Jeff ‘Left Hook’ Lacy, top of the mountain

(07/28/05 Ringside Report) By John Lepak
Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy made it to the mountain top in boxing the old fashion way, he fought his way there. Lacy, had a very successful amateur career where he won several distinguished titles including the 1998 US National Championship and was a two-time (1998/1999) PAL National Champion. Lacy also represented the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games. He closed out his amateur career with an incredible record of 209-12.

"Left Hook" then laced up the 10 oz. gloves as a professional and began knocking out opponents as soon as they were being lined up. His pro debut was originally scheduled for January 2001, but the morning of the fight, his opponent, Kevin Butts, was last seen heading to the bus station because he reportedly wanted no part of Lacy. One month later he turned pro on February 2nd, 2001 and 21 months later, and 11 victims later, he won the WBC Continental America's championship with a 12 round decision over the durable veteran Ross Thompson. Lacy added the USBA and NABA super-middleweight belts soon after. It should be noted that if it was not for suffering a broken hand in his third professional fight, he would have no doubt moved along at a much faster pace of development.

Lacy developed quickly by devouring a steady diet of opponents that showed him a variety of styles. The young contender answered the critics early on by showing endurance, patience, strength and awesome punching power.

On October 2, 2004, Lacy stepped up to challenge for the vacant IBF Super middleweight championship in his 18th professional fight. Standing in front of him would be his toughest challenge to date, veteran southpaw Syd Vanderpool. To add to the pressures of challenging for his first world title, Lacy's every move was followed by A&E television cameras while filming a documentary at Caesars Palace. When the bell rang for fight time, Lacy quickly solved every trick the crafty southpaw Vanderpool tried, wearing him down before the referee saved Vanderpool from further punishment in the 8th round. Jeff Lacy was now a World Champion.

To their credit, Lacy's team wasted no time getting their newly crowned champion back in the ring. On December 4, 2004, Lacy defended his title against power-punching Omar Sheika. Sheika came up short on challenging for the world championship on two previous occasions, but remains to this day, as the kind of fighter who can turn your lights out at any given moment. Lacy showed along with being able to stand toe-to-toe, he could also demonstrate great poise in the line of fire as he won a unanimous 12 round decision to retain his IBF championship.

Team Lacy took little time off and returned to the ring on March 5, 2005 to battle prospect Rubin "Hollywood" Williams. Williams gave a brave challenge, but it wasn't enough to hold off the aggressive Lacy. Lacy was ahead on all 3 of the judges score cards when the referee stopped the fight at 0:47 of the 7th round.

Lacy has quickly developed into one of boxing's most promising fighters. While Lacy takes care of business inside the ring, he has surrounded himself with one of the most solid teams in boxing today outside the ring. His team consists of trainer Dan Birmingham, manager Shelly Finkel, advisor Jim Wilkes and the man who has been by his side since his days as an Olympian, promoter Gary Shaw. Lacy also has a very close relationship with pound-for-pound boss Winky Wright.

With each victory he continues to answer all the questions asked of a young fighter. In only 20 professional fights he has shown us he can beat fighters by punching or boxing. Along with his wins in the ring, he has also managed to win over the fans with an exciting style combined with that "special" type of charm associated with so many of boxing's legendary champions.

In order to continue on the road to becoming a legend, Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy will next defend his IBF Super middleweight championship and his undefeated record of 19-0 with 15 KO's, against Robin Reid on August 6th on Showtime Championship Boxing. This will be Lacy's 13th appearance on Showtime Boxing.

Reid is the former WBC Super middleweight Champion and enters the ring with an impressive record of 38-4-1 with 27 KO's. The durable Reid holds wins over some of the division's best including former world champion Vincenzo Nardiello, Giovanni Pretorius, Henry Wharton, Hacine Cherifi, Julio Caesar Vasquez and most recently, a 12 round win over Brian Magee. Reid's 4 loses include a controversial 12 round split decision loss to WBO Super middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe and most recently a 12 round loss against Sven Ottke in a IBF/WBA championship bout.

While Reid brings an iron chin and some very impressive credentials to the ring, it will not be enough to hold off the attack of Lacy. I look for Lacy to come out strong in front of his hometown fans and take the action right to Reid from the opening bell. Don't be surprised if you see Lacy show off some of his boxing skills at times, but I am looking for the power punching Lacy to give us some fireworks and end this one somewhere in the middle rounds.

Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy will remain unbeaten and will once again show the boxing world the difference between a good fighter, and that special fighter that only comes around every so often.