David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux: Live results and full coverage.
Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux are scheduled to face one another in a 12-round bout Saturday in Glendale Arizona (Showtime).
Boxing Junkie will post results of the featured bouts on the card immediately after they end. Simply return to this post when the time comes.
Also, full coverage – a fight story, photo gallery and analysis – will follow on separate posts the night of the fight and the following day.
David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux: Live results and full coverage.
Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux are scheduled to face one another in a 12-round bout Saturday in Glendale Arizona (Showtime).
Boxing Junkie will post results of the featured bouts on the card immediately after they end. Simply return to this post when the time comes.
Also, full coverage – a fight story, photo gallery and analysis – will follow on separate posts the night of the fight and the following day.
Video and photos: David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux final news conference.
David Benavidez and David Lemieux both expressed confidence Thursday at the final news conference for their super middleweight fight Saturday in Carson, California (Showtime).
They are fighting for the WBC’s “interim” super middleweight title.
“I can guarantee a hell of a fight, a war, and that somebody is getting knocked out. Neither of us wants to go to a decision,” Benavidez said. “The people are paying good money to see a knockout, and that’s what they’re going to get.
“I’m leaving with the title on Saturday night.
Said Lemieux: “I bring power, knockout power. I don’t care that he’s the so-called boogeyman of the division. He’s the fighter in front of me and I’m not scared of anybody. I’ll fight anybody. I’m scared of no man and on fight night, I’m determined to become champion.”
Here are images from the news conference. All photos by Esther Lin of Showtime.
David Lemieux: ‘There’s a lot at stake for me’ against David Benavidez on Saturday.
David Lemieux has always been known as a big puncher.
The Montreal native stopped his first 20 opponents as a professional, first at 154 pounds and then at 160. And he has carried his power to 168, at which he has stopped two of his three opponents since moving up in weight.
But he knocked out Francy Ntetu and David Zegarra. On Saturday, he fights one of biggest, strongest and best 168-pounders on the planet for the WBC’s “interim” title, David Benavidez., who is better than a 10-1 favorite.
Could Lemieux, who has lost his biggest fights, maintain his streak against a fighter like that?
David Lemieux (right, against Marcos Reyes) faces a stiff test against David Benavidez on Saturday. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
“I do believe that my power will translate at 168 pounds,” he said. “I’ve been working a lot to integrate into the 168-pound division, and I believe my power will be at its peak on fight night. Benavídez is a big guy. We know that. But we’re preparing and we have the right sparring partners. I’m going to go in there and be very strong.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had an opponent like Benavídez, but I’m excited. I’m very hyped up about this fight. I know what a victory will do for my career and I won’t miss my shot.”
Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) said he grew out of the 160-pound division. Now, he said, he’s more comfortable.
“The eight pounds makes a world of a difference,” he said. “160 pounds was very difficult to make, especially towards the end. I feel great training at 168. I’m very comfortable making that weight. I’m training very hard, building strength and muscle and not worrying about cutting weight. I’m feeling great.”
Lemieux, 33, isn’t old. At the same time, he probably won’t receive many more opportunities to fight at this level unless he has a break-through victory.
He won the IBF middleweight title when he outpointed Hassam N’Dam in June 2015 but lost it four months later it to a prime Gennadiy Golovkin, who blew the Canadian out in eight one-sided rounds.
Then, in his most-recent title shot, in 2017, he lost a wide decision to then-WBO beltholder Billy Joe Saunders.
He needs to beat Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday.
“Regardless of your age, it’s really now or never in every fight in the boxing ring,” he said. “You don’t get many chances to leave a good mark in the game, so every fight needs to be taken very seriously, especially a fight of this magnitude. There’s a lot at stake for me.
“I know I’m the underdog, but I don’t care. I’m just going in there to fight, underdog or not. I’ve been the underdog in the past and I’ve won the fights. It doesn’t really bother me.”
“… I feel like I’ve been underestimated during my career. But the only way to come back is with a strong victory against an opponent of an elite level. That’s what I’m planning on doing on May 21.”
David Lemieux: ‘There’s a lot at stake for me’ against David Benavidez on Saturday.
David Lemieux has always been known as a big puncher.
The Montreal native stopped his first 20 opponents as a professional, first at 154 pounds and then at 160. And he has carried his power to 168, at which he has stopped two of his three opponents since moving up in weight.
But he knocked out Francy Ntetu and David Zegarra. On Saturday, he fights one of biggest, strongest and best 168-pounders on the planet for the WBC’s “interim” title, David Benavidez., who is better than a 10-1 favorite.
Could Lemieux, who has lost his biggest fights, maintain his streak against a fighter like that?
David Lemieux (right, against Marcos Reyes) faces a stiff test against David Benavidez on Saturday. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
“I do believe that my power will translate at 168 pounds,” he said. “I’ve been working a lot to integrate into the 168-pound division, and I believe my power will be at its peak on fight night. Benavídez is a big guy. We know that. But we’re preparing and we have the right sparring partners. I’m going to go in there and be very strong.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had an opponent like Benavídez, but I’m excited. I’m very hyped up about this fight. I know what a victory will do for my career and I won’t miss my shot.”
Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) said he grew out of the 160-pound division. Now, he said, he’s more comfortable.
“The eight pounds makes a world of a difference,” he said. “160 pounds was very difficult to make, especially towards the end. I feel great training at 168. I’m very comfortable making that weight. I’m training very hard, building strength and muscle and not worrying about cutting weight. I’m feeling great.”
Lemieux, 33, isn’t old. At the same time, he probably won’t receive many more opportunities to fight at this level unless he has a break-through victory.
He won the IBF middleweight title when he outpointed Hassam N’Dam in June 2015 but lost it four months later it to a prime Gennadiy Golovkin, who blew the Canadian out in eight one-sided rounds.
Then, in his most-recent title shot, in 2017, he lost a wide decision to then-WBO beltholder Billy Joe Saunders.
He needs to beat Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday.
“Regardless of your age, it’s really now or never in every fight in the boxing ring,” he said. “You don’t get many chances to leave a good mark in the game, so every fight needs to be taken very seriously, especially a fight of this magnitude. There’s a lot at stake for me.
“I know I’m the underdog, but I don’t care. I’m just going in there to fight, underdog or not. I’ve been the underdog in the past and I’ve won the fights. It doesn’t really bother me.”
“… I feel like I’ve been underestimated during my career. But the only way to come back is with a strong victory against an opponent of an elite level. That’s what I’m planning on doing on May 21.”
David Benavidez said he is focused on a bigger, brighter future, not the past.
If you’re waiting for David Benavidez to take another misstep in his career, you might be waiting a long time.
The 25-year-old super middleweight contender has had two significant slip-ups. He lost the WBA world title out the ring on separate occasions, first after testing positive for cocaine at 21 and then as a result of missing weight by almost three pounds before a defense at 23.
That was then, he told Boxing Junkie. He felt the pain of his mistakes and learned from them. And he feels he can’t afford another self-inflicted setback. He has a family now, a young son, as well as team members who depend on him.
David Benavidez is working toward becoming a three-time world champion. Michael Owens / Getty Images
All that motivates him to focus intently on the task at hand and not the past. He faces David Lemieux on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona (Showtime).
“I just have to keep working hard and let the success take the noise away,” he said, referring to his doubters. “We’re here doing what we have to do. Things are done, people make mistakes. That’s how it is in life. If you keep worrying about the bad stuff, the bad things going on, you’re never going to progress in your life. People have setbacks in their lives, successful people.
“I’m going to keep working hard, keep doing what I have to do until my career is over. … I can’t really worry about what other people say about me.”
Of course, with so many people depending on him, comes pressure.
Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) feels only he can beat himself. That’s both good and bad, good because he theoretically has full control of his destiny, potentially bad because the world is on his shoulders.
“I just feel I have to work extra hard,” he said. “When you work harder, it will allow you to reach another level of yourself, your game, your mind. That’s fine with me. I want to be the best version of myself I can be. If I get pushed, if I get motivated by other people, then that’s what it takes now.”
The fight with Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) is important for Benavidez.
It could be a stepping stone to a showdown with an elite opponent, perhaps Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo or Demetrius Andrade, and bring him closer to a shot at another 168-pound title. And a victory would earn him another title belt, albeit the WBC’s “interim” version.
He wants to feel what it’s like to have one wrapped around his waist again.
“I’m excited for this fight even though it’s an interim belt,” he said. “Where I come from, every belt is special, even when I won [minor] belts. … I’m grateful to be in these positions to fight for these titles because a title shot doesn’t come from for anybody.
“… And this next title is very special for me because it will open doors for me.”
It will also push his mistakes farther into the past.
David Benavidez said he is focused on a bigger, brighter future, not the past.
If you’re waiting for David Benavidez to take another misstep in his career, you might be waiting a long time.
The 25-year-old super middleweight contender has had two significant slip-ups. He lost the WBA world title out the ring on separate occasions, first after testing positive for cocaine at 21 and then as a result of missing weight by almost three pounds before a defense at 23.
That was then, he told Boxing Junkie. He felt the pain of his mistakes and learned from them. And he feels he can’t afford another self-inflicted setback. He has a family now, a young son, as well as team members who depend on him.
David Benavidez is working toward becoming a three-time world champion. Michael Owens / Getty Images
All that motivates him to focus intently on the task at hand and not the past. He faces David Lemieux on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona (Showtime).
“I just have to keep working hard and let the success take the noise away,” he said, referring to his doubters. “We’re here doing what we have to do. Things are done, people make mistakes. That’s how it is in life. If you keep worrying about the bad stuff, the bad things going on, you’re never going to progress in your life. People have setbacks in their lives, successful people.
“I’m going to keep working hard, keep doing what I have to do until my career is over. … I can’t really worry about what other people say about me.”
Of course, with so many people depending on him, comes pressure.
Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) feels only he can beat himself. That’s both good and bad, good because he theoretically has full control of his destiny, potentially bad because the world is on his shoulders.
“I just feel I have to work extra hard,” he said. “When you work harder, it will allow you to reach another level of yourself, your game, your mind. That’s fine with me. I want to be the best version of myself I can be. If I get pushed, if I get motivated by other people, then that’s what it takes now.”
The fight with Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) is important for Benavidez.
It could be a stepping stone to a showdown with an elite opponent, perhaps Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo or Demetrius Andrade, and bring him closer to a shot at another 168-pound title. And a victory would earn him another title belt, albeit the WBC’s “interim” version.
He wants to feel what it’s like to have one wrapped around his waist again.
“I’m excited for this fight even though it’s an interim belt,” he said. “Where I come from, every belt is special, even when I won [minor] belts. … I’m grateful to be in these positions to fight for these titles because a title shot doesn’t come from for anybody.
“… And this next title is very special for me because it will open doors for me.”
It will also push his mistakes farther into the past.
David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux: date, time, how to watch, background.
Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux will face off in a battle of big punchers Saturday in Arizona (Showtime).
David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) vs. David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs)
Date: Saturday, May 21
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
Rounds: 12
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Benavidez 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight
Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
Background: Two-time titleholder David Benavidez and longtime contender David Lemieux will fight for the WBC “interim” belt, which will move the winner closer to a major title fight. Benavidez is riding a streak of five consecutive knockouts, including a seventh-round stoppage of Kyrone Davis this past November. Benavidez has been mentioned as a possible opponent for undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. He also has expressed an interest in facing Caleb Plant and middleweight titleholders Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade. He lives in Seattle but grew up in Phoenix, not far from Glendale. Lemieux, a knockout artist from Montreal, has lost his biggest fights. That includes a KO loss to Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015 and a decision against Billy Joe Saunders in 2017. However, he has won five consecutive fights since the latter setback. He was last in the ring in June of last year, when he stopped David Zegarra in the second round.
David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux: date, time, how to watch, background.
Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux will face off in a battle of big punchers Saturday in Arizona (Showtime).
David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) vs. David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs)
Date: Saturday, May 21
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
Rounds: 12
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Benavidez 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight
Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
Background: Two-time titleholder David Benavidez and longtime contender David Lemieux will fight for the WBC “interim” belt, which will move the winner closer to a major title fight. Benavidez is riding a streak of five consecutive knockouts, including a seventh-round stoppage of Kyrone Davis this past November. Benavidez has been mentioned as a possible opponent for undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. He also has expressed an interest in facing Caleb Plant and middleweight titleholders Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade. He lives in Seattle but grew up in Phoenix, not far from Glendale. Lemieux, a knockout artist from Montreal, has lost his biggest fights. That includes a KO loss to Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015 and a decision against Billy Joe Saunders in 2017. However, he has won five consecutive fights since the latter setback. He was last in the ring in June of last year, when he stopped David Zegarra in the second round.
Fight Week: David Benavidez and David Lemieux are set for a clash of big punchers on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
FIGHT WEEK
Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux will face off in a battle of big punchers Saturday in Arizona (Showtime).
David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) vs. David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs)
When: Saturday, May 21
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
Rounds: 12
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Benavidez 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight
Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
Background: Two-time titleholder David Benavidez and longtime contender David Lemieux will fight for the WBC “interim” belt, which will move the winner closer to a major title fight. Benavidez is riding a streak of five consecutive knockouts, including a seventh-round stoppage of Kyrone Davis this past November. Benavidez has been mentioned as a possible opponent for undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. He also has expressed an interest in facing Caleb Plant and middleweight titleholders Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade. He lives in Seattle but grew up in Phoenix, not far from Glendale. Lemieux, a knockout artist from Montreal, has lost his biggest fights. That includes a KO loss to Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015 and a decision against Billy Joe Saunders in 2017. However, he has won five consecutive fights since the latter setback. He was last in the ring in June of last year, when he stopped David Zegarra in the second round.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
Kerman Lejarraga vs. James Metcale, junior middleweights, Bilbao, Spain (DAZN).
Fanlong Meng vs. Jean Pascal, light heavyweights, Plant City, Florida (TV).
SATURDAY
Joshua Buatsi vs. Craig Richards, light heavyweights; Chantelle Cameron vs. Victoria Bustos, for Cameron’s WBC/IBF women’s junior welterweight title, London (DAZN).
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Danny Dignum, middleweights; Jamel Herring vs. Jamaine Ortiz, lightweights, Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).
Christopher Diaz vs. Miguel Beltran, featherweights, Orlando, Florida (Bally’s Sports Net)
Tevin Farmer vs. Mickey Bey, lightweights; Isaac Dogboe vs. Eugene Lagos, featherweights, Accra, Ghana (pay-per-view).
