David Lemieux has been giving as good as he’s received in the trash talk department ahead of this weekend’s world title shot.

He challenges WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders tomorrow night live on HBO in a fight that on paper at least, is very tight.

Lemieux will have home advantage fighting on Canadian soil l but Saunders by all accounts is in the shape (mentally and physically) of his life fighting under new trainer Dominic Ingle.

Sometimes when a fighter moves trainers they can be a fighter reborn. Time will tell on Saturday night in this regard.

Lemieux while respectful of Saunders’ boxing ability, has warned the Englishman he’ll need to back up his words this weekend:

“Let’s see for how long you will be able to back up those words and put them together again this Saturday. I’m well aware of your abilities, I hope you are aware of mine. I’m not just a puncher. People like to see blood and big punches, and that’s what they’ll see on Saturday.”

The bout will be on HBO in the States and BoxNation in the UK.

Photo credit: Vincent Ethier / Eye of the Tiger Management