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This past Saturday night in Manchester, England, young Jeff Lacy was handed a brutal, twelve round beating by long reigning 168 pound champion Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe is an undefeated, seasoned professional and the longest reigning champion in boxing. The question many now ask is whether Jeff Lacy, who had less fights than Calzaghe had knockouts, will be able to recover from the sustained punishment that was inflicted upon him. If history is an example, and if the cases of Davey Moore, David Reid and Fernando Vargas are any guide, we may already have the answer. [details]
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Don't be too quick to condemn Lacy. Admittedly he took an absolute beating, but it was at the hands of a world class fighter and he showed tremendous heart to go the distance. There are not too many fighters of Calzaghe's ability, so I'm sure Lacy will be back. Maybe he is not the fighter most of us thought he was, but he is still better than most in the Super Middleweight division with wins over Robin Reid, Omar Sheika and Scott Pemberton. One defeat does not necessarily mean the end of his career! -
There are so many good fighters who have come back from much worse than this...
With the history of boxing, losses, and comebacks...I see no reason why some say that Lacy is finished...Comment
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The defeat itself doesnt mean the end of his career, but the MANNER of the defeat does. For one thing, he took an absolute beating, sustained from opening to finishing bell. He had absolutely no answers whatsoever. This will hurt his stock, but still doesnt spell the end of his career. The amount of punishment he took though, that could mean the end of his career. Had his corner done the decent thing and pulled him out at about the seventh or eighth then he could have come back. As it is I think he took far too much and it will take a lot for him to come back.
The comparisons with Tyson are still there as well. Much of Mike's aura was because of his invincibility - people were scared of him. Spinks would surely have fought a better fight had he not been terrified and unable to move. The same is true with Lacy - he cuts an imposing figure and could scare a lot of fighters. Now that he has truly been handed a beating that aura will disappear and fighters will not fear him.
If he is realistic about coming back and being an elite fighter he should have one tune up and then go for someone like Kessler of Taylor. If he can win that then maybe he can press his claim as one of the best super middles, but to be honest I think Joe has ruined him. I dont think we'll hear from Lacy much again. The comparison with David Reid is a good one, and I could see his career going much the way of David's.Comment
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watching david reid lose to sam hill? hall? i dont remember his name but he was a cop who boxed on the side. that was something, ive never seen somebody with so much skill look so pathetic.Originally posted by myunksafiedComment
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Lacy sounded very humble but still confident.He could have done much better in that fight........Not only was it Calzaghes best fight ever it was Lacys worst.If he listens to his corner and throws more combos it would have been a far more competetive fight.I am not saying he would have won but he just did not do anything we are used to seeing him do except takes waaaay to many shots while stalking around throwing one punch at a time.I watched the fight for a third time last night and I will be dammed if he threw more than 5 combos all night long and the majority of those did land.I think he will be back in 6 months or so and will make a full recovery........at least these are my hopes and I think he is a very strong willed fighter who can regain a title and his momentum.I still think he could beat nearly every other SMW out there.
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Difference being David Reid actually gave Trinidad a hell of a fight on pure skill alone until he couldn't sustain his attack any longer and was badly stopped. Lacy was NEVER competitive in that fight.
Pissed me off too I was waiting for Lacy to land those signature hooks and cuts that he wings...but NNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!Comment
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Yeah, I was hoping for one of them too, and a ko for LacyOriginally posted by oldgringo
Some could say this was the best thing (or the best time??) that could have happened, if only because Lacy learned something. Thankfully even he said he needs work on his technique, and he couldnt be more right. Some time in the gym, working on jabs, setting up shots, footwork, etc. should be his biggest priority right now...then we'll see what he can do. I have disliked ONE thing and one thing only about Lacy, and thats how much he depends on his power. Now that he's found out sometimes thats just not enough, maybe he'll work on the rest. He did show alot of heart, and a very VERY good chin...the rest is in the gym, in training!!
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Dan Birmingham needs to work on Lacy throwing shortening his punches up; especially on the inside. Lacy allows himself to get clinched when he needed to work on side stepping & throwing short hooks/uppercuts to avoid that. He can definitely bounce back & as what was said this loss will help him become a better fighter.Comment
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LACY is a class act, and his post fight interview was the best thing for boxing in a long time! no bitching, winning, or excuses, he will come back better than ever i think, all the true champs come backComment
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