Boxing In Canada: Lemieux KO’s Ayala In Montreal

ByDanny Wilson

Canada’s biggest puncher was in action last night at Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium and middleweight David Lemieux lived up to his reputation in a big way.

Facing experienced and durable American veteran Elvin Ayala, the 21 year old local man stepped up to the plate and dropped his adversary three times in an explosive first round.

Ayala had attempted to gain the Canadian’s respect early by standing in front of Lemieux but that strategy proved disastrous as the Montrealer connected with riveting combinations until the bout was stopped at 2:44 of the first frame.

The result is particularly impressive given Ayala lasting until the 12th round against IBF champion Arthur Abraham in 2008 and speaks volumes about not only Lemieux’s power but his boxing ability as well.

With the victory, Lemieux, 23-0 (22), captures the vacant WBC International middleweight title and is now in line for a world title opportunity.

Ayala drops to 20-5-1 (9), and has now lost two on the bounce.

Two other big names in Canadian boxing were on the bill but neither fared nearly as well as Lemieux.

Ex-middleweight world title challenger Sebastien Demers, 31-3 (11), saw a six fight win streak at super middle evaporate against American hard man Brian Vera, 17-4 (11), who reversed a three bout losing stretch by dropping Demers before finishing the job at 1:57 of the third frame.

Former Canadian heavyweight king Patrice L’Heureux, 24-5-1 (13), might be at the end of the line as the 38 year old was stopped in the fifth by local prospect Wayne John, 4-0 (2).

Mexican novice Alfredo Chavez, 5-1 (3), pulled off the biggest upset of the night with a shocking second round KO of one of Canada’s top welterweight prospects, Manolis Plaitis, 15-1-1 (7).

Another Mexican spoiler was on the bill but Adrian Valdez, 19-8-3 (11), couldn’t pull it off against lightweight Tony Luis, 9-0 (3), who stopped the Ciudad Juarez veteran in the fifth.

Local welter Kevin Bizier, (11-0 (7), stayed perfect when Mexico’s Johnny Navarrete, 14-4-1 (7), was unable to answer the bell for the eighth and final round.