Golovkin, recognized as one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, will climb through the ropes in the “Mecca of Boxing” in what should be the toughest test of his career. Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) has thrashed every man put in front of him, scoring impressive wins over solid opposition like Matthew Macklin, Daniel Geale, Curtis Stevens and Gabriel Rosado. He most fought in May where he took out Willie Monroe Jr. in the sixth round.
The knock on “GGG” during the past several months is that the Kazakhstan native hasn’t taken on anybody considered to be an elite level fighter. While Lemieux may not be ranked within the top 10 on the P4P list, he is arguably the most accomplished and most dangerous opponent to date for Golovkin.
Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) has taken on similar opposition thus far in his career, but he has lost twice; once to Joachim Alcine via majority decision and before that, he was stopped by Marco Antonio Rubio in the seventh. Golovkin flattened Rubio in the second when they fought some three-and-a-half years later.
"I'm very excited to face David Lemieux to prove who is number-one in the middleweight division," Golovkin said in a statement. "I look forward to fighting again at Madison Square Garden and putting on another “Big Drama Show” for my fans in New York City."
Lemieux has won nine straight bouts since his loss to Alcine, stopping seven of those opponents. In June, Lemieux toppled Hassan N’Dam N’Jikan for the vacant IBF middleweight crown. On the flip side, Golovkin, the IBO and WBA “super” champ at 160 pounds, has knocked out 20 consecutive opponents en route to becoming who many believe to be the surefire lock to dominate the sport of boxing for the next several years.
"I've said that I don't care who I fight, so long as they are the best, and Golovkin is the best out there in the middleweight division," Lemieux said. "GGG may be the most feared man in boxing, but after October 17, there will be a new feared man in the middleweight division. Two very powerful punchers are coming into the ring. There will be blood; there will be fireworks, and I am confident I will emerge victorious.”
The huge event will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. A full undercard will be announced in the coming weeks, but it’s been reported that Nicaraguan knockout artist Roman Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KOs) will defend his WBC flyweight title and Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz (22-0, 19 KOs) will be in action, with opponents to still to be named.