at the sound of the bell.

About his first face-to-face with Benavidez, Lemieux contented himself with saluting the fact that his rival was not one to start fires for nothing. He doesn’t say sh… He’s got class. He knows what we’re going to do in the ring. It’s not Billie Joe Saundersdropped Lemieux in memory of the Briton with a language and attitude tinged with gall.

Asked to explain how this fight is different from the others he has fought outside Quebec, Lemieux pointed out that Benavidez was the most feared boxer in the 168 lb division. It’s also a division he recently made the jump to.

He also isn’t afraid of the undeniable advantage that the 10cm of extra reach he has on him could give Benavidez.

It is not the first time. I have known often. The bigger they are, the harder the fall. It’s not just about size or size. At the weigh-in, he’ll be 168 lbs and so am I. Everything will be decided in the way in which we will play our assetsinsisted Lemieux.

Same story from his trainer Marc Ramsay.

We know we have a real challenge. Even that in some respects we are perhaps the neglected ones. We came here on a mission. We have a precise plan, and we want to impose it quicklyhe launched.

Ramsay underscored Lemieux’s realistic point ahead of Saturday night.

Do not underestimate or overestimate. You have to be realistic, know what you want to do and how you’re going to get there. You know David’s aggressive style. We’re not going to beat around the bush for very long. There is still a technical quality that must be kept. Both men have their natures, and I think it’s going to put on a good show.

Important evening for Benavidez… and Estephan

Beyond the usual bravado, Benavidez does not hide that adding a catch like David Lemieux to his record would mean a lot to him.

Although he was already world champion at 20, the American is aware of the effect that a convincing victory could have on his reputation, he who has Canelo Alvarez in his sights.

It would be really good for my career because he is a former world champion. He faced the best, the crème de la crème. It would really mean a lot to me. I have a lot of respect for him. I have seen what he has accomplished since I was a child. He hits hard. To face someone like him, it tells me that I’m on the right trackacknowledged Benavidez.

Trying to put yourself in the shoes of the promoter and president of Eye of the Tiger Management, Camille Estephan, you quickly understand the effect that a victory for Lemieux could have for the future.

Estephan has invested heavily in Lemieux over the past decade. Estephan’s support has remained unwavering despite some mood swings resulting from his protege’s troubles meeting the weight limit in the lower 160lb category.

It’s a great opportunity. I love to see how David has the desire to win, to fight and to suffer for the chance to fight great fightssaid the promoter.

Estephan is therefore not surprised to see Lemieux fight a battle of this magnitude after only three fights at 168 lbs. He underlines in broad strokes that we cannot sweep under the rug the forty duels that he delivered at 160 lbs and which allowed him to amass a solid baggage of experience.

He speaks with enormous pride of the work done by Marc Ramsay as Head Coach and Head of Development. Estephan points out how much his boxers have improved to the point of finding themselves in an advantageous position on the world scale.

He mentioned Christian MBilli and Erik Bazinyan, both 5th in the world in their respective categories, Arslanbek Makhmudov, 6th in heavyweight, and of course Lemieux, No. 2 with a world title fight to deliver.

It is to leave nothing to chance or entirely in the hands of the American promoter PBC that Estephan was accompanied to Arizona by the former head of boxing at the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Québec, Michael Hamelin.

Hamelin has seen it all. He knows a lot of people and knows how to pull the strings when necessary. Thus, he supervised the provision of gloves. David Lemieux will have Grant products (foam-based) to better protect his hands. There was no question of leaving full control to Professional Boxing Championship (PBC).

Also, Hamelin will keep an eye on the people from the local athletic commission to ensure that everything is done according to the rules. It may be of great importance, especially if the fight goes to the limit.

It is also in this spirit that EOTTM took care of all the logistical questions related to the transport of David Lemieux and his team, costs and organization being usually entrusted to the host promoter.

Among the nasty surprises set up by PBC, Friday’s weigh-in will be held in the plaza outside the Coyotes’ former home. Around 1 p.m. (local time) the mercury should reach 42 degrees Celcius!!!

Confidence therefore, but also a good dose of mistrust on both sides.