by Trever "DeuceDrop" Malagon - 02/21/2006
Who is going remain undefeated, Jeff Lacy (21-0, 17 KOs) or Joe Calzaghe (40-0, 31 KOs)? That's what we are all going to find out on March 4. The fight is taking place at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England. I'm excited about this fight because both of these guys are on top of their game. Jeff Lacy (21-0, 17 KOs) has a lot of momentum heading into this fight and is growing stronger with each fight. Joe Calzaghe (40-0, 31 KOs) is a crafty veteran fighter who has remained undefeated for 40 fights and is at the high point of his career. These two fighters have one thing in common inside the ring; they both like to go toe-to-toe.
Calzaghe usually starts off boxing and using angles, but soon as he gets hit with a punch he starts swinging for the fences. Calzaghe has no problem trading punches with his opponents. I like the way he squares up and fights because he looks like the old school fighters that had whipping punches. I'm not sure Calzaghe wants to trade punches with Jeff Lacy. Even though Joe has a decent chin and has some pop in his punch, Lacy isn't the kind of guy you want to test your chins strength on. Calzaghe's best bet would be to box, using angles, fighting in and out and making Lacy follow him around the ring. So, basically all Jeff Lacy has to do is pop Joe square in the mouth and he can have Calzaghe fight his kind of fight.
Lacy is a pressure fighter and is always coming forward. That's fine and all, but he will be open for pot shots from Calzaghe. Lacy's boxing has improved over his last few fights so he might not follow as much, but it is a live possibility for him to be led along. Lately Lacy's been using his jab and showcasing his boxing skills more. I see Lacy boxing in the beginning of the fight, and then both fighters throwing their game plans out the window to start bombing away on one another. Lacy's determination has overwhelmed every one of his opponents. His will and his strength have proven to be of what makes a champion. His determination is what he will need to put forth to have an edge in the later rounds.
This fight is what boxing is supposed to be about, two undefeated champions taking on one another risking their respected titles as well as their undefeated records. Nowadays most guys in their position just fight their mandatory challengers and do what ever they can to fight guys that they know they can beat. It seems a lot of fighters in recent years like hyping up their limited opposition and calling themselves great when they beat them. Jeff Lacy and Joe Calzaghe are a breath of fresh air in bringing back the old school, when top fighters fought the best, where champions fought other champions. Not fighting a guy that just lost to a journeyman in his last fight, not fighting guys that aren't even ranked in the top ten. These two guys should be commended for taking the fight with one another. Calzaghe and Lacy haven't even once talked about being great leading into this fight, all they talk about is who is going to win and be No. 1 in the Super Middleweight division.
Current Odds:
Lacy to win -125
Calzaghe to win +105
Lacy by KO +170
Calzaghe by KO +268
Lacy by decision +435
Calzaghe by decision +360
Over on rounds 9.5: -130
Under on rounds 9.5: +110
Draw +2250
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