Jeff Lacy Declares VJ Day

MANCHESTER, England (February 28, 2006) – Undefeated IBF/IBO super middleweight champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy has landed in Manchester, England and he is on a mission to defend and unify the world super middleweight crown against undefeated WBO champion Joe Calzaghe.

Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Frank Warren's Sports Network, the Lacy-Calzaghe super middleweight title unification fight will be televised live to the United States on SHOWTIME, beginning at 9 P.M. ET/PT (Delayed on the west coast)

“March 4 is going to be my personal 'VJ Day’ – Victory over Joe,” said Lacy after his 12:30 A.M. GMT workout. Lacy is sticking to his Florida training timetable, which is five hours behind, while he is in England.

Lacy considers this fight a homecoming since he is of English descent, the great great grandson of Benjamin Disraeli Lacy, 1st Earl of Knuckle Sandwich.

“I know how the Welsh feel about my people in England and I will defend their honor and my crown against Joe Calzaghe,” continued Lacy. “I was outraged when Joe first won his title and told the viewing audience he was rooting against England when they were playing Italy in a critical World Cup Qualifying match. That's my team! And for that he will pay….he will be eating a lot of English leather Saturday night.”

Lacy's promoter, Gary Shaw, was less than diplomatic when the subject of Saturday night's fight came up.

“Saturday night will be a coronation for Jeff.  After he gives Joe a royal beating it will be HRH Jeff Lacy…His Royal Hookness,” said Shaw. “Personally, I am glad the fight is here. The English boxing fans are tremendous and I know they will appreciate Jeff's victory. I am also thrilled that the American boxing fans will be able to see it all live on Showtime. The world will be watching the fight, the judges and the coronation of a new king in the super middleweight division.”

With a combined professional record of 61-0 (48 KOs), and a victory by knockout percentage of 78.6%, Lacy, 21-0 (17 KOs), from St. Petersburg, FL, and Calzaghe, 40-0 (31 KOs), from Newbridge, Wales, are headed to the division’s biggest showdown since Roy Jones, Jr. and James Toney rumbled in 1994.