Weekend Fight Previews: David Lemieux vs. Curtis Stevens, Demetrius Andrade, Claressa Shields, and More

One of boxing’s early can’t miss fights headlines this weekend’s full schedule of boxing when Canada’s big slugging David Lemieux (36-3, 32 KO’s) squares off with the “Cerebral Assassin”, Curtis Stevens (29-5, 21 KO’s).

This middleweight matchup is nothing short of good matchmaking. Both men love a tussle and would rather not bother trying to catch you. If you blink you might miss it.

Odds makers have the younger Lemieux as a slight betting favorite at -425, with the New Yorker at +340. It makes sense, too, seeing as Lemieux has looked better in his recent outings and has shown more versatility. Lemieux, for instance, was able to track down Hassan N’Dam repeatedly, while Stevens had the same man box rings around him.

Yuriorkis Gamboa (25-1, 17 KO’s) also contends on the same night, on the same card, against recent Jayson Velez-conqueror, Rene Alvarado (24-7, 16 KO’s). So long as Gamboa still has half of the goods he used to possess, which were tremendous, he should overcome Alvarado fairly easily.

Other fights include: Jack Culcay vs. Demetrius Andrade in Germany for some lowly trinket but which should keep Andrade active and looking good; Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Anuar Salas in Estrada’s first big move to 115 in an effort to play with the big boys; Claressa Shields vs. Szilvia Szabados, I believe the first ShoBox card to have two females headlining; Antonio Nieves vs. Nikolay Potapov, in what looks to be an intriguing bout between two rising prospects; Jamie Conlan vs. Yader Cardoza, a showcase fight for Conlan; Richard Commey vs. Hedi Slimani, where Commey gets back on track; Michael Katsidis vs. Josh King go at it; and Paddy Barnes vs. Adrian Garzon, the former Olympic medalist’s second fight.

Prospect watch: Yves Ulysse Jr (12-0, 8 KO’s), the Canadian 140-pounder. Really, it’s whoever wins his fight with Zachary Ochoa (16-0, 7 KO’s). Part of me has a suspicion that it may be the Quebec resident because he seems to have an edge in ability but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ochoa pull it out.

BAD: Lemieux vs. Stevens (HBO Boxing)