Jeff Lacy

Jeffrey Scott Lacy (born May 12, 1977) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2015. He held the IBF super middleweight title from 2004 to 2006, and the IBO super middleweight title from 2005 to 2006. Lacy rose to prominence in the early to mid-2000s as a feared puncher in the division, with his physique and knockout record making him one of boxing's top-rated prospects at the time.

Jeff Lacy
Statistics
Real nameJeffrey Scott Lacy
Nickname(s)Left Hook
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 12 in (179 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1977-05-12) May 12, 1977
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights34
Wins27
Wins by KO18
Losses6
No contests1

Amateur career

Lacy had over two hundred fights as an amateur, winning the 1999 National PAL amateur champion at 165 pounds, the 1998 U.S. National amateur champion at 165 pounds, and the 1998 National PAL amateur champion at 165 pounds. Lacy fought at the 1996 Eastern Olympic Trials, stopping Kenneth Head in the first round. In the quarter-finals, Lacy defeated Rubin Williams. In the semi-finals, Lacy lost to Darnell Wilson and finished third.

In the 1997 National Golden Gloves, Lacy again defeated Rubin Williams, but lost against Randy Griffin in the semi-finals and finished in third place. In the quarter-finals of the 2000 Olympic Team trials, Lacy won a decision over Brad Austin. In the semi-finals, Lacy won a decision over Jerson Ravelo. During the finals, Lacy won a 26–10 decision over Randy Griffin.

During the 2000 Olympic Team Box-offs, Lacy lost to Arthur Palac. In his second fight, Lacy defeated him on the scorecards. He was a member of the 2000 United States Olympic boxing team along with future undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. During his first bout in Sydney, Australia, Lacy knocked out Cleiton Conceição of Brazil at 0:58 of the third round. During his second bout, Lacy defeated Pawel Kakietek of Poland, en route to a 21-7 decision. During the third bout, Lacy was stopped at 1:49 of the third round by Gaidarbek Gaidarbekov of Russia.

Lacy completed an amateur record of 209 wins, 12 losses.

Professional career

Rise to stardom

Lacy made his professional debut against Jerald Lowe on February 2, 2001, knocking him out in the first round. He won his next eight fights by way of knockout and won the WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title against Anwar Oshana, by way of technical knockout in round two.

On July 15, 2003, he won the USBA and NABA super middleweight titles after beating Richard Grant by unanimous decision. He defended all three of his belts against Donnell Wiggins by TKO 8. He later fought Syd Vanderpool for the vacant IBF super middleweight title on October 2, 2004, winning by TKO in 8 rounds. He defended it against Omar Sheika, Rubin Williams, former champion Robin Reid, and Scott Pemberton.

Loss to Joe Calzaghe

On March 5, 2006, at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England, Lacy lost his title to Joe Calzaghe. Despite being a favorite going into the fight, Lacy lost by a unanimous points decision and was knocked down in the twelfth round. Lacy, who had promised a knockout victory pre fight, was the betting favorite largely due to his age and the nature of his recent title defenses. He started the fight very aggressively but was immediately troubled by Calzaghe's work-rate and handspeed. Lacy was hit with a plethora of hurtful punches as Calzaghe managed to consistently land a staggeringly high volume of shots. Lacy continued to try and feint his way in quickly to land his famous left hook but Calzaghe was able to evade or ride the shot. As the match wore on Lacy became increasingly disheartened, and his face a bloody mess. The fight became more and more punishing throughout the middle, and into the later rounds with many expecting the referee to halt the action and save Lacy from such a horrendous beating. To the criticism of onlookers, Lacy's corner continued with the fight in the belief that he could still turn the fight around with one punch. In the end the result was extremely one sided with final scores of 119-105, 119-107 and 119-107. A point deducted from Calzaghe in the 11th round was all that prevented Lacy from losing every round on every card. Many observers have been vocal in their belief that the nature of the loss to Calzaghe meant that Lacy was from then on a shell of his former self.

After Calzaghe

Lacy fought a rematch with Vitali Tsypko on December 2, 2006, in Tampa, Florida, on the same card as Winky Wright's fight against Ike Quartey. This was the second time he had fought Tsypko, the first fight in 2004 which ended in a majority decision. Lacy won the fight by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 95-95. After the bout, it was revealed that Lacy had torn his rotator cuff and was injured throughout most of the fight. Lacy had surgery on the injury and did not fight for a year after the bout.

Lacy returned on December 8, 2007, to defeat Peter Manfredo Jr. by a unanimous decision. On July 23, 2008, beat Epifanio Mendoza by a majority decision. Lacy then fought former world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor on November 15, 2008, and lost the fight by unanimous decision,[1] making it only the second loss of his career.

On April 10, 2009, Jeff Lacy defeated Otis Griffin by a majority decision with the scores of 97-93, 96-94, 95-95.

Loss to Roy Jones Jr. and beyond

On August 15, 2009, Lacy suffered a 10th-round technical knockout to Roy Jones Jr..

Sixteen months after the loss to Jones Jr., Lacy returned to his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida to face journeyman Dhafir Smith. Smith defeated Lacy by a unanimous decision.

After almost three years after the loss to Smith, Lacy returned on November 30, 2013 to win a 3rd-round TKO over Martin Verdin in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[2]

Jeff Lacy was knocked out on July 10, 2014 by Umberto Savigne.

Jeff Lacy lost by TKO in the 4th round on January 30, 2015 to undefeated contender Sullivan Barrera.

Personal life

Lacy played the role of Malice Blake in the 2007 boxing movie, "The Hammer", starring and produced by Adam Carolla. Jeff is the younger brother of Hydra Lacy and older brother of undefeated professional heavyweight Kenny Lacy middleweight Marshawn Lacy and son of professional heavyweight Hydra Lacy, Sr.[3]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
34 fights 27 wins 6 losses
By knockout 18 3
By decision 9 3
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
34 Loss 27–6 (1) Sullivan Barrera TKO 4 (8), 2:05 Jan 30, 2015 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
33 Win 27–5 (1) Timothy Hall Jr. UD 8 Dec 11, 2014 TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
32 Loss 26–5 (1) Umberto Savigne TKO 2 (10), 2:04 Jul 10, 2014 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. For vacant WBC Latino light heavyweight title
31 Win 26–4 (1) Martin Verdin TKO 3 (10), 1:19 Nov 30, 2013 Belle Casino, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
30 Loss 25–4 (1) Dhafir Smith UD 12 Dec 11, 2010 Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. For vacant UBO International super middleweight title
29 Loss 25–3 (1) Roy Jones Jr. RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Aug 15, 2009 Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. For WBO–NABO light heavyweight title
28 Win 25–2 (1) Otis Griffin MD 10 Apr 10, 2009 USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
27 Loss 24–2 (1) Jermain Taylor UD 12 Nov 15, 2008 Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
26 Win 24–1 (1) Epifanio Mendoza MD 10 Jul 23, 2008 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
25 Win 23–1 (1) Peter Manfredo Jr. UD 10 Dec 8, 2007 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24 Win 22–1 (1) Vitali Tsypko MD 10 Dec 2, 2006 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
23 Loss 21–1 (1) Joe Calzaghe UD 12 Mar 4, 2006 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Lost IBF super middleweight title;
For WBO, vacant The Ring and lineal super-middleweight titles
22 Win 21–0 (1) Scott Pemberton KO 2 (12), 2:59 Nov 5, 2005 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF and IBO super middleweight titles
21 Win 20–0 (1) Robin Reid RTD 7 (12), 2:54 Aug 6, 2005 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S. Retained IBF super middleweight title;
Won IBO super middleweight title
20 Win 19–0 (1) Rubin Williams TKO 7 (12), 0:47 Mar 5, 2005 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF super middleweight title
19 Win 18–0 (1) Omar Sheika UD 12 Dec 4, 2004 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF super middleweight title
18 Win 17–0 (1) Syd Vanderpool TKO 8 (12), 1:37 Oct 2, 2004 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant IBF super middleweight title
17 NC 16–0 (1) Vitali Tsypko NC 2 (12) Jun 5, 2004 Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, Joplin, Missouri, U.S. NC after Tsypko was cut from an accidental head clash
16 Win 16–0 Donnell Wiggins TKO 8 (12), 2:33 Dec 13, 2003 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Retained WBC Continental Americas, WBA–NABA, and USBA super middleweight titles
15 Win 15–0 Richard Grant UD 12 Jul 15, 2003 Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas and USBA super middleweight titles;
Won vacant WBANABA super middleweight title
14 Win 14–0 Anwar Oshana TKO 2 (12), 1:49 May 17, 2003 City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title
13 Win 13–0 James Crawford TKO 2 (12), 2:57 Feb 22, 2003 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title;
Won vacant USBA super middleweight title
12 Win 12–0 Ross Thompson UD 12 Nov 9, 2002 Coca-Cola Event Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. Won WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title
11 Win 11–0 Jason Collins KO 1 (8), 2:25 Aug 17, 2002 Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales
10 Win 10–0 Kevin Hall RTD 3 (8), 3:00 Jun 8, 2002 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Bobby Jones UD 10 Mar 30, 2002 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Glenn Thomas KO 1 (10), 0:55) Feb 16, 2002 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Fike Wilson TKO 1 (6), 0:50 Jan 12, 2002 Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Bawa Adime TKO 3 (8), 2:16 Oct 13, 2001 Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Tyler Hughes RTD 3 (6), 3:00 Sep 1, 2001 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Anthony Greeley TKO 1 (6), 2:15 Sep 1, 2001 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Tony Pope TKO 1 (6), 2:27 May 19, 2001 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Tommy Attardo KO 1 (4), 1:41 Mar 2, 2001 Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jerald Lowe KO 1 (4), 2:00 Feb 2, 2001 Celeste Center, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

References

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Jorge Hawley
U.S. middleweight champion
1998
Next:
Arthur Palac
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Ross Thompson
WBC Continental Americas
super middleweight champion

November 9, 2002 – June 2004
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Éric Lucas
Vacant
Title last held by
Thomas Tate
USBA super middleweight champion
February 22, 2003 – October 2, 2004
Won IBF title
Vacant
Title next held by
Yusaf Mack
Vacant
Title last held by
Antwun Echols
WBANABA super middleweight champion
July 15, 2003 – March 2004
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Librado Andrade
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by
Robin Reid
IBO super middleweight champion
August 6, 2005 – March 5, 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Fulgencio Zúñiga
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Sven Ottke
IBF super middleweight champion
October 2, 2004 – March 4, 2006
Succeeded by
Joe Calzaghe
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