David Lemieux: ‘Golovkin Has Not Faced a Fighter Like Me’

---

Gennady Golovkin is always preaching about giving fight fans a “big drama show.” It’s one of his trademarks, along with his destructive punching power and aggressive fighting style. And with that, the vast majority of the boxing world expects opponent David Lemieux to fall victim to yet another huge, violent show from the popular Russian.

But when asked about “GGG” and what he brings to the table, the Montreal native scoffs at the notion that he’ll be the recipient of another highlight reel knockout courtesy of Golovkin’s ferocity.

“Everybody understands the gravity of this fight, and I think the people are going to be surprised with what I bring to the table Oct. 17,” Lemieux said. “I'm a big underdog in this fight, and to me it makes no difference. I know who I am and I know what I'm going to bring to the table, so we will see after the fight.”

Lemieux said that he has never trained harder for a fight than he has for what lies ahead of him Saturday night inside the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. His headlining bout with Golovkin anchors an HBO pay-per-view telecast, by far the biggest stage he will have stepped on thus far in his career. But, he said, none of that matters because of all the most important work has already been done. A victory, in his eyes, is just a formality.

“I have been pushing myself to the maximum with each training [session], with each exercise, with everything, envisioning the big day ahead of me,” he stated. “So I did everything I had to do to make sure I have no regrets [Saturday] because the plan is to walk out of Madison Square Garden with those belts and hopefully without a broken nose.”

Much is being made about Golovkin’s power and for good reason. “GGG” is currently riding a sensational streak where he’s knocked out his opponent in 20 straight bouts. What’s not being discussed as much, however, is the fact that Lemieux has awesome power in his hands as well. But Lemieux is quick to point out that his power isn’t the only element of his game that will be on display when he shocks the world.

“I do have power, but I'm not going into this fight only with power,” he remarked. “I'm going to need all the tools in order to be sharp in a fight of this degree. He's a very good fighter, very smart, but I think I got a lot of surprises to show the world. Power is not something that frightens me. Nothing really frightens me when I'm in the ring.

“The fighter with the biggest heart, that can take and receive (punishment),” he added. “It's not about power this fight; it's about character and toughness and determination and who wants it more. We're both hard punchers, everybody knows that but let's see beyond that.”

Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) is coming off a thrilling win over Hassan N’Dam in June, when he captured the vacant IBF strap. He dominated N’Dam from the start and knocked him down four times en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. He’s still a largely unknown commodity outside of Montreal but he promises to become a household name after he locks horns with Golovkin, who is regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Lemieux cautions anybody who is picking him be Gennady’s 21st consecutive knockout victim: "Golovkin has not faced a fighter like me before.”