Why Not? IV: Jermain Taylor vs. Jeff Lacy

No matter the outcome of tomorrow's fight (though I am steadfast in calling for a Taylor victory), I think a bout between Taylor and Jeff Lacy makes all kinds of sense, for a variety of reasons: a) We all know Team Taylor is eyeing 168, though this week DiBella and now Ozell Nelson are saying that making 160 "this time" was easy. Hmmm...remember how this fight almost didn't even happen because of the problems making 160? I digress... They still are open to 168 and if they lose and opt against a rematch (which is contractually set at 168), they may want a high-profile comeback fight that doesn't pose too much of a risk. Now, if he gets blown out by Pavlik (as some tend to believe, but I can't see it), then I doubt they'd want to face Lacy so soon after, but again, I don't think that is likely. If he loses a decision or a questionable stoppage, I could see him wanting to make a statement in a comeback fight and this would be it. b) Lacy, while not an elite fighter, is still a very competent one with a very exciting style and sellable personality. I would think he would jump at the chance to face Taylor and redeem himself post-Calzaghe disaster. c) This was a dream match-up two years ago that everyone looked at as a potential 2000 US Olympian vs. 2000 US Olympian, undefeated champion vs. undefeated champion showdown for HBO PPV in 2007 or 2008. Obviously that won't be the case, but I would think HBO would love to showcase Taylor in this kind of high-profile fight, either as a triumphant, undefeated conquerer of the middleweight division (though most won't agree with that even with a Pavlik win) making his 168 debut or as a rebounding former middleweight champion moving up to a new division. d) This would not be HBO PPV, but in my opinion, it would be a great HBO WCB main event (you know the promoters could finagle an alphabet title on the line for this). e) Or, think about this possibility: Taylor loses to Pavlik and Berto blasts Estrada. Berto gets a title shot against Cintron or Williams. That fight would be the main event, and Taylor-Lacy would be the co-feature for a WBC card. That would be pretty good for HBO, methinks. What do you guys think?

Comments (16)

I like Jeff Lacy, but he lacks boxing skills. And now he lacks confidence, as well as a working shoulder. Taylor would get a 119-109 UD if Lacy showed up with all he has left. 120-108 any other night.

18y ago

neils7147933

A couple years back, I thought this would be a future p4p dream matchup. Now it's a main event, but not much more...

18y ago

cupcrazy01

Those are hypotheticals, by the way, because I am picking Taylor to win tomorrow. But even with a win, I think Lacy as a first fight at 168 is a great idea for Team Taylor. Lacy would have time to get in a tune-up or two...

18y ago

cupcrazy01

I think almost no matter the surrounding circumstances (Taylor coming off a loss, Lacy coming off lackluster tune-ups, whatever), this fight would sell both at the gate and get good ratings on HBO WCB. But then again, I guess I'm partial, since I started the thread.

18y ago

GTL

i didnt see lacys last fight.. all i kno is he was severly injured.. thats why he has a long layoff.. for those who say fuck lacy, go educate urselfs and see the severity of his injury.. most fighters dont come back from that type of shoulder injury. hes being SMART by letting it completely heal. so far so good with him.. hell prolly fight in november.. hes young.. and i think him and taylor would be a good fight.. he comes on strong after the 6th and thats wen taylor fades.. some ppl here are fuckin retarded man. shit

18y ago

GreatestIam

If Taylor loses he won't have money fights anywhere. If Taylor wins, he would want an "easier" fight than the Cal/Kessler winner at 168 before challenging them. Makes sense to me. Naw i see it like this Jeff Lacy doesnt even deserve to fight in the same sate as Taylor, Jermaine has been racking up big win after big win ugly or not his done it.... When on the other hand Lacy's biggest win is his biggest disappointment and i say that becasue he did get bank from the Joe C fight but he also got his ass whooped... If Taylor loses he does need a few warm-ups for the 168 but 1. he aint gonna lose 2. Lacy would need 3-4 fights before even thinking about Taylor and 3. Taylor aint gonna lose

18y ago

AntonTheMeh

First Off I Like Jermaine But I Think He's Gonna Lose.there Going After The Money You Heard Jermaine He's Probably Gonna Fight Tito Like I've Said Before If Tito Gets By Roy Which Is A Supermassive if They'll Fight.if He Goes After Joe Calzaghe He'll Lose.

18y ago

cupcrazy01

Risk management Cupcrazy; another devastating/embarrassing loss could end his career... I agree with you but one fight with Taylor for the money equals at least 5 fights against bums and fringe contenders. And if he wins, he gets a bigger fight for even more money, probably a rematch... Sometimes risks are good...

18y ago

Derranged_

$$$. A Taylor win also puts him right back up in the top echelon of guys. Wins over bums and fringe contenders won't make anyone forget the Calzaghe fight. A win over Taylor does alot to erase that memory. Risk management Cupcrazy; another devastating/embarrassing loss could end his career...

18y ago

cupcrazy01

I don't think Lacy should rush into anything right now. IMO at least 2-3 tuneups before he steps up the competition to someone like Typsko let alone Taylor. Why rush things?... $$$. A Taylor win also puts him right back up in the top echelon of guys. Wins over bums and fringe contenders won't make anyone forget the Calzaghe fight. A win over Taylor does alot to erase that memory.

18y ago

Derranged_

There would be plenty of time for Lacy to get one tune-up under his belt (and quite possibly two) before this fight would come off, and quite possibly two considering Taylor fights generally twice a year. Lacy could come back this winter with a fight in December or January and then another in February or March and then fight Taylor late spring/early summer. I don't think Lacy should rush into anything right now. IMO at least 2-3 tuneups before he steps up the competition to someone like Typsko let alone Taylor. Why rush things?...

18y ago

cupcrazy01

---- a Jeff Lacy he hasnt fought in almost a year he got his ass whooped by Calzaghe and well his last fight basically sums up his career a talent dude who seems to be detererating right in front of our eyes... Taylors money fights at 168 are with the likes of Joe C, Kessler a rematch with Winky, a set weight with Chad Dawson or something along those lines if Jeff wants to fight anyone it needs to be a bum a rock and a hard place cuz i think dudes finished for the time being+ If Taylor loses he won't have money fights anywhere. If Taylor wins, he would want an "easier" fight than the Cal/Kessler winner at 168 before challenging them. Makes sense to me.

18y ago

cupcrazy01

Let me cut to point; Lacy's irrelevant these days. The guy needs to get back on track with a series of tuneups not fights like this.... There would be plenty of time for Lacy to get one tune-up under his belt (and quite possibly two) before this fight would come off, and quite possibly two considering Taylor fights generally twice a year. Lacy could come back this winter with a fight in December or January and then another in February or March and then fight Taylor late spring/early summer.

18y ago

GreatestIam

Fuck a Jeff Lacy he hasnt fought in almost a year he got his ass whooped by Calzaghe and well his last fight basically sums up his career a talent dude who seems to be detererating right in front of our eyes... Taylors money fights at 168 are with the likes of Joe C, Kessler a rematch with Winky, a set weight with Chad Dawson or something along those lines if Jeff wants to fight anyone it needs to be a bum a rock and a hard place cuz i think dudes finished for the time being+

18y ago

boxingfan4life

given the fact that he is moving up to super middleweight this fight will definitely happen. i dont see lacy winning because of his current physical and mental state but a good fight to see nonetheless.

18y ago

Derranged_

Let me cut to point; Lacy's irrelevant these days. The guy needs to get back on track with a series of tuneups not fights like this....

18y ago