DAVID LEMIEUX hammered the frightfully brave Gabriel Rosado into 10th round defeat at the Barclays Center in New York.
The middleweight slugger – making his HBO debut – is being lined up for a 2015 shot at WBA champion Gennady Golovkin and this thrashing of gatekeeper Rosado will have impressed.
Lemieux began quickly, dropping a dazed Rosado in the third with an uppercut. The Canadian attacked his prey, battered him around the ring and by the time the bell sounded, Rosado’s face was bruised and bleeding.
“He’s a good fighter, man. It was difficult seeing when my eye puffed up,” Rosado said. “I saw three of him the whole fight. I was trying to fight and counter as best as I could with one eye. Just my luck.”
Facial injuries have hampered Rosado throughout his career – an indication of the type of fighter he is – and he was forced to abandon his gameplan and chase a miracle victory. The tactics resulted in a gloriously entertaining fourth round, and some exhilarating exchanges. But Lemiuex was accurate and patient, and can certainly make a case for entry into the Top 10 with this victory.
“Hats off to Rosado. He is one hell of a fighter,” Lemieux said. “I had tremendous preparation. I wanted to show all of you what I could do. I wanted to make a statement. Rosado is even better than I thought. I hope you enjoyed it.”
Golovkin prepares for ‘toughest fight’
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