Billy Joe Saunders-David Lemieux winner has potential to complicate Canelo-Golovkin talks

In a division that includes three-belt champion Gennady Golovkin and former two-division champion Canelo Alvarez, Billy Joe Saunders’ reign as a middleweight champion has deservedly earned sneers.

Saturday night in Canada is his opportunity to thrust himself into legitimacy.

The mouthy World Boxing Organization champion from England, Saunders (25-0, 12 knockouts) ventures to Bell Place near Montreal to meet former International Boxing Federation champion David Lemieux (38-3, 33 KOs) in an HBO-televised main event that airs at 6:40 p.m. Pacific.

Saunders, a traveler like his troubled countryman and former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, became champion in 2015 with a majority decision victory over Andy Lee, and has defended the belt twice with two decision victories without a score better than 117-111.

“There are a lot of fans in England who’ve written to me because they don’t like Saunders, and they want me to get rid of him,” Lemieux said. “I’ll do everyone a favor, I’ll take care of him.

“I will drop him and I will hurt him.”

Canada’s Lemieux, 28, dared to meet Golovkin two years ago in his first title defense. The thinking was he’d gain a handsome purse and either pull the upset or learn something, to improve and fight another day.

Golovkin won by eighth-round technical knockout at Madison Square Garden, and Lemieux has followed with four straight convincing triumphs, including two knockouts.

Lemieux’s stronger fan base led to the bout’s placement in the challenger’s hometown. All the more reason, Saunders said, to define a potential Saturday victory as impressive, and worth the division’s class.

“I’m used to fighting outside the U.K., I’m a traveler of the world,” Saunders told reporters at a media workout this week. “I don’t care if there’s a million people. It’s just me and him in that ring. As for the rest, I don’t care.

“David has no chance of winning, and I’m convinced that he will not make the distance against me.”

Lemieux especially could potentially become a powerful bargaining chip for Alvarez, who has yet to finalize a rematch with Golovkin following their September draw.

Since both Lemieux and Alvarez are promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, striking a deal for those two to fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend would be far easier if Golovkin balks at De La Hoya’s terms.

Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler told The Times this week that he “should know by the end of next week,” whether the Alvarez-Golovkin rematch will be made for May.

Lemieux is determined to do his part.

“I’m excited just to lay my hands on Billy Joe Saunders,” Lemieux said. “He’s got a big mouth. It’s rare I see fighters with such a big mouth. … It’s actually going to be hell for him.”

Saunders, too, said, “I would love to fight Canelo Alvarez. … If I come to Canada to spank David, I will go to Las Vegas [or] Mexico, wherever they want.”

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