Press release for Lacy-Calzaghe, fight takes place in the UK

[restless_438]

Promoter Frank Warren is delighted to announce that WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe will face IBF holder Jeff Lacy in a sensational unification showdown set for early 2006.

Warren was in New York last week locked in negotiations with Lacy's promoter Gary Shaw and US TV Network Showtime and has confirmed that the super-fight is signed and will take place in Cardiff in February or March.

"This is the fight that Joe, the media and the fans wanted and I am absolutely delighted that following some hard work over the last few days the fight is on," Said Warren who will promote the show in association with Shaw.

"It will be the biggest fight of the year in Britain and certainly one of the most highly anticipated fights on the world scene in recent years and it will take place in the UK,"
"Joe is recognised as the best in the division that he has ruled for the last eight years with a record 17 defences seeing off six former world champions," "Lacy has looked impressive to date and the media are describing as the new kid on the block and the heir apparent,"

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also:

Joe Calzaghe is all set to fight Jeff Lacy at the Millennium Stadium on February 4 - thanks to a massive guarantee to be paid to the American if Joe pulls out

IBF super-middleweight champion Lacy had demanded that his WBO counterpart must go to the States for the showdown, after the Welshman's broken hand scuppered the pair's planned November 5 meeting in London.

And, with Calzaghe pulling rank as the senior champion and refusing point-blank to travel, it seemed deadlock had been reached.

Now Lacy has changed his mind, following agreement that half a million dollars would be put in deposit for him and forfeited if the fight was cancelled.

'That's the only reason I'm going over there,' Lacy told a Florida newspaper.

'All they have to figure out is who's walking in the ring first and where the weigh-in will be.

'It's almost buttoned down.'

Lacy turned back to Calzaghe after rejecting more than a million dollars to meet light-heavy standout Antonio Tarver, the other big-name fighter in his sights.

'We don't need Tarver,' insisted Lacy.

'He's not a draw. He rode Roy Jones' coat-tails and got booed in his home town.'

The super-fight will headline the first boxing show at the stadium, now a viable proposition since the development of a method of cordoning off a section of the arena.

But, given recent controversy over the pitch, it will be something of a gamble given that Wales face Scotland eight days later in the first home encounter of this season's Six Nations.

And, with Calzaghe yet to throw a punch in training following the damage caused in his September win over Evans Ashira, there must be a doubt over whether he will be fit in time.

There is a fall-back date of March 4 - Lacy says he has agreed to either - which would be just a week before Wales entertain Italy in the Six Nations.

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Lacy turned back to Calzaghe after rejecting more than a million dollars to meet light-heavy standout Antonio Tarver, the other big-name fighter in his sights.

did anyone else notice this part? did Tarver make him an offer?

[RAESAAD]

did anyone else notice this part? did Tarver make him an offer?

I read it in the St.Pete times the other day but did not know what to believe......

[scap]

I like Joe Calzaghe and have been a big fan of his style for a long time...

But...

If this fight really does come off then Jeff Lacy is the 1 who deserves all of the credit. The kid just wants to fight!

I respect the hell out of Lacy! Mayweather wont go over to England to fight Hatton, Hatton wont go over to the States to fight Floyd, Joe wont leave Wales, Nard didnt want to go fight Joe across the pond, Ottke wouldnt leave his backyard to save his life, Virgil Hill was married to Bismarck, etc etc etc.

But...

Here we have a young champ named Jeff "mother****ing" Lacy who will go anywhere...ya godda god damn love it!

If there is a fighter who is praised out there it should be Jeff...he is giving Lacy fans, he is giving Calzaghe fans, he is giving all of boxing exactly what we have been wanting...a fight.

Imagine if all fighters were like Left Hook, imagine if all fighters said "**** it" I dont care where we fight I just wanna fight" and actually meant it!

Thank you Jeff Lacy, anyone who is excited about this bout owes you a big mother****ing thank you!

With all of that said I hope Joe beats him...I have been in his corner for too long to go against him...just pointing out who we have to thank though.

What a fight this will be (if allof this **** is true)!!!

[restless_438]

I like Joe Calzaghe and have been a big fan of his style for a long time...

But...

If this fight really does come off then Jeff Lacy is the 1 who deserves all of the credit. The kid just wants to fight!

I respect the hell out of Lacy! Mayweather wont go over to England to fight Hatton, Hatton wont go over to the States to fight Floyd, Joe wont leave Wales, Nard didnt want to go fight Joe across the pond, Ottke wouldnt leave his backyard to save his life, Virgil Hill was married to Bismarck, etc etc etc.

But...

Here we have a young champ named Jeff "mother****ing" Lacy who will go anywhere...ya godda god damn love it!

If there is a fighter who is praised out there it should be Jeff...he is giving Lacy fans, he is giving Calzaghe fans, he is giving all of boxing exactly what we have been wanting...a fight.

Imagine if all fighters were like Left Hook, imagine if all fighters said "**** it" I dont care where we fight I just wanna fight" and actually meant it!

Thank you Jeff Lacy, anyone who is excited about this bout owes you a big mother****ing thank you!

With all of that said I hope Joe beats him...I have been in his corner for too long to go against him...just pointing out who we have to thank though.

What a fight this will be (if allof this **** is true)!!!

AMEN

[RAESAAD]

I like Joe Calzaghe and have been a big fan of his style for a long time...

But...

If this fight really does come off then Jeff Lacy is the 1 who deserves all of the credit. The kid just wants to fight!

I respect the hell out of Lacy! Mayweather wont go over to England to fight Hatton, Hatton wont go over to the States to fight Floyd, Joe wont leave Wales, Nard didnt want to go fight Joe across the pond, Ottke wouldnt leave his backyard to save his life, Virgil Hill was married to Bismarck, etc etc etc.

But...

Here we have a young champ named Jeff "mother****ing" Lacy who will go anywhere...ya godda god damn love it!

If there is a fighter who is praised out there it should be Jeff...he is giving Lacy fans, he is giving Calzaghe fans, he is giving all of boxing exactly what we have been wanting...a fight.

Imagine if all fighters were like Left Hook, imagine if all fighters said "**** it" I dont care where we fight I just wanna fight" and actually meant it!

Thank you Jeff Lacy, anyone who is excited about this bout owes you a big mother****ing thank you!

With all of that said I hope Joe beats him...I have been in his corner for too long to go against him...just pointing out who we have to thank though.

What a fight this will be (if allof this **** is true)!!!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to scap again.....I agree whole heartedly.

[the giant one]

ill believe it when they are in the ring. Calzaghe is a dodgy **** when it comes to getting him in with good competition

[restless_438]

also i just read the following:

"We are thrilled that this bout will be airing live on Showtime and not on pay-per-view," said Showtime Sports & Event Programming General Manager Ken Hershman. "We are committed to bringing our subscribers the best match-ups in boxing on the first Saturday of every month and we worked hard after the last cancellation with Frank and Gary to put this back together. This is what boxing needs - the biggest fights on the broadest platform. This is good for boxing!"

Lacy and Calzaghe are scheduled to announce the fight at a series of news conferences in London (November 21), Cardiff (November 22) and New York & Tampa / St. Petersburg in early December.

[scap]

also i just read the following:

"We are thrilled that this bout will be airing live on Showtime and not on pay-per-view," said Showtime Sports & Event Programming General Manager Ken Hershman. "We are committed to bringing our subscribers the best match-ups in boxing on the first Saturday of every month and we worked hard after the last cancellation with Frank and Gary to put this back together. This is what boxing needs - the biggest fights on the broadest platform. This is good for boxing!"

Lacy and Calzaghe are scheduled to announce the fight at a series of news conferences in London (November 21), Cardiff (November 22) and New York & Tampa / St. Petersburg in early December.

Free on Showtime...HBO should be shaking in their boots-could be another year of them looking up at their little brother!