23.09.04 – Undisputed super welterweight world champion WINKY WRIGHT knows a few things about being a world champion. Not only is he in the third year of his second tour as world champion, he has successfully defended his title against numerous mandatory challengers and world champions alike.
Undefeated super middleweight contender JEFF LACY, 16-0 (13 KOs), the first member from the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to fight for a world world title, is training in Las Vegas with Wright and trainer Dan Birmingham, in preparation for his world title tilt against No. 1 contender Syd Vanderpool, 35-2 (23 KOs), for the vacant IBF super middleweight title — one of three main events at “OKTOBERFIST!” — boxing’s debut at the new outdoor Amphitheatre at Caesars Palace, Saturday, October 2. The event is a promotion of Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Nemiroff.
“Jeff has worked very hard in this camp and since he has been training with the world’s best southpaw — ME! — he is more than prepared,” said Wright. “The 2000 U.S. Olympic team is about to get its first world champion and his name is JEFF ‘LEFT HOOK’ LACY! As they say at Caesars Palace, ‘Hail Lacy!'”
SHOWTIME Championship Boxing will televise the tripleheader, which will also feature the SHOWTIME debut of former WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, 42-3 (39 KOs), in a 10-round bout against NABF heavyweight champion DaVaaryl Williamson, 20-2 (17 KOs), and IBF jr. middleweight champion Verno Phillips 38-9-1 (20 KOs), defending his title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Kasim Ouma, 19-1-1 (13 KOs). The SHOWTIME broadcast begins at 9 P.M. ET / 9 P.M. PT.
Tickets for reserved seats, priced from $50 to $325, are on sale online at ticketmaster.com, at all TicketMaster outlets and at the Caesars Palace box office. Phone (702) 474-4000. Prices exclude tax and handling fee.