Calzaghe Vs Lacy (DVD)

...challenger.

Calzaghe on the other hand has always been an understated fighter. Since his early days when he won the belt off of Chris Eubank, he has never got the acclaim he deserved. This is perhaps because there were bigger fighters at the time across the pond in Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior. However this was a fight that could catch the eye and the imagination of the American public. The bruiser (Lacy) against the pugilist ...
...this DVD would know that Calzaghe retired undefeated, its not hard top work out who won! (I guess it’s a bit like watching Titanic, you know the ending but is still entertaining enough!) so here goes.


Round One

An incredible start for Calzaghe who thundered in left and right jabs to the face of Lacy. The American looked intent on damage but could not find the target


Round Two

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Over the many years of collecting and watching boxing DVDs, you sometimes come across a fight that really gets the adrenaline flowing. I’ve got a fair few relics from boxing’s past with fights like Benn v Eubank, Tyson v Bruno and Lewis v Tyson However in the more modern era of boxing, these gems are harder to find. You have to filter your way down the divisions from the ailing heavyweights and welterweights to much more exciting battle royales in the lower divisions, namely, the super middleweights and Joe Calzaghe.

Alas, one of the best fighters Britain has ever produced has now retired, but you can watch one of his finest moments in full Technicolor with his incredible fight against Jeff Lacy.

Just to put this fight into context, Jeff Lacy at the time of the fight was the challenger, however entered the ring with an unbeaten record. He held the other super middleweight belt (IBF) so this was a unification fight, whoever won would get all the belts and would become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.

Lacy’s reputation as a fighter was fearsome. He boasted an undefeated record going into the fight and had even gained the nickname “left hook” Lacy for his thunderous left hooks to body and head. Fighting out of America, he was tipped as “the next big thing” with some likening his fighting style to a young Mike Tyson. Infact such was the hype surrounding this fighter, he was installed as the pre-fight favourite despite being the challenger.

Calzaghe on the other hand has always been an understated fighter. Since his early days when he won the belt off of Chris Eubank, he has never got the acclaim he deserved. This is perhaps because there were bigger fighters at the time across the pond in Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior. However this was a fight that could catch the eye and the imagination of the American public. The bruiser (Lacy) against the pugilist (Calzaghe) or as one commentator put it, beauty against the beast. A complete clash of styles, but who would be the victor?

I must admit watching the fight live was incredible but this DVD really captured all the pre fight nerves and build-up really well. You still get the huge sense of drama surrounding the occasion and even knowing the result of the fight, it still gives me butterflies as you relive every dodge, weave and punch.

I was wondering whether or not to include a synopsis of the fight or not but on the basis everyone who would buy this DVD would know that Calzaghe retired undefeated, its not hard top work out who won! (I guess it’s a bit like watching Titanic, you know the ending but is still entertaining enough!) so here goes.

Round One

An incredible start for Calzaghe who thundered in left and right jabs to the face of Lacy. The American looked intent on damage but could not find the target

Round Two

Blood was already seeping out of the nose of Jeff Lacy. His stockier build was not getting a chance to bully Joe as he tried in vain to cope with Calzaghe South paw stance.

Round Three

A torrid round for Lacy as Calzaghe was finding the target with quick incisive combinations. Lacy had thrown a couple of his signiture left hooks but to no avail. Calzaghe was too quick and slick for the cumbersome looking Lacy

Round Four

Lacy was encouraged by a thundering right hand into Calzaghe’s head, however his encouragment was momentary as Calzaghe peppered him with yet more vicious combinations. A nasty cut above Lacy’s left eye was the result of his efforts. Calzaghe was looking immense.

Round Five

Spurred on by his cut, Lacy came looking for Calzaghe. He didn’t get what he was looking for however as Calzaghe started to counter punch with devastating accuracy. Even this early on in the fight, Lacy looked dejected

Round Six

More of the same. Lacy marching forward, Calzaghe picking him off with fast combinations. It was already a one sided fight, it was now a question of how much more Lacy was willing to take. That’s said, Lacy’s power still meant while he was standing, he was still a threat.

Round Seven

I thought it was ending in this round. Lacy smashed a beautiful left hook into the face of Calzaghe, however it did not have the debilitating effect it intended but rather spurned Calzaghe onto a ferocious assault. These were dangerous times as Calzagher can sometimes get a little head strung and drawn into battles. He didn’t but instead destroyed Lacy with blistering rights and lefts. Lacy was clinging on at the end.

Round Eight

Already Lacy was so far behind in the fight, his corner were telling him he needed a knockout. This seemed to ignite Lacy who produced his best round of the fight and possibly nicked it. That said, Calzaghe still seemed in complete control and seemed to have very little respect for Lacy’s mythical power.

Round Nine

Things were looking desperate for Lacy. He was once again comprehensively outboxed in this round and only his desire alone kept him on his feet. He gained some encouragment from a looping left hook which found its mark, but one which seemed to have little effect on quelling Calzaghes thirst for victory.

Round Ten

Another concussive round for Lacy who by now must have been counting the clock. He was not allowed a moments peace to gather himself for and assault as Calzaghe rained in with yet more slicing shots. Lacy’s face was dejected as well as being a bloodied mess. Cuts were on both eyes now and victory appeared to be well out of his grasp.

Round Eleven

Calzaghe may have lost this round, but it wasn’t because of Lacy. An illegal punch mean’t he was docked a point. I’m sure Lacy was relieved, but it was short lived as Calzaghe took control and dealt another beating. Probably a drawn round.

Round Twelve

The end was in sight for Lacy, however noone knew if it was the bell that would save end it, the doctor on cuts or a decisive blow from the rampant Calzaghe. It was almost all three as Calzaghe smashed a huge straight right into the face of Lacy which sent him to the canvas for the first time. I’m not sure what made him get up, but he did and my respect for him grew. He had been taught a boxing lesson by the nimble Calzaghe, the beast had indeed been tamed. 119-107 (twice) and 119-105 highlighted the huge margin of victory.

CONCLUSION

If you like boxing then this DVD is one of the best out there. The dvd is available on eBay for just £2.99 so its an absolute bargain. It has a running time of about 75 minutes and shows the build-up, fight and after fight celebrations and Interviews. This truly is a slice of British boxing history and an amazing fight to boot.

Hope you enjoyed my review as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Regards,

Logan 

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