Former world champion David Lemieux retires from boxing

Former world champion David Lemieux recently announced his retirement. The Quebec, Canada, born and raised Lemieux, one of the hardest pure punchers during his time in the sport, leaves boxing one impressive resume. 
 
Lemieux turned pro as a teenager after a strong amateur career that saw him as a (multiple time) national champion. As a pro, he amassed an excellent 43 wins in 48 fights with only seven wins going the distance, totally an impressive 36 knockouts. Lemieux could box, but what made him a huge fan favorite was the fight-ending power he possessed in both hands. Very popular in his home province of Quebec, the well-spoken, multi-lingual boxer attracted the attention of boxings largest networks with his exciting style. 

Turning pro in the spring of 2007, he would go undefeated in his first three years and 25 fights, amassing an

outstanding 24 KOs in that span. After back-to-back losses in 2011, Lemieux bounced back with nine straight wins over the next few years, including a highlight reel stoppage of Gabriel Rosado. 

In June 2015, he beat Hassan N’Dam over 12 rounds to capture the IBF middleweight title in front of his hometown fans in Montreal. That title win led to a fight with superstar Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After losing to Golovkin, he would return the following spring and start a four-fight win streak, including a concussive, highlight reel KO of contender Curtis Stevens. 

The win over Stevens earned him a December 2016 world title shot back in his home in Quebec against WBO champ Billy Saunders; he would lose a 12-round decision. Then, Lemieux would score five wins over the next three years, all by KO. 

In that run, he scored another ‘play of the week" by flattening contender Gary O’Sullivan in the first round. Lemieux closed off his career this past May, losing to (the naturally bigger) David Benavidez, in Arizona, in a final world title shot for the WBC interim title. 

Lemieux retires with an impressive 43 wins in 48 fights and a reputation as one of boxing’s best punchers during his time. He fought for a world title four times. Fans in Quebec, and boxing fans the world over, will look back with fond memories of the many times watching David Lemieux under boxing’s brightest lights. 

In a recent press release, Lemieux said, “I’ve accomplished a lot in the course of my career. I achieved my dream of becoming world champion. I’ve given the fans rousing fights by accepting every challenge that came my way. I devoted my life to training for boxing, and now I want to cherish every minute with my family. I accomplished a lot, but I didn’t do it alone. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who supported and encouraged me throughout my career. Thank you to the (Eye of the Tiger Management) team, especially Camille (Estephan) and (trainer) Marc (Ramsay), two exceptional men.”

Enjoy your retirement champ - you have earned it.