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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?
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?
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