“I hope he learns to be humble” – David Lemieux feels he taught Spike O’Sullivan a lesson

David Lemieux believes he taught Spike O’Sullivan a humbling lesson on Saturday night.

After plenty of verbal sparring ahead of their world title final eliminator on the undercard of the massive Gennady Golovkin v Canelo Alvarez middleweight title rematch, the former IBF champion landed the first significant blow of the clash and the Cork fighter never recovered.

A devastating left hook in the first round put O’Sullivan down heavy and referee Russell Mora stopped the fight on 2:44 with Spike attempting to get back to his feet but being in absolutely no position to continue.

Post a win that could see Lemieux [40(34)-4(2)] get a shot at Canelo and his newly acquired titles, Lemieux was keen to point out the knock out punch was supplemented by pent up frustration.

The French-Canadian admitted he was annoyed by O’Sullivan’s ‘trash talk’ in the build up and suggests it played a part in the venom he brought into the clash.

Lemieux began extremely fast, unloading big shots on the Celtic Warriors man before stopping him when O’Sullivan [28(20)-3(2)] tried to set up a right hand of his own

“Don’t mess with me – when O’Sullivan talked, I kept it in me,” said Lemieux.

“I bring it to the ring, I don’t disrespect my opponents, I don’t trash talk.”

It should be noted that this was a wholly untruthful claim from a fighter who was widely criticised for stating that he wanted to permanently damage the smack-talking Spike.

Regardless, Lemieux continued and stated that he hopes the Mahon man learnt a lesson.

“This was my lesson to him, to be humble. I’m tired of these world champions smash talking just to promote their fights.”

“I want to be able to teach my kids and the kids that follow me to be respectful and to never call out a fighter and keep it professional. I hope he learns to be humble, or be humbled.”

In fairness to the Paschal Collins-trained O’Sullivan, the verbal back and forths were just that, with the Irishman wishing Lemieux well afterwards.

The insults, and the explicit language, may not have gone down well with some but those who know the Cork man won’t have been surprised and, indeed, won’t be surprised to see him stir the pot again as he bids to secure more big fights.

O’Sullivan did show respect after the clash and paid homage to his defeater on social media post Saturday.

READ: Spike O’Sullivan sends post-fight message

When speaking to the media he took the defeat on the chin but did but point out the difference in size when referencing the first punch ever to send him to the canvas.

“Unfortunately, this is boxing,” said O’Sullivan before drawing attention to the fact that the there was more than a stone in weight between the pair in the ring.

“I got caught, and it just so happens it was a 179-pound light heavyweight who caught me. That was a big weight discrepancy at fight time.”