The October 17 HBO pay-per-view main event between middleweight titleholders and sluggers Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux is picking up some buzz, and yesterday at his fighter's workout, Golovkin trainer Abel Sanchez spoke on that bout, plus gave his thoughts on Andre Ward's recent statements that Golovkin turned down a fight with him.
About Lemieux (34-2, 31 KO), Sanchez said he was hopeful of an action fight, and believes that Lemieux can provide that if he follows up on his talk.
"I hope for me and for you and for all the fight fans, that he does what he says he's gonna do, and he tries to do what he says he's gonna do. If that's the case, he's gonna give us a great fight and a great night, however long it goes," Sanchez said.
He added: "If Lemieux does what he says he's gonna do, and he comes at Gennady, I think we're gonna be treated to a Hagler-Hearns fight."
Before a full question could even be asked about Ward's comments, Sanchez cut it off and went to town.
"Andre Ward's a liar. When he sent that email, it was after the Lemieux fight had already signed," he said. "So he's a liar. Secondly, we've been trying to get Andre Ward to come to some kind of agreement for the last couple years. First, he was in trouble with Goossen, they were suing each other, and Goossen beat him three times.
"Then he signed with Roc Nation. Go back and look at the transcripts, the first thing Roc Nation said was he needs two tune-up fights. Then he fights one at 172. We as Golovkin's team cannot sit around waiting for Andre Ward to make up his mind what he wants to do."