Roy Jones Vs. Jeff Lacy Preview and Prediction

Former pound for pound champion extraordinaire Roy Jones Jr. is set to face former super middleweight titleholder Jeff Lacy on August 15, 2009. The fight is a further effort from Jones to continue his boxing career and climb back to the pinnacle of the sport.

The Comeback of Roy Jones Jr.

After losing three straight fights, two of which were by knockout in an 18 month period between 2004 and 2005, Roy Jones then strung together three victories, albeit against modest opposition. With his big name at least marginally restored, he earned a shot at the undefeated Joe Calzaghe.

Despite scoring an early flash knockdown, Jones lost essentially every round in the fight, getting busted up in the process. Since that loss, which was in November of 2008, Jones has gotten back into the ring once more. In March of 2009, Jones breezed past the overmatched and shopworn Omar Sheika, disposing of him in five rounds.

The Comeback of Jeff Lacy

Roy Jones suffered a setback against Joe Calzaghe while already in the twilight of his career, but Jeff Lacy suffered a setback against Calzahge far earlier, and in far more devastating fashion.

In the beginning of 2006, Jeff Lacy crossed the pond to take on Calzaghe in a battle of undefeated super middleweight champions. Lacy, the American, was the betting favorite in the fight. What happened next was an utter annihilation, with Calzaghe rendering Lacy and his offensive attack completely useless. Lacy has put together a 4-1 record since, although the wins have also been against mediocre opponents. He has never attained the form he had prior to that fight against Calzaghe.

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Jeff Lacy Prediction

Outside of being eight years his junior, Jeff Lacy can't be said to have much of an advantage over Roy Jones Jr. Jones is faster, with better reflexes, more power and a more complete game. He of course has far more experience and a vastly superior pedigree. The bout was made more for the interest of Floridians than for the rest of us - Jones Jr. is famously from Pensacola, Florida, while Lacy hails from St. Petersburg.

Lacy is not the pressure fighter that Glen Johnson is, and isn't particularly quick of foot or offensively versatile. Adding to Jeff Lacy's problems is that despite his alias - Left Hook - he was never a true power puncher, and his left hook was never particularly awe inspiring. That all but takes away his one remaining chance at victory in the fight, knocking Jones out with one brilliant punch.

While going 4-4 in his last eight fights, Roy Jones has only scored one victory by stoppage. His unwillingness to unleash was of course the largest legitimate criticism that he faced even during his prime. Considering that Lacy was battered by Calzaghe, overmatched against Jermain Taylor and badly hurt by journeyman Epifanio Mendoza but never stopped, this fight has all the makings of a decision.

Jones coasts and occasionally makes you remember the mid 90s "Superman" - Ya'll musta' forgot! - but ultimately fails to impress while taking a wide unanimous decision from Lacy.