Jeff Lacy: Everything You Ever Wanted In a Prizefighter

28.12.05 – By Joseph Carlo Russo: Amidst the recent signing of the Jeff Lacy/Joe Calzaghe superfight to be held at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester on March 4th fight fans not only in the United States but abroad as well have been raving about this potential diamond of a bout. This bout is any fight fan, promoter, or matchmaker’s dream as it features two great fighters at a good weight from rival soils, both possessing the exciting styles that we all salivate over.

As the super middleweight division went previously unnoticed in the United States Jeff Lacy has done well for putting it back on the map. From his intimidating physique to his devastating style Jeff Lacy is a fight fan’s dream. Since he exploded onto the boxing scene on February 2, 2001 Jeff Lacy has racked up 21 victories to no losses, with 17 jaw-dropping knockouts. His style demonstrates remnants of Mike Tyson and Marvin Hagler but his heart is no one else’s but his own.

One of Jeff Lacy’s most appealing traits as a fighter is his heart and determination. Outside of the ring he is humble, modest, and well spoken, but stepping into the ring with Jeffrey Scott Lacy is like entering the lion’s den.

Jeff Lacy possesses a relentless style sure to take asses out of seats when he connects. Although his nickname is “Left Hook,” Lacy is nothing short of a complete and polished fighter as he carries a full line of punches. In the ring he has taken guys out with straight rights, left hooks, uppercuts, body shots etc. But he has also been known to take guys out mentally at the pre-fight press conference with his Herculean physique. Recently, Lacy has shown flashes of solid defense as well.

In his past couple of fights Jeff Lacy was presented with worthy challenges in Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton and Robin “The Grim Reaper” Reid. But by the end of each fight Lacy had proved both these mens’ nicknames invalid. On August 6th, Lacy handed Reid his first taste of the canvas as he demolished the highly regarded Englishman in eight rounds. Scott Pemberton was expected to give Lacy a bit more of a run for his money as it was the freeswinging New Englander’s last shot. But, Lacy clearly had other plans as he decimated the lanky “Sandman” in only two rounds.

As spectacular a fighter as Jeff Lacy is, I believe some of his best traits lie not only in his physical abilities but in his mental attitude. Since exploding onto the boxing scene in 2001 Jeff Lacy has stayed active and stayed busy. He seeks only the best available fight and when he can’t get it he doesn’t stall, he takes the next best available fight, which is exactly what fighters should and must do if they want to be noticed. This year Lacy has fought a solid three game opponents. After each win, he has called out Joe Calzaghe, and in his last outing threw Tarver in there as well.

With Joe Calzaghe reluctant to fight him Lacy made sure to take out any necessary contenders to force the superfight. But in beating contenders, Lacy not only defeats them, he devastates them. Be it not a distinguishing quality in talent between boxers and punchers, but the truth is everybody loves the knockouts and everybody notices the knockouts. Jeff Lacy understands this as he has worked himself up into being one of the best finishers in the game. When he smells blood he knows how to capitalize. This attribute is essential in a prospect, especially in a division like super middleweight.

Unlike Floyd Mayweather Jeff Lacy refrains from complaining about being popular, being pay-per-view, getting paid more than his opponents etc. Just like a fighter should do, Jeff Lacy prefers to just fight and take care of business. He understands that beating Joe Calzaghe in England will be his last trip abroad making so that everybody will have to come to him after that. This is a very healthy attitude for a fighter. Zab Judah demonstrated this mentality when he accepted a small sum of money to rematch Cory Spinks in St. Louis, knowing he would win and paving the way for himself to be the undisputed welterweight champion.

Humble outside the ring, brutal inside the ring Jeff Lacy has taken the boxing scene by storm. It is fighters like Jeff who will be the ones to return boxing to its glorious roots. With left hooks, right crosses, liver punches, and uppercuts Jeff Lacy continues to stake his claim as one of boxing’s finest with his upcoming superfight with Joe Calzaghe on March 4th. At 28 years old, hopefully the best is yet to come for Jeff Lacy as he has shown himself to be everything you ever wanted in a prizefighter.