David Benavidez dominated David Lemieux in last night’s Showtime main event, getting a third round stoppage over the Canadian born fighter to claim the interim WBC super middleweight title.
David Benavidez Stops David Lemieux Early to Claim Interim Title
Benavidez (26-0, 23 KO) was piecing up Lemieux (43-5, 36 KO) really bad at the end of the first round, knocking Lemieux down into the ropes for the first knockdown of the fight.
Referee Harvey Dock said after the fight that he was going to stop the fight right then and there, but as soon as he made the instinct to go in to stop the fight the bell rang—Lemieux quite literally got saved by the bell.
The next two rounds were more of the same punishment for Lemieux, despite showing a resilient and fighting heart to continue to stand and bang even though he was receiving the harder punches.
The middle of the third round was when Lemieux’s corner decided to notify the referee to stop the fight for the health of their fighter as it was just imminent that a harsh stoppage was in the horizon.
There is not much to debate about here. David Benavidez was the bigger, stronger, younger and better fighter. The promotion going into the fight was “two bulls going at each other” and despite that both men did stand and bang, it was the Phoenix native who was just the more equipped fighter for that style of combat.
You have to respect Lemieux for showing heart and grit but at 168 lbs. he was going against arguably the best fighter in the division behind Canelo Alvarez.
“He’s a special type of breed,” Benavidez said of Lemieux’s toughness.
“He’s the only one who had the balls to take the fight with me.”
When asked about potential fights against Jermall Charlo, Caleb Plant, David Morell Jr or his now WBC Mandatory bout with Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez replied:
“I’m waiting to be sent a contract. Them bitches know what’s up, I’m right here waiting for them. I’m not scared of nobody. I’m the youngest guy, three-time world champion.”
As mentioned, David Benavidez is the WBC interim super middleweight champion now and it is the third time in his career he has laid claim to the WBC belt. Canelo Alvarez holds the WBC belt at 168 lbs. It is entirely possible Canelo could be moved to ‘franchise’ champion much like they did with him at 160 lbs. and elevated Jermall Charlo.
Meanwhile for Lemieux when asked about Benavidez he replied:
“Benavidez is a hell of a fighter, congratulations, After the first round, I was OK. He got me with some good shots. I came back, but I gotta give him the respect. He’s a very good fighter. He’s got good hands, good movement.”
Lemieux proceeded to shake hands with Benavidez.
David Lemieux still 33-years-old may be done with having elite title aspirations, but fights such as Daniel Jacobs or perhaps Jaime Munguia are entirely plausible.
Main Image:Embed from Getty Images
