Who wins David Lemieux-Gabriel Rosado?

Dec

David Lemieux-Gabriel Rosado w De La Hoya rich kane_Hoganphotos-GBP

David Lemieux has predicted a “head-on collision” against Gabriel Rosado, who claims it will be “time to get that monkey off my back” when they meet on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on HBO.

The 25-year-old Lemieux (32-2, 30 knockouts) is riding a seven-bout winning streak that has included six knockouts into his middleweight clash with Rosado (21-8, 13 KOs), a 28-year-old who has been in against unbeaten boxers in his past four bouts, each a losing effort.

Lemieux was an undefeated 22-year-old middleweight prospect entering 2011, having gone 5-0 with four consecutive knockouts over the course of 2010 heading into a WBC title eliminator against hard-hitting Marco Antonio Rubio in April.

But Rubio stopped Lemieux in the seventh round, a loss followed by another in December of that year via majority decision to then 35-year-old former WBA junior middleweight titleholder Joachim Alcine.

“You know, I think that you learn from fights like that. I have a seasoned record if you look at mine. So I can fight,” said Rosado. “I’m not going to look too deep into his losses and I think that he’s a better fighter since then. I’m training for the best David Lemieux.”

More than three years later, Lemieux is coming off a resounding victory over former title challenger Fernando Guerrero, dropping the southpaw four times en route to a sensational third-round stoppage in May.

Rosado, meanwhile, is winless against unbeaten boxers over the course of his past four bouts, being bloodied and stopped in two title challenges, suffering a disputed split decision loss-turned-no-decision in a third bout and losing by a wide unanimous decision in the fourth.

In January 2013, Rosado lost via bloody seventh-round stoppage to WBA middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin, ending his run of seven straight victories, five by knockout. In May 2013, Rosado lost a split decision in to J’Leon Love that became the no-decision after Love failed his post-fight drug examination.

In October 2013, Rosado rose from a second-round knockdown and was very much in contention en route to a 10th-round TKO loss to then-WBO middleweight titleholder Peter Quillin, a fight that was halted due to a severe cut over Rosado’s left eyelid.

After those three fights as a 160-pounder, Rosado returned to 154 in January, only to be cut yet again over the left eye during a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Jermell Charlo.

“I don’t care what everybody thinks about Gabriel Rosado. Whenever they give me a fighter, I don’t care about whatever is said outside about him. I just take whatever they give me and we just start studying our subject. We’ve been studying Gabriel Rosado for a while now and we’ve been training to perfection to fight him. We’re not taking nothing lightly,” said Lemieux.

“Gabriel Rosado is a very good fighter and he’s very durable. He’s been in there with a lot of tough guys, so I’m not really listening to anybody. Any fighter can be dangerous and, for sure, he’s still young and he’s still fresh and he’s not beaten up and he’s going to come to fight. He still has a lot of gas left and he’s going to bring good stuff to the table. But once he meets me, it’s going to be a head-on collision.”

The results of the RingTV.com poll taken from 22 insiders regarding Lemieux-Rosado are as follows.

Stephen Donatelli, guest/fan, Pittsburgh, PA.

Gabriel Rosado TKO 10 David Lemieux: This scrap has all the necessary ingredients to be a “Fight of the Year” candidate. “King” Gabriel Rosado, from Philadelphia, is tougher than a $2 steak. Just ask Gennady Golovkin or Peter Quillin.

David Lemieux packs dynamite in both fists as indicated by his 30 stoppages in 32 victories. But this is a must-win bout for the rugged Rosado if he wants to remain relevant in the middleweight division.

Lemieux’s riding a seven-fight winning streak following back-to-back losses to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine but I’m rolling with Rosado. His eight losses, notwithstanding, Rosado has been in with the very best.

Record: 1-0 [Last pick: Manny Pacquiao TKO 9 Chris Algieri]

Norm Frauenheim, THE RING magazine, www.15rounds.com

David Lemieux TKO 9 Gabriel Rosado: Gabe Rosado’s career is little bit like that old country-and-western lyric: If he didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all. Against an emerging David Lemieux, that figures to continue.

Rosado promises to be tough for a few rounds but Lemieux’s power and busy work rate will cut Rosado above his eyes, which are crisscrossed by a target-like web of scar tissue left by Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin.

Record: 30-9 [Last pick: Tyson Fury UD Dereck Chisora]

Jeffrey Freeman, www.KODigest.TV

David Lemieux TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado: This match-up looks like a tale of two fighters going in opposite directions. The up-and-comer is David Lemieux and the prospect of him tangling with Gennady Golovkin is enticing.

Gabe Rosado is a tough guy with a great chin and we all know this. But he loses the big ones, is out of his element at middleweight and the losses are piling up. Look for a competitive, high-contact, action fight.

Look also for Rosado to gradually wear the effects of it on his face in the form of cuts and swelling. When it all gets too grotesque and the traffic too one-way, the referee will stop the fight.

Record: 23-12 [Last pick: Fury TKO 5 Chisora]

Tom Gray, RingTV.com

David Lemieux UD 12 Gabriel Rosado: This match-up makes perfect sense in that David Lemieux in on the rise and Gabriel Rosado is beatable but always delivers excitement.

The question here is whether the big punching Lemieux can deliver a stoppage against a durable and motivated opponent and I don’t think he can.

Rosado, who is up for this, will give it his all but he hasn’t won a fight in two years. So my hunch is that the younger, fresher fighter prevails by lopsided decision.

Record: 29-9 [Last pick: Fury SD 12 Chisora]

Lee Groves, RingTV.com

David Lemieux TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado: David Lemieux is at his best when he lets it rip with the combinations and forgets the scientific stuff and Gabriel Rosado’s fighting heart will give him the chance to do just that.

Also, Rosado’s facial tissues, especially the area above his left eyelid, have become vulnerable as of late. I think Lemieux’s heavier hands and younger ring age along with Rosado’s problems on defense will add up to an entertaining victory for Lemieux.

Record: 19-6 [Last pick: Chisora W 12 Fury]

Edward “Revolver” Khabrov, guest/fan, Zaporozhye City, Ukraine

Gabriel Rosado UD 12 David Lemieux: I’m going with the experience and skills of Gabriel Rosado, who, despite losing, looked competitive against J’Leon Love, Peter Quillin and Jermell Charlo.

As far as David Lemieux, he has come up short in the ring against experienced, crafty veterans like Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine.

Record: 3-2 [Wladimir Klitschko UD 12 Kubrat Pulev]

Rich Marotta, KFI Radio, Los Angeles

Gabriel Rosado TKO 10 David Lemieux: This fight defines the phrase “fan-friendly.” What a battle this should be. It’s going to be an all-out punch-out where both guys are going to land and eventually prove their bravery by withstanding the blows of the other.

Gabe Rosado may not have the better record but he has faced the better opposition, so that is forgivable. There is no fighter in boxing today who gives a more honest effort than Rosado. David Lemieux too lets it all hang out and may have the harder single punch power. However, the bigger guy by far is Rosado and he is the stronger of the two.

In a shootout like this, those physical advantages are going to count. He will have to go through some hell, which he has already proven he’s willing to do. He’ll eventually wear down Lemieux and stop him late.

Record: 25-11 [Last pick: Fury UD 12 Chisora]

Diego Morilla, XN Sports

David Lemieux W 12 Gabriel Rosado: Honestly, I’d love to give Gabriel Rosado the benefit of the doubt here. He always comes ready to fight and ready to give it all and he’s as tough as they come.

But he’s been unimpressive lately, to say the least, and takes an awful lot of punishment to stand any chances against a smooth boxer-puncher like David Lemieux. I see it as an interesting clash of styles at best, with Lemieux taking a unanimous decision punctuated by a knockdown or two.

Record: 16-9 [Last pick: Fury W 12 Chisora]

Jack Obermayer, Fight Fax Inc.

David Lemieux TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado: I can’t recall a boxer who has generated more out of a loss than Gabriel Rosado and he still loses the big ones. Pretty amazing. And here he stands again. Not saying that Rosado isn’t talented or tough enough, just that he serves as an entertaining draw.

However, his propensity to bust up has no cure and though he will be competitive, David Lemieux is the man currently on a decent win streak and that positive roll should continue. Lemieux will out-power Rosado and score with enough telling shots to finally get the ref to halt matters somewhere in late rounds. Let’s say Lemieux by TKO 10.

Record: 16-3 [Last pick: Klitschko KO 8 Pulev]

John J. Raspanti, MaxBoxing.com/Doghouseboxing.com/KO Monthly Magazine

David Lemieux TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado: Gabriel Rosado, he of the School of Hard Fights, has lost three of his last four bouts. David Lemieux moved up in competition in 2011 and lost two in a row.

Lemieux has since rebounded with seven consecutive victories against lesser opposition. Rosado has never worried about rebuilding his career. He’s a throwback fighter.

If his brittle skin holds up against the power-punching Lemieux, he’ll win the fight by decision. If not, Lemieux will bust him up. I’ll go with the latter. Lemieux wins the fight by a late stoppage.

Record: 28-11 [Last pick: Evgeny Gradovich W 12 Jayson Velez]

Matt Richardson, Fightnews.com

David Lemieux TKO Gabriel Rosado: Whoever lands the first hard punch should win this fight…or something like that. I don’t expect a lot of stylish boxing in this one.

Both men come to fight and punch and whoever does more earlier in the bout should win. Judging on recent performances, I expect that to be the harder-hitting David Lemieux.

After losing three of his last four fights – and the fourth was a loss changed to a no-contest – I thought Gabriel Rosado’s time fighting in high-profile main events had expired.

This being boxing, however, I guess I was wrong. Unless Lemieux’s unreliable chin betrays him – and it shouldn’t – I think he will win inside the distance, possibly on cuts.

Record: 22-8 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Algieri]

Cliff Rold, BoxingScene.com

Gabriel Rosado KO David Lemieux: Gabriel Rosado usually loses when the spotlight is on but he has a vulnerable guy in from of him. David Lemieux is exciting but his defense is questionable and he’s nothing Rosado hasn’t seen. This could go the other way but the sense here is Rosado is due for one.

Record: 25-12 [Last pick: Fury W 12 Chisora]

Michael Rosenthal, THE RING Magazine

David Lemieux KO 9 Gabriel Rosado: Gabriel Rosado is a solid, durable veteran with a fighter’s heart. But I don’t think he’s in David Lemieux’s class, at least not this Lemieux.

The Lemieux of a few years ago was vulnerable, as we saw when he lost to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine in back-to-back fights. Lemeiux appears to have learned his lesson though.

I think Lemeiux is focused, fit and both talented and powerful. He looked like an absolute beast in his victory over Fernando Guerrero in May.

Record: 18-5 [Last pick: Klitschko UD 12 Pulev]

Joseph Santoliquito/THE RING Magazine/RingTV.com/CBS Sports

David Lemieux W 12 Gabriel Rosado: Gabriel Rosado is always a tough out and I realize he had a nice victory in a toughman contest. But David Lemieux is now on a seven-fight win streak. We’ll see what Rosado’s new trainer, Jesse Reid, can do with him.

Record: 19-0 [Last pick: Fury KO 8 Chisora]

John Scully, trainer

David Lemieux W 12 Gabriel Rosado: I expect this to be a very good fight and one that will see some great exchanges early on. I think that Gabriel Rosado will land some stuff early and will implement a newer defensive boxing style that will cause some problems.

But sooner or later, I’d guess David Lemieux will land some big shots and turn it into a firefight that he will ultimately win with superior punching power.

Record: 18-10 [Last pick: Fury KO Chisora]

Rob Soucy, ProBoxingInsider.com

David Lemieux TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado: If David Lemieux can get by Gabe Rosado, he will be in position to challenge Gennady Golovkin sometime in 2015.

Both guys are punchers but Lemieux is the bigger man with the heavier hands. Conversely, Rosado probably has the better chin.

This is an interesting fight that could go either way but I believe that Lemieux will break Rosado down as his corner rescues him late in the fight.

Record: 18-6 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Algieri]

Bradley Starks, guest/fan, Novato, Calif.

David Lemieux KO 7 Gabriel Rosado: This will be a really fun fight for as long as it lasts. Gabriel Rosado will likely press forward the entire fight while David Lemieux swings for the fences in search of the highlight reel knockout.

Unfortunately for the game Philly-born Puerto Rican, he’s been in quite a few wars lately, which tends to result in a short shelf life. Think Michael Katsidis. He’ll fight his ass off but Rosado loses on cuts in seven.

Record: 16-3 [Last pick: Fury KO 11 Chisora]

Tim Starks, The Queensberry Rules

Gabriel Rosado UD 12 David Lemieux: This match-up of fringe contenders is more interesting than might otherwise be because of how difficult it is to forecast.

David Lemieux has a fight-ending knockout punch but Gabriel Rosado has stayed on his feet pretty well since 2009, only getting stopped via accumulation of blows or cuts, even withstanding Gennady Golovkin’s nutso power.

The last time Lemieux fought a resilient, low-defense opponent who could box a little, Marco Antonio Rubio, it derailed his career for years. Rosado might have lost three of his last four and functionally lost the fourth, a no-contest, in the boxing ring.

But he is coming off a “Big Knockout Boxing” win over Bryan Vera that was a solid performance. I’ll go with Rosado by unanimous decision after he frustrates Lemieux early by withstanding the early dynamite and takes control late.

Record: 1-0 [Last pick: Pacquiao UD 12 Algieri]

Steve Stubbs, guest, Germantown, Md.

David Lemieux KO Gabriel Rosado: In the bout between David Lemieux and Gabriel Rosado, I have to lean toward Lemieux. Rosado always seems to come up short when he’s stepping up the level of competition and given the KO percentage from Lemieux, I think this one will end by KO mid rounds. And probably due to cuts inflicted on Rosado.

Record: 2-0 [Last pick: Sergey Kovalev mid-rounds KO Bernard Hopkins]

Dominic Verdin, RingTV.com

Gabriel Rosado TKO 10 David Lemieux: David Lemieux, the puncher, needs to be the puncher that night and Gabriel Rosado, the brawler, needs to be brawler. Both men will deliver but Rosado will pull the upset of the night.

Record: 26-8 [Last pick: Fury KO 5 Chisora]

Anson Wainwright, RingTV.com

David Lemieux TKO 7 Gabriel Rosado: This is an interesting match-up of two come-forward fighters. David Lemieux has come back from two losses to leave a trail of destruction in his wake.

Gabriel Rosado was the hard-nosed guy giving the likes of Gennady Golovkin, J’Leon Love, Peter Quillin and Jermell Charlo rounds before he stopped Bryan Vera over the summer.

Rosado is a tough Philly fighter who will come to win. The two will exchange and though Rosado will have his moments, I see Lemieux’s greater offense winning the day, breaking Rosado down and forcing the stoppage in the second half of the fight.

Record: 26-9 [Last pick: Fury W 12 Chisora]

Abe Wiggington, guest/fan, Arlington, Texas

David Lemieux W 12 Gabriel Rosado: We’re looking at a very competitive fight between David Lemieux and Gabriel Rosado, whose advantage is his battle-tested experience fighting some of the top middleweights, including Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin.

Lemieux may have an edge in power with 30 KO’s in 32 fights. Age shouldn’t be a factor with Rosado, 28, and Lemieux, 25. I think Lemieux wins on points.

Record: 1-1 [Last pick: Shawn Porter SD 12 Paulie Malignaggi]

By the one-sided margin of 16-6, the insiders favor David Lemieux to win Saturday’s middleweight bout against Gabriel Rosado.

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