Steve Kim

It's Showtime for Lacy and Marquez, but it Won't be for Brittle-ly Klitschko
By Steve Kim (November 7, 2005) Photo © HoganPhotos.com

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In boxing, news travels at the speed of light. Gossip is spread around like it's a high school hallway and the scuttlebutt among those who made the trek up to Lake Tahoe this weekend to see the impressive display of power punching by Jeff Lacy and Rafael Marquez at the Caesars Tahoe centered around the talk of Vitaly Klitschko's bum knee.

Those rumors turned out to be true, bringing about a postponement of next week's bout but as one anticipated fight was erased (at least for the time being) one may have come closer to coming back from the dead.

Lacy made his fourth Showtime-televised IBF 168-pound title defense by putting the 'Sandman' Scott Pemberton to sleep in the second round with a series of hard overhand rights.

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"He is undeniably the closest fighter out there to the old Mike Tyson," said Lacy's promoter Gary Shaw at the post-fight presser. "Every punch that Jeff Lacy throws is to the sky. And he throws it from his ankles, to his thighs, to his ass, to his biceps, all the way. The fans know when he gets in the ring they're going to see a real fight."

Which is true. 'Left Hook' has quickly become one of the most crowd pleasing fighters in the sport.

"I'm all about giving the fans and everybody the fights they want to see," Lacy said. "(In) 2006, I'm looking to continue doing the same thing. If I could fight 10 times (a year) I would do it."

Lacy is an ever-improving fighter who's rounding out his over all arsenal. While he'll never be Willie Pep or Wilfredo Benitez in slipping punches, he is now at least keeping his hands up more consistently and parrying on-coming shots more regularly.

"I'm elated," said Lacy trainer Dan Birmingham of his boxer's progress. "Jeff is learning and not afraid to learn."

For his part, Lacy add: "I work hard and it shows in the ring. I get stronger and stronger as the fight goes on and if it strikes fear to everybody in my weight division - or down or above - I'm going to continue to do it because that's the type of person I am. I'm not going to change for anybody."

One thing that will never change about the native of Tampa is his unwavering power.

"He hits hard, very good," said a still weary Pemberton about an hour after the fight. "He's probably one of the hardest punchers that I've been in with."

So who's next? Lacy's team seems to have set their sights on light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver for a battle of Tampa supremacy, and once again, WBO super middleweight titlist Joe Calzaghe.

So does Lacy go with this or that?

"Being that it's hard to get Calzaghe over here, I'm going to have to go with Antonio Tarver. I want Antonio," answered Lacy.

Problem is, that fight may simply not be feasible at this moment. And they may be revisiting an old issue because of it.

"Calzaghe wants us to come over there and they're willing to make any deal they can for us to come over there," said Shaw, who thought they had a deal to face Calzaghe on this past weekend's date in Europe before the Welshman suffered an injury in his last bout in September.

"I don't think they'll come over here," continued Shaw, of Calzaghe and promoter Frank Warren. "I don't know of any Warren fighter that's ever been here until they left Frank. So I've had just one discussion with Al Heymon, an advisor to Antonio, I've had candidly, one conversation, with Joe DeGuardia (Tarver's promoter).

"I will tell you that Joe called me this week and said he and I will speak on Monday. Do I think Tarver will fight him? No, I think Tarver will run from him. But y'know every time Jeff gets in the ring he scares more opponents away and we have trouble. It reminds me of Winky Wright, I represent him, nobody wants to fight him. So do I think Antonio Tarver will take the fight? No, I think he's a movie star. So we'll sit down and talk with Jeff and ultimately, the final decision rests with Jeff Lacy. If he wants to go over to England or he says 'absolutely not'. Shelly (Finkel) and I will sit down. We'll give him options and he'll make it."

So while Lacy may not cross the 'Mason Dixon' line, he might be going overseas. Even though Shaw stated "We can stay here and fight and earn money."

There's no question which bout Showtime, which has had both Lacy and Calzaghe on their airwaves many times over, wants to see on the first weekend of February.

"In my mind, it's not about who I'd like to see him fight, it's who he should fight," said Showtime's Jay Larkin. "He should fight Joe Calzaghe; that's the fight. That's the fight that anyone interested in boxing wants to see at that weight class right now. And anybody other than Joe for Jeff and anybody other than Jeff for Joe is a waste of time."

Larkin would get a late night call from Warren, with a simple message: "Make the fight." The last time he delivered such an edict was on behalf of Ricky Hatton was after seeing Kostya Tszyu demolish Sharmba Mitchell last year.

Not much negotiating would have to be done to make this super, super middleweight unification tilt a reality.

"A few days ago, Frank and Gary were on a conference call with Showtime and I can tell you we came pretty close to making it a reality for February," said Larkin. "I would say right now the odds are better than 50-50 that it's heading in that direction."

Warren would tell MaxBoxing (via Larkin's cell phone Saturday night) "We absolutely want to make the fight."

But if there is a remaining snag, it's the fact that this bout will most likely have to take place on Calzaghe's home turf to fully maximize it's financial potential. Shaw is correct that his man can make good money fighting in the States but fighting Calzaghe in Europe will add an extra '0' at the end of his paycheck.

"Without question the fight needs to be in the U.K.," states Larkin. "Simply because of the size of the gate.
Jeff Lacy here in America is a 'fight fan's fighter'. He's not yet a cross-over fighter that goes beyond the hardcore fan to the occasional fan. He will be a cross-over fighter, he has absolutely all the ingredients once he has that defining fight.

"Contrary to that, Joe, at his home base, is a cross-over fighter. Joe Calzaghe could fight me and sell out an arena in the U.K. For that reason, the fight needs to happen in the U.K. It's strictly an economic reason having to do with the gate."

A Lacy-Calzaghe clash would be one of the early gems of 2006 if it comes to fruition. A badly needed bout in a division that has been for so long devoid of any star power since the defections of Roy Jones and James Toney in the mid-90's. A showdown between a shooting star attempting to cement his ascent into transcendent appeal against a veteran champion looking to secure his legacy.

Opening up this past weekend's Showtime telecast was Marquez successfully defending his IBF bantamweight title by quieting South African Silence Mabuza on cuts in four heats with a blistering array of punches delivered with force, accuracy and precision.

"Marquez just blew me away tonight," marveled Larkin, who made it clear that he is interested in future bouts of his. "I've heard many people say he's the best bantamweight in the world; tonight, I believe he's the best bantamweight in the world. Tonight, I saw a fighter, a right-handed orthodox fighter use his left hand like a heat seeking missile. He was perfection tonight. I'm very much a Rafael Marquez fan as of this moment."

But first he has to go about the business of getting a promoter. Shaw would acquire his rights for the Mabuza bout by winning the purse bid. As of now, he's a free agent.

"We definitely need to sit down and see the options," said Marquez when asked about his future. "I'm going to talk to my manager Nacho Beristain and we will decide soon who's going to be our next promoter."

BRITTLE-LY

It's becoming clear that WBC heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitschko is boxing's version of Grant Hill or a sports car that you can't seem to get out of the garage - one that's high priced and powerful yet delicate at the same time.

With his various ailments Klitschko's 2005 has been a complete bust.

"I found out yesterday that Thursday when he was sparring his right knee (popped), he pulled his meniscus and they went to a doctor and then Bob Arum brought him to Tony Daly," said Klitschko's advisor Shelly Finkel in Tahoe, where he was in town to see another one of his clients, Lacy, in action. "They put a brace on him to see if it could work because he was able to do everything else. But when he went into the ring today and sparred a little, the brace couldn't do it."

As of now it's unclear when a make-up date will be announced.

"He's going to a Dr. Steadman in Vail, Colorado this week and then after the prognosis, they'll hopefully reschedule the fight," said Finkel.

Perhaps they should go consult Benny Hinn.

Nobody is questioning the validity of the injury (since ticket sales at the Thomas and Mack were going well) or saying that any fighter should fight with such a handicap, but could it be that Klitschko is simply breaking down; his warranty long passed?

"Hopefully not," answered Finkel, "but of course you have to be somewhat concerned that these things happen. But he's still young, he's 34, he's a strong physical person. He was OK all through camp and (the knee) just went."

Currently, Klitschko is like that stalled 18-wheel big rig during rush hour that has traffic backed for miles. His bout with Rahman was perhaps going to be the first step in giving this division some clarity and a clear pecking order.

Now, others must wait for their shot at the man many consider the world's premiere heavyweight.

"I'm just so in shock," said WBO titlist Lamon Brewster on Saturday night. "I'm so disappointed, I just really found out, it's like somebody snatched the curtain off me."

Now, he's like the guy waiting at the DMV on Monday morning.

"This is longer, because at least they call numbers," he quipped. "But this fight, man, I was looking forward to this fight so I could fight for the WBC title. Not necessarily because it's Vitaly Klitschko, but I want that WBC title and I don't care who has it."

You wonder how much this adversely effects the marketability of Klitschko, after all, it's tough to push a product that may not show up.

"Up 'till this year, it hasn't been a problem," countered Finkel. "And I hope that he'll have the shot one more time with Rahman and prove that he's OK."
As for his fighter's spirits, Finkel said: "Worse than mine and mine were pretty bad."

CASTILLO AND MARGARITO

In truth, Klitschko is financially set for the rest of his life with the earnings he has procured as a heavyweight. So the guys that are really damaged by this postponement are guys like WBA jr. bantamweight titlist Martin Castillo and WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who were both scheduled to go as featured performers on that undercard.

For all their accomplishments, Castillo and Margarito are still living from paycheck to paycheck in this game.

There is some speculation that Castillo's rematch against Alexander Munoz could be moved to the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales II on January 21st.

Now, what to do about Margarito's bout with Manny Gomez?

Well, I got an idea (which I hear is being kicked around). How 'bout moving that bout underneath Floyd Mayweather's date with Sharmba Mitchell on November 19th in Portland, Oregon on HBO? It would make sense on several fronts. First, you can start to build a storyline for a future Mayweather-Margarito duel. Secondly, since Klitschko-Rahman is postponed, there will be no rebroadcast that night. And finally and most importantly, fight fans shouldn't have to suffer with having Mayweather-Mitchell be the only bout of that telecast.

At least Margarito-Gomez will provide some fireworks.

Problem is, I don't think given some recent events that Dan Goossen (who is promoting the bout on the 19th) and Bob Arum are really seeing eye to eye as of now.

FINAL FLURRIES

Hey, so is it 'Chin Chekmate' for Jaidon Codrington?..... I hear that newly minted WBC 108-pound champ Brian Viloria will be on the undercard of Pacquiao-Morales II..... Hey, how 'bout them Hurricanes? I guess Larry Coker can keep his job for another week....... Will the new moniker for Klitschko-Rahman be 'Hide and Seek'?