CANADIAN middleweight David Lemieux was hoping his undercard clash with Tureano Johnson at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (December15) would put him in the frame for a lucrative contest with WBC and WBA champion Canelo Alvarez. But ahead of the weigh in Lemieux had to pull out of the contest the day before the fight, dehydrated and drained from trying to make weight. His hopes of fighting Canelo Alvarez have therefore endured a major setback.
”Due to health concerns, David Lemieux was taken to the hospital for evaluation,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of The Tiger Management. “He was considerably weakened by the process of making weight. There were concerns regarding his vital signs and was immediately taken to the hospital to be in the hands of medical staff. Tests are being administered to ensure his safety and health as well as IV treatment for re-hydration. He is currently kept in the hospital hence we have taken the decision to cancel his bout.”
He did not attend the weigh in but Lemieux would leave hospital later on in the day. ““The safety of our fighters is always of the highest concern to us,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “Though we understand that David Lemieux is in stable condition, we must always execute precaution when dealing with the health of our fighters, especially since we know the consequence of improperly cutting weight. That said, we have spoken with our partners at Eye of The Tiger Management and have cancelled this fight. We wish Lemieux the very best and know that he will come back stronger than ever.”
Vergil Ortiz is also off the card. In a statement Golden Boy Promotions said: ““The New York State Athletic Commission did not allow Vergil Ortiz Jr. to fight due to a rule preventing fighters who have had Lasik eye surgery from fighting. Ortiz Jr. had Lasik eye surgery in early October and thus will not be able to fight.”
