To risk great loss against almost certain peril requires an internal quality. It is an essence that allows an individual to face otherwise insurmountable odds as a needed challenge in life. Instead of delaying an inevitable, it is rushing to the outcome. In Vegas, it is called betting the farm. In life, it is called playing with balls.
It has taken almost 4 years for David Lemieux to regain his status as a feared middleweight contender and champion. Back to back losses in 11 against Rubio and Alcine spurred a nine win streak by Lemieux that climaxed with a vacant IBF title in June. At 23 David Lemieux was facing obscurity but at 26 he has a new lease on life as a middleweight champion. Time for a sunset win and a guaranteed title on the Lemieux mantle at Christmas. Right?
Any report following Lemieuxs’ IBF title win had him facing his assigned mandatory challenger to end the year. Why? Simply because unless special circumstances are granted, the only caveat to the rule is an unification defense. Since Cotto has Alvarez and Lee has Saunders, the only remaining middleweight champion is Gennady Golovkin. Popular thought as a middleweight suggests to avoid Golovkin as long as possible.
Golovkin is arguably the most avoided man in boxing today and he probably should be. He is an Olympic silver medalist from 2004 and in his professional career no one has seen the cards against him since 2008. For him to find opposition the fighter usually falls into the category of nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Until now…
David Lemieux has chosen an unification title fight against Golovkin in place of his mandatory. It will take place on October 17th and will be broadcast via HBO PPV. To 99% of the world, Lemieuxs’ decision to skip his IBF challenger for a title defense against Gennady Golovkin in October doesn’t make sense. Then again, like The Iron Sheik would say “that’s why he is legend and we are not.”
Regardless of what happens in October for David, it is very hard not to admire his character and how he approaches life. He possesses an internal quality most only wish they had. To have the courage to risk everything against insurmountable odds, with a self belief that one can truly succeed.
