JEFF “LEFT HOOK’’ LACY (21-0, 17 KOs): “I’ve had two months of very serious training and dedication. I have had much more intensity in my training for this fight. Every aspect has gone up a level. I am treating this very seriously.’’
When asked why he has abandoned his normally cheerful attitude and adopted one of more disconcert, Lacy replied: “I am a happy guy, still. I am just focused. I am just ready to fight. I am through with all the talk.”
Re: Calzaghe’s injury before the pair’s previously scheduled bout in November: “Joe and all fighters can be prone to injury. This fight is happening on Saturday night, so that’s what I am looking forward to.”
Re: 20,000 UK fans not supporting the American fighter: “I am not worried about it. I’ve always been the underdog, ever since the Olympics (2000). I like it better. That’s why I didn’t mind coming here to take this fight.”
Re: Calzaghe being viewed as the gatekeeper at 168 pounds: “I don’t like that he and his fights control my future. I don’t like that he’s in control. That’s why we are taking this fight here in Manchester.”
GARY SHAW had this to add: “After Saturday night, Jeff is in control of his destiny. We choose when he fights, where he fights and who he fights. The only thing between Jeff and Jeff’s future is sitting on the other side of this dais. This is a case where when you beat the man, you can not only become the man, you surpass the man. Jeff will be the people’s champion.”
JOE CALZAGHE (40-0, 31 KOs)
Q: After 40 fights and 40 wins, why are people calling this a career-defining fight for you?
“This is the first fight were I have something to gain. Jeff is a highly regarded fighter in the U.S. And he’s got something I want, another belt. This is the biggest fight of my career.
“I am a proud fighter. And in this match up, you have the top two guys fighting. I think if you even ask Jeff Lacy, he’ll tell you the same thing, the belts are a bonus for us. It’s the match up that matters the most. After this fight, I’ll still be the best.”
Asked to compare Jeff to other opponents he’s faced, Calzaghe said: “That is difficult to say. We’ve been waiting for this fight for eight years. This is the fight that fighters dream about. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’ve been waiting to unify the titles for eight years.”
Q: Any aspect of Lacy’s style that you need to look out for?
“I am here to do my thing. I have not seen any one thing or another that I need to look out for. I am coming to fight and Jeff won’t have to look for me in the ring. I’ll be there.”
America’s No. 1 Boxing Network, SHOWTIME continues its 20th anniversary celebration of putting on world-class, great fights on Saturday, March 4, when talented, undefeated, hard-hitting super middleweight world champions Jeff “Left Hook’’ Lacy (International Boxing Federation) and Joe Calzaghe (World Boxing Organization) collide in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The most significant unification world title bout in years – and clearly the biggest in the division since Roy Jones Jr. met James Toney in 1994 – will air live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from the MEN Arena in Manchester, England (2 a.m. local time). The highly anticipated, long-awaited match up is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Frank Warren’s Sport Network.