Eye of the Tiger Management is hoping to convince the World Boxing Council (WBC) to pit David Lemieux to fight Turkey’s Avni Yildirim for the vacant super-middleweight title, a title that doesn’t seem to want to stay around the same size for long a few years.
The title has been vacant since its ex-holder, David Benavidez, failed to match his title defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo last August.
With a blank slate, the WBC wished to lure Saul “Canelo” Alvarez into its fold by organising a tender to pit the Mexican mega star faces Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs), No. 2 contender of the body.
World Boxing Association super champion Alvarez on the other hand, has instead opted to face Callum Smith for the WBA title on December 19.
Lemieux (42-4, 35 KOs), also ranked third in the WBA and fifth in the WBO, is said to be in his third fight at the 168 pounds, after split decision wins over Maksym Bursak and by KO against Francy Ntetu, on October 10.
Estephan will be supported by Golden Boy Promotion in his approach to the WBC. He could not say for the moment which place would be privileged for the holding of the duel, which should be presented in camera.
Golden Boy has presented a few events in California since the start of the pandemic, while EOTTM has so far presented two galas, in Shawinigan and Rimouski, both times behind closed doors.
Yildirim is originally from Turkey, but is now based in Germany. After a head clash, Yildirim suffered a technical decision loss to Dirrell who, in turn, lost the WBC title to David Benavidez.
The title is now vacant after Benavidez failed to make weight, the governing body ordered for it to be contested between Canelo and Yildirim.
