What I saw:

I taped both the Lacy-Calzaghe fight and Cotto-Branco fights last week and had some interesting thoughts. First, I did write it was possible that Calzaghe could beat Lacy. I thought it was unlikely because I was blinded by how much fun it was to watch Lacy destroy his opposition. Second, as I was watching Lacy get completely manhandled, I wondered if it was ok to cry.(I didn't, but I thought about it.) When I was done watching the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I turned on the Cotto-Branco fight. During this fight something occurred to me, Cotto can be beat by Paulie Malignaggi. The strange part of this thought is that if it were not for the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I probably never would have thought this. Branco would lean on the ropes and get walled on. Cotto was able to set up his punches and plant his feet. When Branco would move around the ring and use his jab Cotto didn't have much to do. Joe Calzaghe used the ring, moved to the left and potshoted Jeff Lacy all night long. He used his hand speed, footwork, and ring generalship to outsmart and outwork the young hard punching fighter. These are the exact things that I thing Paulie Malignaggi can and will do against Miquel Cotto. Paulie is in great shape and has excellent footwork and handspeed. The "Magic Man" does lack power but as long as he doesn't stop moving it shouldn't matter. So that's what I saw last week, a reason why Paulie Malignaggi may be able to tarnish Cotto's record. That and a one sided beating of my favorite fighter.

JEFF LACY VS. JOE CALZAGHE:

This was taken from a previous blog entry written 12/26/05. I made a minor adjustment, but overall I still feel the same way. I would like to state I am more excited about this fight than any other in quite some time. I have even considered staying home Saturday night just to watch it. I think due to a pub crawl a tape and Sunday viewing may have to due.
Jeff Lacy has been eating up competition ever since he turned pro. It seems as if he's been getting better and more ferocious in each fight as well. It reminds me of Mike Tyson back in the day. People are starting to wonder if he is unstoppable. Joe Calzaghe is one of those guys across the pond that many feel is a protected fighter with a fictional record. I've only seen the Calzaghe-Mitchell fight from Showtime On-Demand. I am convinced that if Calzaghe comes in and fights the same way he'll be crushed. I have read a few articles that state Joe is a very good boxer, but I've only seen the one fight, so I haven't witnessed it. I am totally biased in this prediction because Jeff Lacy is by far my favorite fighter to watch. My only fear is that Calzaghe will be to Lacy what Holyfield was to Tyson, a reality check. I doubt it Lacy is a much smarter person and boxer than Mike was. But the potential is there. Lacy: TKO 10