Roy Jones Jr fights Jeff Lacy this weekend on pay-per-view. The fight is titled Hook City and emanates from Biloxi, Mississippi. The event begins at 9pm ET. There is a lot at stake in this fight as the loser can all but kiss his career goodbye.
Roy Jones Jr vs. Jeff Lacy
Money Line: Jones -600; Lacy +400
At 40-years-old, Roy Jones Jr is limping towards the finish line of his career. Jones Jr is a fighter that dominated the 90’s but is now only a winner in four of his last eight fights. And none of those four wins were against top-notch competition. Felix Trinidad had been retired for three years prior to getting in the ring with Roy last year. In his prime, it seemed like boxing was the last thing on Jones’ mind. He wanted to be a basketball player. He wanted to be a rapper. That’s what makes this act of lingering around so confusing. Only Roy knows why he’s still getting into the ring. He’s shown a suspect chin in his losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. That’s something that Jeff Lacy has the power to exploit. Sometime the best way to learn is through repetition. Another KO loss could finally be enough to convince Jones Jr that his time is up.
Jeff Lacy has had an interesting career. He was hyped as much as any fighter could be and was dubbed the heir apparent to Joe Calzaghe’s super middleweight crown in 2006. Lacy was mauled that night by Calzaghe. He’s never been the same since, despite only losing one fight during that stretch. Jeff Lacy does not have a career-defining victory on his resume. The question remains if beating a washed-up Roy Jones even counts as a credible victory? Jeff Lacy’s star is falling. One more loss and the light on that star goes away. He’s never gotten over the hump in his career and has had difficulties with quicker fighters that can box around him while avoiding his power. Lacy will need to disrupt Jones’ rhythm and land some heavy lumber if he wants to have a shot at saving his career.
Fight Predictions
Corey: Jones and Lacy were both completely dominated in their last major fights, which happened a week apart in November last year; Jones against Joe Calzaghe; Lacy, Jermain Taylor. With that said, a loss for either probably means retirement, especially for the 40-year-old Jones. But I don’t see Roy losing this fight. Lacy, like Jones, was also dominated by Calzaghe back in 2006. Taken with the loss to Taylor, it’s clear Lacy has severe issues with guys with hand speed. And even though Jones has lost a lot of the speed that made him so great, he should still have enough to handle Lacy. There’s not much gas left in either guy’s tank at this point, but I think Roy has more and will win a wide decision over Lacy, 118-110.
Trent: I’ve never been sold on Jeff Lacy. If he hasn’t realized his potential at 32 years of age then it’s not coming. This was a misread by many in the boxing community. He’s certainly a capable fighter but nowhere near the stud he was hyped up to be. While I have questions about Lacy’s talent, I also question the motivation of Roy Jones Jr. I believe that Roy is the more skilled fighter right now, but I also believe that Jeff Lacy wants it more. If Jeff Lacy can play the Glen Johnson role, then the fight could be his to win. Sometimes the will can overtake the skill, but not on this night. Roy Jones Jr will outwork Lacy but I see it playing out a little closer than my counterpart. 116-112 Jones.
