The Forgotten Fight: Taylor Vs. Lacy

In the midst of  Bernard Hopkins’ surprise upset, the much publicized Jones vs. Calzaghe Pay-Per-View, the eagerly anticipated Hatton vs. Maliginaggi World Championship fight, and the boxing event of the year—Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya, there is another fight this November that we should be paying attention to.

Jermain Taylor vs. Jeff Lacy on Nov. 15.  While it is not the only non-title bout amongst these “super fights,” it is definitely the least appealing. 

Both Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy have suffered a traumatic slide in popularity (that was never that big to begin with) since losing their undefeated records last year to Kelly Pavlik, boxing's new all-American boy, and Joe Calzaghe, boxing’s Mr. Family Man. 

True, Lacy and Taylor offer little in terms of public appeal, and neither was ever considered exceptionally talented, and neither is going to the Hall of fame. But this is a bout that deserves our attention. Why?

Because they’re still fighters.

The “crossroads” angle has been played up for Calzaghe-Jones, and most likely will be for Pacquiao-De La Hoya, but the fight that truly has two men meeting at a critical point in life’s journey will be on HBO Nov. 15. After their respective losses, both men tried to regroup and move forward, neither did so very successfully.

Now, as another great boxing year comes to a close, both find themselves needing a big win over a “name” opponent to get back on track. Thus, they have found each other.

Note also, that I said “big win." Since their names haven’t commanded much respect for a while now, Lacy since the Calzaghe fight, Taylor since his draw with Winky Wright, whoever wins will have to do so in dramatic fashion.

A stellar knockout, a flamboyant one-sided decision, or, best case scenario for us fans, a hard fought, bitter, but spectacular split decision that commands a rematch. Whoever emerges victorious, if they do so in the fashion I have described, will get at least one more shot at stardom before being relegated to “old man” status. The loser will become an opponent. 

Why is this match so pivotal for each of these men? Why, when I’m not really a fan of either, am I writing about it? Because this is a last chance fight. Not just to reestablish themselves, but to answer the lingering questions that have plagued them throughout their careers. 

Lacy’s heart has not been in question (how many Calzaghe right hands did he walk through just to get hit with more?) but his skills are. At one time, he was a wunderkind. Now he is considered somewhat of a disappointment. Taylor’s speed and combinations are pretty good, but his heart, power, and fighting desire are not. 

This is a good matchup, boxer vs. slugger, and old but tested pitch. Also, these two men can really push each other into new and darker places, mentally and emotionally, if they aren’t there already.

Boxing sense has us believing that this fight will be average at best. Taylor probably won’t be able to hurt Lacy, and Lacy may not be able to hit Taylor. However, if both men come to fight, it’ll be a good one. After all, they both have desperation and fear on their side and those are motivating emotions. Every so often, the right fighters meet at the right time to spark an unexpected classic.

This may just be one of those times.