At Madison Square Garden, New York, Golovkin vs Lemieux was not the billed war, but another methodical demolition masterclass. Gennady Golovkin was in control from the opening bell, and went on to hand David Lemieux a one-sided beating until the referee stepped in to end the onslaught in the 8th round.
Golovkin, now the unified IBF, WBO Middleweight champion, builds to 34 wins, no defeats, 31 knockouts, while Lemieux drops to 34 wins, 3 defeats, 31 knockouts. Going into the 9th, Boxing Base had it 80-71 – in other words, a shutout.
Lemeiux, 26, did find some success with a few power shots along the way, most of all the jab, but his scoring punches paled greatly against Golovkin’s. Lemieux did at least come to fight, and gave everything he could. The simple fact of the matter was that Golovkin didn’t allow him to get in range, creating what seemed like a mile between them all night long.
It quickly became apparent that Lemieux’s power meant little in this showdown if he couldn’t get his shots off. Which was of course part of Golovkin’s and trainer Abel Sanchez’s design. Golovkin consistently caught Lemieux with his ram-rod jab throughout, and began mixing his attack with right-hands and hooks from the 3rd round on.
Lemieux was taking punishment. And that punishment was about to become even greater. At the tail-end of the 5th, the Canadian took a knee following one of GGG’s rib-crushing body shots. Lemieux managed to see the final bell, but only to find himself endure further agony, soon suffering a blood-gushing nose. By the looks of it, that thing was broken – and it caught the attention of the ringside physician.
The doc let Lemieux continue into the 8th, but the round was short-lived. Golovkin could sense his twenty-first knockout was on the horizon, and began cracking his foe with monstrous blows until the referee saved Lemieux from his own bravery.
What we witnessed tonight was arguably one of the most well-rounded, complete fighters in boxing today. Golovkin, 33, not only carries vaunted power in every punch, but can box exceptionally well, manipulating distance with ease. So much so that one of the division’s – and all of boxing’s – hardest punchers could barely touch him.
Gennady Golovkin has never been hurt, wobbled or knocked down. And right now, he’s looking pretty darn unbeatable. Are images of Floyd Mayweather beginning to seem like a distant memory?
Let me know your take on Golovkin vs Lemieux. Early stoppage? Anti-climactic fight? Chime in with your thoughts, and any on the rest of the card.
