The Definition of Insanity: Lacy vs Calzaghe

Whether Lacy was good or not, it was still a great acheivment for Joe, who had never stepped up to try and win a recognised title until he was 34. But you know, he managed it at long last, credit to him for eventually managing it.

He managed it much later the rest of the English SMWs who were capable of winning recognised SMW world titles way earlier like groves, froch, chunky, reid, woodhall, benn - but the importance is that finally managed it when a real titlist like lacy came along, in one of joes last fights and after a 15 year wait to win a recognised title.

Dont pretend it didnt happen.

To be fair, Lacy then got stopped by a 40something, so he wasnt much good was he. But worth joe waiting 15 years for.

 

The revisionista persist in trying to denigrate Calzaghe's victory ...as though it was a foregone conclusion that Lacy was no good from the very beginning...but that's a lie. The build up to this fight was full of "experts" who were sure that Jeff would blow Joe away like he did his other opponents...most notably Scott Pemberton just prior to his meeting JC. It was nothing short of a total blowout...a masterful performance by Joe Calzaghe...and if Jeff Lacy was no good, it was because Joe ruined him.

 

Very good win for Joe and the catalyst for him getting the recognition he deserved and going on to beat Kessler, RJJ and Bore-Hop.

Lacy was tailor made for Calzaghe in all honesty, slow and one dimensional (but powerful and tough). Hadn't seen him fight before that night but heard the 'experts' say he was a miniature Mike Tyson and Joe was in for the fight of his life then in the buildup they showed some clips of Lacy - couldn't believe how slow the guy was, knew he had no chance after that.

 

I was at this fight. I won a lot of money on Calzaghe. I remember being on the maxboxing boards telling everyone it would be easy for Joe. Very few gave him a chance.

 

It is funny that you wouldn’t realize this by looking at our forum both in general and classic. You are right that very few gave Calzaghe a chance...I personally thought he was an overhyped and protected British fighter. It wasn’t till after this that I began to take a deeper look at him and gained a huge appreciation for him. Congratulations on winning some money (fortunately I didn’t bet it or I would have lost some lol). I am just amazed at how many people say they were picking Calzaghe today when so few actually did at the time.

 

but to all intents joe was at the time. He didnt even get mention in papers. There were full page coverage of other Brits but joe would only get one liners if ever. He was a constant in the "tiny writing" updates, as if he was an embarrasment. But outboxing Lacy changed all that, he showed the world he was world class, not a joke. Shame he left shortly after to protect the record.

 

True, but there's no question Lacy was overhyped.

I remember thinking he was overhyped. I had watched some of his fights and his lack of defense and one dimensionality was readily apparent.

 

I don’t really think he was overhyped as much as he was just outclassed. Calzaghe exposed flaws in his defense and creating angles of attack and taking away any good angles and lines for the slower Lacy. I don’t think he was ever the same physically or confidence (mentally/emotionally) afterwards. I think his corner did him a huge disservice and should have stopped it around 8-9 and spared him the further humiliation. I don’t think there were quite so many apart from Joe who would dismantle him in such a fashion. Joe was on another level and I don’t think he would have been “exposed” by the others of that era. Just my $0.02

 

I agree Calzaghe should get full credit for the win.

But, it should have been apparent to more observers that Lacy was one-dimensional.

HBO was really pushing him.

 

Yeah, but that wasn't Calzaghe's fault, nor his problem.....I think Roy Jones got more acclaim and positive write-ups from his second hand stoppage over a ruined and depleted Lacy.

 

Yeah it’s like nobody picked Lacy. Trinidad-Hopkins is similar. Everyone “knew” Hopkins would win yet I know about three people who thought he’d win. I picked Tito in that one.

 

Lol, well I am a Philly guy so that is one I did get right lol

 

No, it wasn't Calzaghe's fault or problem. I am not denigrating him or trying to take anything away from him. I was merely pointing out that HBO's incessant hype had many casuals, and some hard core fans, thinking Lacy was better than he was.

 

I am going to be in Philly soon. Got some NYC trips coming up so I will make a trip on one. I want to check out the Fraizier statue.