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Photo © Everlast
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Hard-hitting undefeated IBF super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy 20-0 (16 KO’s) is looking for a slugfest, and the power punching Scott Pemberton 29-3-1 (24 KO’s) is more than willing to oblige when the two square off this Saturday November 5th at 9PM ET/PT on Showtime in a scheduled twelve round all out brawl. It will be savage, it will be a thrill seeking highly charged entertaining match-up, but will it go the distance?
With these two thumping one another I highly doubt it!
The muscle bound brawler has sought out and destroyed all in his path since turning pro in February of ’01 and ‘Left Hook’ is showing no signs on slowing down. The twenty-eight year old Floridian has banged out twenty hard earned victories stopping sixteen by knockout, with seven feeling the wrath of Lacy in the opening round.
With wins over Syd Vanderpool, Rubin Williams and most recently Robin Reid all ending in knockouts, and with Pemberton’s last three outings ending in KO’s, it appears that this bout appears may have the same ending – an abrupt one.
Lacy was set to square off against Joe Calzaghe on the 5th but as the fans have come to know nothing in boxing is concrete until the bell rings. So instead Jeff will go toe to toe with the thirty-eight year old banger who is hungry for the title, but with Lacy’s Kung Fu grip on his strap it will be an all out war in trying to take his prized possession. Who will be standing at the end of this battle? Tune in Saturday November 5th 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime to find out who the victor will be, but for now read on as Lacy gave his thoughts to the Doghouse on the upcoming match-up and more, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: First off Jeff I just want to say thanks for taking the time out to speak to the Doghouse. The last time we spoke you were getting ready to face Robin Reid, can you give us your thoughts on that victory?
Jeff Lacy: Thanks for having me. Well it was a great victory for me, me and Calzaghe fighting this guy and me coming out the way it looked I thought I did a great job.
BH: After the Reid victory it appeared you were going to face Calzaghe but we all know the story, how disheartening was it for you to not get that fight?
JL: Well it is more about me becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion and having everybody recognize who the best is out there in the world. For me not being able to do that with him pulling out of the fight it was sad for the fans, I know the fans was looking forward to that big fight. So it was a disappointment for my fans and me.
BH: You are scheduled to face Scott Pemberton November 5th on Showtime, what are your thoughts on that match-up?
JL: I think it is a great match-up being that the Calzaghe fight fell out, you have a guy in Scott Pemberton who is a puncher and is hungry and it is going to be a great fight.
BH: Scott is also known as a puncher, do you see that as a positive or negative role in this bout?
JL: I see that as a positive, you have to be able to deal with what is in front of you and I think for me it is a positive. You have a guy that is in there who is trying to land that big shot and by doing that he has to get close.
BH: Positive for you negative for him right?
JL: (Both laughing) We will have to see on Saturday night.
BH: What preparations are you making for this bout as far as camp goes?
JL: Well I have been out here for a month now at Lake Tahoe, we are training at altitude and that is where the fight is going to be so I am taking Scott Pemberton very seriously just like I do any other fighter.
BH: When you look at Pemberton what do you see as his strengths that may pose a problem for yourself, and what weaknesses do you feel you can capitalize on?
JL: In training camp I don’t look at his strengths, I try to dictate where I am not going to allow him to use his strengths, I am not going to allow his strengths come into play in this fight, so basically I want to keep him on his weaknesses. So I take his strengths away from him and use them to my strengths.
BH: I am going to throw out a few phrases and names to you and I want you to say the first thing that comes to mind. The life of a prizefighter?
JL: Someone that is willing to fight any and everybody that is out there, and I would say that I am one of those guys. I am willing to take on a challenge and not turn it down.
BH: Being on the cover of The Ring magazine?
JL: Breathtaking, it is a reality check for the fighter that who is there and knowing that the fans are really behind him with everything that he has done and what he has accomplished at this point.
BH: Training camp?
JL: It is where everything comes to work, in training camp is where everything is very tough and by the time you come to the fight it is easy.
BH: Joe Calzaghe?
JL: Hmm, Joe Calzaghe, there are many things to say about him and I don’t know where to start. Like I said it is disappointing that the super middleweight division won’t get a chance to figure out whom the best super middleweight in the world is.
BH: Is there anything you would like to add or say in closing of this interview?
JL: This fight coming up will be my last fight of the year and I am going to make it a good one, I think it is a great match-up between me and Scott Pemberton, we have two punchers that are coming to fight and we won’t need the whole ring and the best man is going to win that night.
I would like to thank Fred Sternburg once again for his help on another interview, and a big thank you goes out to Jeff Lacy for his time and thoughts, both are very appreciated.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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INTERVIEW By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr. (October 30, 2005)
