Truth is Des, before Lacy was beaten we would all probably say Lacy. Lacys destruction of R Reid was impressive. I think if we went back in time it would be a case of most saying Lacy pointing to how Bute was lucky to survive Andrade etc, its just Calzaghe did such a good job, Lacy then got moved down the ladder and never recovered. Remember Lacy was favourite against a fighter that had beaten many top 10 SMWs and had beaten fighters that had been SMW world champs in Woodhall, Veit, Brewer, Mitchell, Reid and Eubank which is a better bunch than Bute has beaten, not to forget other then top 10 SMWs that he beat
Doesn't make Calzaghe's mauling of Lacy any less impressive. I'm basing my opinion on having watched both fighters operate.
I realise that, but before Lacy was beaten many felt he was the second coming. Now after he has lost we all see and say different but before that Lacy looked very impressive
People often see what they want to see. I find this especially true of ESB. Lacy was better than he showed after the JC fight. But he was never as good as some made him out to be. I too thought he would beat Joe, but that was due to underrating Joe as opposed to thinking Lacy was the next Tyson.
I think Lacy was in a Fight Night game, while Ward, Froch, Bute, Martinez, Donaire have not until now and from my knowledge.
Box101 - Nothing brutal about that loss? Ok Beastside boxing - Bute won a title vactated by Calzaghe, maybe some lesser name won it inbetween but not a real champ. Bute has also been KO'd during his title reighn.