Not too long ago I posted about Jeff Lacy and the effects of a good beatdown. Last night on ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights, I saw it again. Jeff Lacy is no longer an elite fighter. The beatdown Lacy took against Joe Calzaghe damaged his career more than he will ever admit. Lacy won a MD over Epifanio Mendoza but looked bad doing it. This fight was supposed to be a true tune-up for Lacy as he tries to get a fight with Jermain Taylor later this year. Mendoza is not an elite fighter by any means. I saw many flaws in his style last night. Lacy has always had flaws such as a wide punch and lack of defense. Well Lacy has not improved on either flaw yet. Mendoza hurt Lacy several times throughout the fight. In my opinion, in round 8 Lacy was almost out. Mendoza had hurt Lacy causing Lacy to stumble. As Lacy stumbled, he tackled Mendoza. After those few seconds on the ground, he got back up. Lacy appeared to be a beaten man. When the decision was read, Lacy was booed. Lacy promised a impressive showing, but he didn't. Yes it was a very good fight, but not the one you expect from a guy who swears he has not lost anything. And what was up with one side of his face shaved and the other side not??? Lacy looked in tremendous shape, his body is always that of a bodybuilder. However in boxing, your chisled chest does not win you the fight. Yes Lacy got the win, but those who know boxing know Lacy is no longer an elite fighter. I am starting to worry about the amount of blows he is taking because I feel he is shot. Lacy was shot in March 2006 and he is in critical condition. I don't think he will ever fully recover. He will be able to function but he will never be the same.
2 comments:
Lacy is an example of what piss poor management and training will do to a fighter.
He was brought up to fast.
He had flaws in his style that any half decent trainer could have weeded out of him but he stuck with the same trainers.
He built a following but instead leveraging a fight state side with joe he went over there when no one was even sure Joe was that good.
He is a fighter who can fight only one way, now I dont know if that can change.
A shame.
Clean Mike I have to agree with you. Lacy was brought up to fast because of his KO style, but no one attempted to correct his flaws. He has always thrown those wide punches and gets out of a defensive stance when he does so. Calzaghe was more than ready for an amateur professional like Lacy. Lacy will never be the same.
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