by James Slater — Originally, it was announced that former middleweight champion of the world Jermain Taylor, in moving up to 168 pounds, would face Britain’s unbeaten Carl Froch in a WBC super-middleweight title bout (title currently vacant). Then it was decided Froch carried insufficient name power in America to make the fight a big hit, and “Bad Intentions” would instead face former IBF 168 pound champ Jeff Lacy..
Well, according to recent news given on Steve Bunce’s Boxing Hour Show on Setanta T.V, it looks like the fight that will take place is Taylor-Lacy. Not only that, but as Joe Calzaghe is soon to be stripped of his WBO super-middleweight belt (according to news given on the show), Taylor-Lacy would contest the vacant belt. Such a fight is pencilled in for November 23rd on HBO. It all depends of whether or not “Left Hook” gets by his July 23rd fight with Epifanio Mendoza unscathed. As for Froch, if Taylor does indeed face Lacy, “The Cobra” may box Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC strap – with the possibility of the winner facing Taylor (should he get past Lacy) later on down the road. At present, a number of details remain to be worked out by promoter Lou DiBella with regards to the Taylor/Froch/Lacy saga.
As of now, however, Froch is still saying he should be fighting Taylor and that Lacy is not as formidable a fighter for “Bad Intentions” as he is.
“Jeff Lacy hasn’t fought anybody since Joe Calzaghe floored him,” Froch said. “He hasn’t done anything since then, he’s not a big name. They think Lacy’s an easier fight than I am. I agree with them. But the fact is I’m the number one contender with the WBC and Jermain Taylor’s next in line.”
What do the fans think should happen? Which fight do you guys want to see taking place – Taylor-Froch, or Taylor-Lacy? Both bouts are undeniably intriguing. Froch, arguably yet to be tested at the highest level, has looked the real deal so far in his unbeaten career, but he has shown defensive lapses from time to time. As for Lacy, though he was badly beaten by Calzaghe, he maintains he is still hungry and is a far better fighter than he appeared to be in his sole career defeat.
For what it’s worth, I think both fights are winnable ones for Taylor. After all, the Arkansas-native has only lost to the superb Kelly Pavlik – and in ultra-competitive fights at that. For Britain, a Taylor-Froch fight would be a very exciting fight. But the fact remains that Jeff Lacy IS a bigger and more recognisable name in The States.
Whoever Taylor winds up fighting next, be it Lacy or be it Froch, I see the former middleweight champ’s hand being raised.