Montreal, January 21st 2011: It’s official! 22 year old knockout artist David Lemieux (25-0-0, 24KO), currently ranked #2 in the world by the WBC will face his toughest test to date on Friday December 8th under the shining lights of Montreal’s Bell Centre as he takes on against 30 year old Mexican slugger and WBC #3 ranked contender Marco Antonio Rubio (49-5-1, 42KO) for a chance at becoming the mandatory challenger to the WBC world title. This WBC middleweight championship eliminator will act as the thrilling main event to the final installment of Groupe Yvon Michel’s FAST AND FURIOUS boxing series, and marks the first time Lemieux will face a true world title contender.
Mandated by the WBC at their annual convention this past November in Cancun, world title elimination bout see the winner become the mandatory challenger to the title and earn a guaranteed shot at the WBC world champion of the division. The purse bid was set to take place earlier today in Mexico City. With only moments to go before the opening of the envelopes containing the offers set forth by each competing promoter, GYM’s official representative, Mr. Don Majesky finalized a deal with Rubio’s promoter Mr. Oswaldo Kuchle, securing the rights for this championship to be promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel.
The path to world championship glory is clear for the charismatic puncher from Laval. The current WBC middleweight world champion is Germany’s undefeated Sebastien Zbik (30-0-0, 10KO), 28 years old. He inherited the crown when the WBC elevated 2010’s fighter of the year, 35-year-old Argentine Sergio Martinez (46-2-2, 25KO), to Champion Emeritus. Zbik must defend his throne against the popular “Son of the Legend” Julio Chavez Jr. (41-0-0, 30KO), 24, of Culiacan, Mexico, in a championship bout proposed to take place this May in Mexico City. The winner of that fight will then be allowed to take one optional defense of his title before defending his belt against the winner of the April 8th eliminator between Lemieux and Rubio.
“I am thrilled with this news and very excited about all the possibilities that are waiting for me after I win this fight. I would like to thank GYM, as well as my entire team, who have steered me brilliantly to where I am standing right now. I know that it is now up to me alone to pass this test and enter the next chapter of my career. Rubio has a ton of experience and they tell me that he packs a hard punch, but now we’ll see if he can take one too” said the young Lemieux.
With Lemieux now a maximum of 2 victories away from the WBC world title, his ascent to the middleweight throne will definitely be a compelling show to follow.
Yet that is not the only compelling show to follow in Montreal right now, as the card has been announced for the upcoming third installment of the FAST AND FURIOUS series on February 11th, featuring two more of the city’s world title contenders: Antonin Décarie (24-1-0, 7KO) faces off against Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (21-3-0, 12KO) and JoJo Dan (27-1-0 15KO) goes toe-to-toe with former world champion Steve Forbes (38-5-0, 11KO).
In great news for US fight fans, GYM has announced that both of these final two installments of their FAST AND FURIOUS series on February 11th and April 8th will air LIVE across the United States as part of ESPN2’s highly acclaimed “Friday Night Fights”.
“When we first set out to create this new FAST AND FURIOUS boxing series, it was planned precisely for this reason: as a way for our fighters to take the necessary steps needed to attain their goals of becoming World Champions. David Lemieux has defeated each and every one of the opponents put in front of him since the start of his career in thrilling fashion. In Rubio, he will face veteran warrior, himself a KO specialist who is at his physical peak at 30 years of age. I have no doubt that our young protégé will shine brighter than ever and show the entire world what all the hype is about.” said the enthusiastic president of GYM, Yvon Michel.
This is your invitation to GYM’s FAST AND FURIOUS boxing series, a new and innovative concept where every seat in the Bell Centre puts you in the heart of the action. Season tickets are still available for the final two installments of the series, an option that guarantees that you get your choice of the best seats in the house. Both events will also be available on demand through Canal Indigo, Bell TV and Shaw TV.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Tickets are available now at the Bell Centre Box Office, evenko.ca or through GYM (514.383.0666) starting at $60.