By Andy Rivera (Photo By Javier Zamora)
IBF Super middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy has waited for almost a year to unify his title with WBO champion Joe Calzaghe, the fight will finally happen on March 4th in England, Calzaghe's home turf. Lacy has kept busy the final half of the year, first beating former WBC Champion Robin Reid, with a 8th round TKO in front of Lacy's hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. Reid had never been halted in his career, but then again he never faced any one like Lacy before.
Lacy then demolished Scott Pemberton in Reno. Now after all the injuries and cancellations and even Lacy playing mind games with Calzaghe, the two will finally meet.
Lacy knew the fight would happen even after he told the Calzaghe camp that he wouldn't fight Calzaghe after Joe backed out of there scheduled December bout. Calzaghe pulled out with a hand injury stemming from his last September defense against Evan Ashira.
Lacy even mentioned before the Calzaghe/Ashira fought, that Calzaghe would claim an injury in order not to face him, then as predicted Calzaghe pulled out due to a "hand injury". Lacy then said the only way he would fight Calzaghe is if he came to the United States, Lacy then went on to defeat Pemberton.
"I was playing with his mind," said Lacy "I knew that if I said I wouldn't fight him unless he came to the United States then he would finally get up and take the fight rather then stall."
In the Super middleweight division there hasn't been a super-fight to say, until this fight was signed. Lacy knew Calzaghe had no choice but to fight him.
"There is nothing for him out there unless he fights me, people want to see who the best in the division is and unless he and I get it on." states Lacy, "He knew there isn't anyone else out there for him to fight if he wants to make a super-fight, so he had to fight me."
When the champions finally do get it on in March, the two will enter the bout undefeated, with Calzaghe sporting a 40-0 record with 17 title defenses to his credit since winning the vacant crown in 1997 when he defeated Chris Eubank. Lacy is 21-0 and has four title defenses since capturing the IBF strap.
When looking at Lacy's body you would think he was a weight lifter rather than a boxer, with the physic of an Adonis, Lacy says he stays in shape all the time now matter if he is scheduled to fight.
"I love boxing so much that I'm always doing something physical, running, lifting, hitting the bags, whatever, I just love doing what I do."
Against Calzaghe, Lacy will be up against a champion that has almost twice as many fghts as he does, but it doesn't faze him at all.
"I know he hasn't faced anyone like me in his career and I know I will be victorious. I can't wait for this fight to happen. I wish it was tomorrow, I have been so hungry for this fight."
Jeff, we wish it was tomorrow too.
