TAMPA, FL (June 2, 2005) – Undefeated IBF super middleweight champion JEFF “Left Hook” LACY, from St. Petersburg, FL, the first member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title, is coming home. Lacy will make his professional home debut in a mandatory title defense against former WBC super middleweight champion ROBIN REID, from Runcorn, England, the IBF’s top-rated contender. This will be Reid’s first fight on U.S. soil. Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with One Punch Productions, Lacy-Reid will take place Saturday, August 6, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. Showtime will televise it live beginning at 9 P.M. EDT / 9 P.M. PDT (Delayed on the West Coast.)
“England lost to the United States in 1776 and in the rematch of 1812, there is no way, as Commander-in-Chief of the super middleweight division, I’m letting England win the 2005 war on the Tampa/St. Pete shore,” declared Lacy.
Lacy, 19-0 (15 KOs), captured the vacant IBF super middleweight title, October 2, 2004, knocking out No. 1 contender and two-time world title challenger Syd Vanderpool. Vanderpool, 35-3, who went the distance against world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, had more than twice as many professional fights than Lacy. Yet it was Lacy who showed the poise and maturity of a veteran as he methodically broke down Vanderpool, ending his three-year, seven-bout winning streak – five by knockout. This was the first time Vanderpool had ever been knocked out in his professional career. Since becoming the first member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title, he has also become one of the busiest world champions too, successfully defending his title in December and March against Omar Sheika and Rubin Williams, respectively. This will be his fourth world title fight in less than 12 months.
Reid, 38-4-1 (27 KOs), captured the WBC super middleweight title in 1996, knocking out defending champion Vincenzo Nardiello in the seventh round. He successfully defended the title three times during his one-year reign before losing it to Thulane Malinga via a 12-round decision. He has won 12 of his last 13 bouts, including the IBO super middleweight title last June, via a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brian Magee. Magee, who had held the title since 2001, was sent to the canvas four times en route to a unanimous decision loss to Reid.
“I am thrilled to have this fight,” said Reid. “This is a landmark event in my professional career – to finally make my U.S. debut. This is what every fighter dreams of, fighting for a world title on the sport’s biggest stage. Let Tampa and St. Petersburg know that the British are coming — coming to take back the crown.”
Tickets: Tickets for this event go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the McDONALD’S BOX OFFICE at the St. Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100. For more information please call 813.301.2500 or visit www.stpetetimesforum.com. Tickets are priced at $500.00, $300.00, $250.00, $125.00, $100,00, $50.00 and $35.00. Prices do not include service charges or facility fees. VIP Packages are available by calling 800.255.5070. For dinner reservations at Medallions Restaurant on the night of the event please call 813.301.6926. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit MacDill Air Force Base charities.