Jeff Lacy was a rising super middleweight star prior to his March 4, 2006 demolition at the hands of Joe Calzaghe. Since then things haven’t been the same for the 2000 U.S. Olympian.

In December of 2006 Lacy staggered to a razor thin majority decision of Ukrainian Vitali Tsypko although few ringside observers felt Lacy had done enough to win. His next fight came a year later in December 2007 against The Contender favorite Peter Manfredo, Jr., a fight that appeared on the Ricky Hatton – Floyd Mayweather, Jr. undercard. Left Hook Lacy was again underwhelming in victory.

Tonight Lacy fights journeyman Columbian Epifanio Mendoza on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights in only his third bout since Calzaghe and the first not seen on HBO. The fight is unlikely to answer questions about Lacy’s diminishing skills — Mendoza should give him little trouble — but it will be nice to see the consensus #5 super middleweight on free T.V. A convincing win might even solidify a fight against America’s other top ten super middle: Jermain Taylor.

Post from: EveryJoe

Does Jeff Lacy Still Have It?

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The September 20 light heavyweight title match between Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs) and Roy Jones, Jr. (52-4, 38 KOs) has officially been postponed because of a Calzaghe right wrist injury.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael quotes the fight’s promoter as saying “(Calzaghe) told me it’s an injured right wrist,” the promoter said. “I was told that he hurt it on Sunday punching a heavy bag.”

The initial word is that the match could be rescheduled for November. No word on whether the fight’s proposed venue, New York’s Madison Square Garden, would be available during that month. The NY Knicks have yet to release their schedule. The Rangers have a home date with the Boston Bruins on November 15 so that date is presumably out.

The Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi is currently on for November 22 so that date is also probably out. November 29 would sandwich the bout between Hatton and the proposed December 6 Oscar De La Hoya fight. That date wouldn’t make sense.

That leaves the 1st and the 8th. Our guess is the November 8. Make plans accordingly.

Post from: EveryJoe

Joe Calzaghe-Roy Jones, Jr. off for Sept. 20; Rescheduled for Nov. 8?

Image details: Kelly Pavlik v Jermain Taylor served by picapp.com

ESPN.com is reporting that middleweight champ Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik will face boxing’s Methuselah Bernard Hopkins on October 18 in Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall. The bout will be fought at a 170-pound catch weight and will be broadcasted on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Pavlik’s promotor Bob Arum admitted to ESPN that “This fight was not our first choice, but it was the only alternative we had to make a buck.” How’s that for salesmanship? You know Bob, it wouldn’t have been this fight fan’s first choice either — that would have been serial big fight ducker Joe Calzaghe — but it’s not bad. Hopkins doesn’t always make exciting fights but he will be a true test of Pavlik’s supposed greatness.

The Atlantic City venue should pull in a good crowd for each fight AND Arum also tells ESPN that the he has been assured by Calzaghe’s people that Kelly will get the Welshmen if both are victorious in their respective fights. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Ghost Will Face The Executioner

Image details: Joe Calzaghe Media Interview served by picapp.com

ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael has just reported the worst kept Breaking News in boxing: 2008’s Top 5 pound-for-pound boxer Joe Calzaghe’s next fight will be against 2002 Top 5 pound-for-pound boxer Roy Jones, Jr.. They will fight for Calzaghe’s 175-pound light heavyweight title.

The 36-year-old Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO) will fight the 39-year-old Jones (52-4, 38 KO) on September 20, 2008 in Madison Square Garden on HBO pay-per-view. Oh, if only this fight had taken place a few years ago. Maybe then I’d be inspired to spend my hard-earned $50-60. But this fight choice just serves as evidence to Calzaghe’s painful lack of ambition as well as his disdain for boxing history.

Maybe once Calzaghe disposes of the once feared Jones he’ll saunter down to the historically relevant middleweight division (or, alas, a catch weight), take on fellow pound-for-pounder Kelly Pavlik and finally rise to a pugilistic challenge.

Post from: EveryJoe

Joe Calzaghe to fight Roy Jones, Jr. on Sept. 20

In the mail today I received an advanced copy of George Kimball’s forthcoming book Four Kings. The book profiles the four great middleweights of what the book’s subtitle refers to as “The Last Great Era of Boxing”: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, and Duran. No first names are needed.

I’m usually the first person to dismiss and be angered by baby boomer claims that athletes were different then and that their era of sports was the best. The glorious eighties. Problem is that when I am confronted with their challenge of “well then, whose a great middleweight now?” I can only stammer back with Kelly Pavlik.

I’m not saying The Ghost isn’t as talented as those luminaries but what evidence do I have? I guess Jermain Taylor but his fight two Saturday’s ago against Gary Lockett was so appalling and such a mismatch that I didn’t blog about it. It wasn’t exactly news.

Pavlik’s biggest excuse is that he’s only 26 and still has time. What’s Joe Calzaghe’s excuse? He’s spent his whole career running from the top competition, sequestering himself in the Welsh countryside. Talks continue to fester about him fighting 39-year-old Roy Jones, Jr. and skipping out on Pavlik. “It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that (Pavlik and I) will face each other, but I think Jones is the right fight for me at the moment.” Calzaghe told reporters.

What he’s telling boxing and his fans is that he doesn’t and never has cared about them or the greater context of his sport.

And that’s his priority. It’s his body that he’s putting on the line and his career he has to look after. Is that fair to us as fans? Does it really matter?

All we can hope for is that another talented set of fighters come again and choose to fight each other in their primes. Is that such a crazy concept?

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

When Will Another Four Kings Ever Return?

Byrd’s most recent fight was last October when he was TKO’d in the 11th against 2004 Athens Super Heavyweight Olympic gold medalist Aleksandr Povetkin. Povetkin weighed in at 226 1/4, Byrd at 211 1/4. It was a far cry from Byrd’s own Olympic medaling weight: a svelte 165.

After winning the middleweight silver medal in Barcelona 1992 Byrd immediately placed himself on the heavyweight trajectory. “Guys I knew I could beat (at heavyweight) were making money,” he explained to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “(so) I started eating and didn’t stop.”

In the midst of his eating Byrd won a few heavyweight titles and faced the best the weight class has to offer in its present-day pathetic state. Namely the Klitschko brothers, losing to Wlad twice and defeating Vitali. After losing to Povetkin, Byrd thought “What else do I have to prove?” So instead of slogging for purses by traveling to Germany and facing more eastern Europeans heavys Byrd decided to drop a few weight classes and make his living fighting in Vegas.

Byrd’s dramatic weight loss – as seen when comparing the two accompanying photos – has been well documented by Tim Smith in both the New York Daily News and on ESPN.com. The, er, skinny: 37 pounds lost since his last fight. Las Vegan yes. Vegan no. Meats and animal products OK, just in small portions. His real secret? Seven miles of running a day and hard training.

His physique as seen in the ESPN.com video is astounding. He is so fit and so quick that he is hardly recognizable. Byrd’s fighting style tonight could be just as perplexing.

Will the southpaw revert to his early career technical style which wowed boxing purists and put everyone else to sleep, will he stay stationary and bully his smaller, less experienced opponent, or will a newer, quicker Chris Byrd emerge?

Byrd is one of the sport’s most intelligent and savvy competitors, some have even argued that his advanced boxing acumen and mathematical style may have been too complex for the average fight fan and soured his heavyweight commercial success.

He won’t need to rely on his smarts as much against fighters his own size and that should make for a veritable rising phoenix. We’re excited to see the 175-pound Byrd fight and eager for what we think will be a pleasant surprise. Our hunch is that Byrd might want to rethink his stated year-end retirement because there are a lot of big money light heavy bouts out there and tonight’s fight could solidify his place high in the pecking order. Watch closely Joe Calzaghe. Watch closely.

For more on tonight’s fight also check:
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s profile of Shaun George and the Fightwriter.com’s preview.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Chris Byrd, 37 Pounds Lighter Than Last Time

The news that 21-year-old English lightweight phenom Amir Khan might be relocating to the States ranks as a wonderful unexpected charm. The lanky Lancashire lightweight is 17-0 and has been widely hyped in Britain as the next big thing, the diamond in the island nation’s boxing resurgence.

Khan has the hype and the talent of Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton but his stated aim to train across the pond and fight under the tutelage of a Mayweather or Buddy McGirt shows that he does not share their isolationist ambitions. His dismissal of Oliver Harrison, his trainer for all 17 of his professional fights, demonstrates that his American intentions are real. His thoughtful face in the accompanying picture (taken five days ago) is evidence that his decision didn’t come lightly.

Khan could easily follow the lead of Calzaghe and Hatton: park himself at the 02 or the Reebok or the Bolton Arena, build up his already massive following, and make an extraordinary amount of money facing have beens and never wills.

Instead, he explained to the British based wire services, “I’d like to take that chance. It would be a different atmosphere over there and a different environment to learn in.” He continued “I think it could bring something different out in me. I would look forward to the challenge.”

We applaud his bold choice not just because it would mean more American television exposure but because it’s great for sport whenever an athlete aims to be the best. Khan understands why Britons have dropped five title belts in the last six months: because the best trainers and the best competition is over here.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Amir Khan is Coming to America

Image details: Joe Calzaghe Media Interview served by picapp.com

If you call your opponent a “sore loser” doesn’t that necessarily indicate that you’re a sore winner? In Joe Calzaghe’s case it just means that he’s a classless boxer who doesn’t know when to shut up or give a great fighter credit.

What this all means is that Calzaghe is at it again, talking to BBC Two in a Sunday interview, view it here, spouting off about everything, professing his love for countryman Tom Jones and Al Pacino, insulting Bernard Hopkins‘ performance and attitude, harping about the referee and American judges, and pretending that fight fans don’t remember how he’s refused to fight against the best competition for years.

Continue reading for more quotes from the interview that haven’t made the press release transcripts. Believe me, there are dozens more that boil my blood.

He begins that he was proud to “finally get my big fight in Vegas.” Finally! That’s right no American ever wanted to fight Calzaghe for his titles during his decade-long monkish sequestering in the Welsh highlands. I forgot.

Offering an excuse for his amateur boxing-esque pitter pat style Calzaghe states, “Computer stats don’t lie. At the end of the day slaps, jabs, light punches – whatever you want to call them – I still landed the most punches against Hopkins.”

Does Joe think Hopkins a great fighter? “Hopkins is a fraud as far as I’m concerned.” Then Calzaghe commits a Freudian slip, “The guy’s lost four fights, er, five now.”

To Calzaghe’s credit his “He should get over it. He should watch the tape and accept that he lost.” quote that’s made the wire rounds was taken out of context and referred NOT to last Saturday’s fight but to Hopkins’ 2005 bout(s) against Jermain Taylor.

In regards to Hopkins’ infamous I’ll-never-lose-to-a-white-boy comment Calzaghe offers “he’s got no class” then continues, “I’m proud of myself not stooping to the same level.” He then continues to denigrate Hopkins in many classless ways.

Among them was the following insult of Hopkins fortitude: “I always lay it on the line. (Hopkins) doesn’t lay it on the line. He tried to steal the fight I tried to win the fight.” The notion that Hopkins has no heart is just jaw dropping.

Calzaghe then asserts, “He’s not the best fighter I’ve ever fought.” Those would be Kessler and Lacy. We wonder, would Calzaghe even make Hopkins’ Best 5 list of boxers faced? Possibly, but the name sure to top Hopkins’ Fave 5 is an in-form lightning quick 24-year-old Roy Jones, Jr. Who does Calzaghe want next? The 39-year-old version Roy Jones, Jr.

“I’ve fought the up-and-coming young fighters,” Calzaghe reasons, “why can’t I be the young guy in a fight?” I guess he’s earned the luxury of high profile, less challenging, bigger payday bouts but fight fans everywhere would surely enjoy something different.

Again, to see the interview for yourself on the BBC site click here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Calzaghe Thinks Jeff Lacy is Better Than Bernard Hopkins (and Other Gems from the Welshman)

Image details: Bernard Hopkins v Joe Calzaghe served by picapp.com

Joe Calzaghe is no Ricky Hatton. He doesn’t bring legions of Britons to Las Vegas, he’s not gracious to his opponent in post-match interviews, he doesn’t want to fight dangerous young fighters, but, most importantly, he’s able to find a way to win, however controversially, against his American opponent thus maintaining his undefeated record.

Calzaghe escaped the 43-year-old Bernard Hopkins’ technical, throwback counterpuncing style with a high volume of pitter-pat slaps and occasional rabbit punches scoring a close split decision victory and the linear light heavyweight title. Judges Ted Gizma (115-112) and Chuck Giampa (116-111) scored the bout for Calzaghe; Adalaide Byrd saw it 114-113 for Hopkins. I had it 114-113 for Calzaghe. The boxers’ sharply contrasting styles (high volume light aggression vs. pointed and defensive counterpunching) proved difficult to score; espn.com score it 114-113 for Hopkins while HBO’s Harold Lederman had it 116-111 for Calzaghe.

Unsurprisingly, Hopkins floored Calzaghe in the bout’s opening round with a good straight right. In the pre-match festivites Calzaghe had looked dazed and a bit starstruck – he planted a gushing hug on a increasingly unidentifiable Tom Jones – while Hopkins stalked the ring focused and ready.

As the fight went on, however, Calzaghe caught his stride maintaining a steady, if not pain-inflicting, barrage of punches during the fight’s middle-to-late rounds. After a protracted break for a grazing low blow in the 10th Hopkins seemed re-energized and ready to rally for the stretch run.

But Calzaghe didn’t back down earning a close advantage on my scorecard in the 11th and 12th. Post-fight Calzaghe was confident despite his cut nose and bruised face declaring himself a “legend killer” and stating that Hopkins’ clear first round knock down was instead a slip. The legend comment referred to Calzaghe’s priority desire to fight Roy Jones, Jr. next instead of Chad Dawson, Kelly Pavlik, Arthur Abraham, or anyone under the age of 40.

Joe Calzaghe is a terrific fighter, undoubtedly a top ten pound-for-pound, but his career-long proclivity towards avoiding top flight competition is disappointing for any fight fan and ultimately will prevent him from ranking among the all-time greats, including the vanquished Bernard Hopkins.

Post from: EveryJoe

Calzaghe Remains Undefeated With Split Decision Win Vs. Hopkins

Image details: Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe Grand Arrivals served by picapp.com

Welsh superstar light heavyweight Joe Calzaghe is finally coming to the United States. Las Vegas to be specific. It’s been a long time coming. He’s held a world title since 1997, he’s undefeated in 44 professional bouts, and he could be boxing biggest drawing power. (35,000+ attended both of his last two fights).

But all 44 of the 36-year-old’s fights have taken place on European soil and the respect from American fight fans never really materialized. We say it’s easy to be fast and powerful when your opponents are Peter Manfredo, Jr., Charles Brewer, and Kabary Salem.

Respect comes Saturday in the form of Bernard Hopkins, boxing’s modern-day Methuselah and one of the wiliest competitors ever to step in the ring. If Calzaghe can defeat the 43-year-old Hopkins, Las Vegas odds have him a 3-1 favorite, he may yet grab that esteem. We’re not so sure.

Even if he wins detractors may point out that Calzaghe was facing a slower, older, past-his-prime Hopkins. What they’d really be saying is why couldn’t this fight have happened six years ago. Nevertheless we’ll be watching HBO at 9:45 Saturday night with great anticipation; Calzaghe’s HBO performances thus far haven’t disappointed.

Of course, we can’t count out Hopkins. His 2006 domination over Antonio Tarver still looms in the memory especially after Tarver’s demolition last Saturday of Briton Clinton Woods. The same Clinton Woods who had been penciled in, after a presumably easy victory against Tarver, as Calzaghe’s next opponent.

The pick: Bernard Hopkins in a close decision. And not just because he’s a fellow Pennsylvanian. I think his ring savvy and experience will be too much for Calzaghe. Bernard is used to the lights of Vegas and the pressures of a mega fight while Calzaghe is a small-town Welshman with a lot to prove.

Post from: EveryJoe

Calzaghe vs. Hopkins This Saturday on HBO