Lemieux-Rosado To Air Live At Bute-Bolonti 12/6 Show

By Jake Donovan

With some of the most notable names in the Canadian boxing scene spread out between Montreal and New York on December 6, those with a vested interest in both events found a creative way to merge the two worlds. 

David Lemieux’ stateside debut—a middleweight showdown with Gabriel Rosado at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY—will be shown live on an overhead screen for the viewing pleasure of fans in attendance at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The bout will air via live feed at a non-conflicting time from on-location action featuring Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal in separate light heavyweight bouts.

“We have a former IBF champion in Lucian, a former WBC champion and (lineal) champion in Pascal and one of the most exciting middleweights in the world in David Lemieux, all on the same night,” points out Jean Bedard, president of Interbox, who promotes the show in Montreal. 

Bute (31-2, 24KOs) faces Argentina’s Roberto Bolonti in the evening’s main event, fighting for the first time since a wide points loss to Pascal in January.

Despite claiming the win in the matchup of Canada’s two biggest box-office attractions, Pascal (29-2-1, 17KOs) agreed to accept assignment on the evening’s undercard. The former lineal light heavyweight king will face Donovan ‘Don Da Bomb’ George in the chief support, while still eyeing a mandatory title shot at countryman and current lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson, who returns December 19 in an optional defense versus Dmitry Sukhotsky. 

While Bute and Pascal attempt to win big for the local crowd, Lemieux (32-2, 30KOs) crosses the Canadian border for a fight that doubles as his first in the United States and on HBO. The middleweight puncher has won seven straight since suffering back-to-back losses in 2011. 

His most recent ring appearance came in May, knocking out Fernando Guerrero in three rounds in a supporting bout to Stevenson’s 12-round win over Andrzej Fonfara. Both bouts aired live in the U.S., with Stevenson making his Showtime-televised debut, while Lemieux’ appearance came on Showtime’s sister network, SHO Extreme. 

As the nation’s biggest stars plan to expand their brands, the local promoters intend to stay ahead of the curve and still give fans as much exposure as possible to the progress of their respective careers.

“Events such as this is the platform we will be working with in 2015,” Bedard said of the split-site offering. “It’s the type of card the fans deserve and get excited to see.”

Lemieux’ bout with Rosado will not be included on the Canada Pay-Per-View show featuring Bute and Pascal; its involvement with the card will be limited to the live screening at the Bell Centre. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the

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