Photo by Tom Hogan / Hoganphotos-Golden Boy Promotions

LAS VEGAS – Oscar De La Hoya included an amusing joke in his formal introduction of David Lemieux as the newest client of Golden Boy Promotions.

“I would have to say that he is probably the best-looking fighter today ÔǪ and that’s because I’m retired,” De La Hoya said to a group of reporters at the MGM Grand, the site of tonight’s Bermane Stiverne-Deontay Wilder fight.

Lemieux is no joke, though. The French-Canadian has room to grow as a boxer but is a fan-friendly puncher who aims to maim every time he throws a punch, one reason Golden Boy is pleased to have him on board.

Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Mangement will co-promote Lemieux.

“I love his explosiveness, his power, his willingness to go out there and put it all on the line,” De La Hoya said. “He’s a smart boxer, too. He can use footwork, lateral movement. But it’s his power that everyone respects.”

Lemieux has won eight consecutive fights – seven by knockout – since back-to-back losses to Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine derailed his career in 2011.

He is coming off a 10th-round knockout of tough Gabriel Rosado on Dec. 6 at Barclays Center in New York. That fight was on HBO, which gave Lemieux the widest exposure of his career. With Golden Boy, he hopes to continue his ascension.

“I want to associate myself with the best because we consider ourselves the best,” he said.

Lemieux and Co. don’t know who he will face next or when, although De La Hoya mentioned March or May as possibilities. He and Lemieux also mentioned Gennady Golovkin, who most people believe is the best middleweight in the world. However, it’s probably too early to go there.

Another possibility in the near future is Canelo Alvarez, who is looking for an opponent after his proposed fight against Miguel Cotto failed to materialize.

Camille Estephan, Lemieux’s manager, said his fighter is willing to face anyone – including Golovkin – if he gets the right deal.

“The one thing I like about Lemieux is that he’s willing to fight anybody. He’s willing to fight the very best,” De La Hoya said. “ÔǪ He’s still growing, still learning. We haven’t seen his full potential. That is very exciting.”