By Steve Kim

It was the stinging left-jab of Gennady Golovkin that keyed his dominant performance over David Lemieux this past weekend at the Madison Square Garden in New York. By stopping Lemieux in eight rounds, Golovkin now has possession of the WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight titles. 

Golovkin is known for his punishing left-hook and powerful right hand, but on this night, his jab truly set the table.

Oscar De La Hoya, who's company Golden Boy Promotions represents Lemieux - and had a good stick of his own - was impressed by Golovkin's.

"I loved the jab, excellent work with the jab. Surprised a lot of people."

Not only did his jab key Golovkin's offensive attack, it kept the hard-punching Lemieux at bay.

''Lemieux's used to throwing a lot of combinations, really strong power punches and credit to 'Triple G' that he used his jab. He was very smart," said De La Hoya, who then added later.

"But the one thing about 'Triple G' is he's all about power, nothing else. He's all about power.  It's a power jab and it's a power hook and a power right hand and in the meantime he's leaving himself wide open."

So like Max Schmeling before his fight with an undefeated Joe Louis, he 'sees something'?

"Oh absolutely," said Oscar with a smile, to the gathered media at the post-fight press conference.

"You're talking to a fight who fought everybody."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com