As most fans already know, powerful slugger and former IBF middleweight world champion David Lemieux (36-3 32KO’s) will make his return to the ring on Saturday March 11^th to take on knockout artist and former world title challenger Curtis Stevens (29-5 21KO’s).  The bout will be televised live on HBO at 11pm Eastern and will take place at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona New York. 

David Lemieux burst onto the professional boxing scene in 2007 as a hot prospect with an exciting style and punching power.  He quickly started racking up KO wins after his debut, gradually stepping up in competition.  Everything seemed to be going well for the young puncher from Quebec who seemed to have a bright future ahead until he fought middleweight contender Marco Antonio Rubio in April of 2011.  In that fight, Lemieux was defeated by TKO in what was considered a major upset.  After controlling most of the fight and doing well, Lemieux seemingly gassed out and got taken out by the veteran Mexican fighter.  However, since that fight Lemieux switched trainers and rebuilt himself as a fighter and managed to eventually go on to win the IBF world title.  He ended up losing it in his very next fight when he tried to unify titles with Gennady Golovkin but has since gone on a two fight win streak which includes a stoppage win over former prospect Glen Tapia.  David Lemieux stands at 5’9 ½ and possesses a 70 inch reach.  He has good physical strength and great punching power. He usually likes to plod forward throwing big overhand right hands and big left hooks.  He is not a defensive wizard by any means and he’s always looking to hurt and get his opponent out of there. 

Curtis Stevens on the other hand is a heavy hitter himself and has plenty of highlight real KO’s to his name.  He stands at 5’7 in height with a 71 ½ inch reach.  Stevens is extremely short for the middleweight division but he has one punch knockout power at the weight.  As an amateur he fought in heavier weight classes and is used to fighting much bigger people.  However, his biggest problem is letting his hands go.  All too often, he has fallen into the pattern of looking for that one big counter punch to get his opponent out of there.  Instead, what he should be worried about is just letting his hands go and win rounds and shouldn’t be forcing the knock out. 

Personally speaking,  I’m looking forward to this fight very much and it’s not because of it’s importance but for the excitement and explosion it guarantees!