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This is very likely Reid’s last chance at the big time. Can he grasp it? I for one think he has a really good chance. Lacy, in his nineteen professional wins, has certainly looked the part. He is a big puncher with fifteen knockouts to his name. He also has wins over such people as Syd Vanderpool and Omar Sheika on his record. Reid on the other hand is a 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist. He also won his world title the hard way. In October 1996 when still unproven in the professional ranks, he traveled to the lion’s den in Italy to knock out Vincenzo Nardiello, never anyone’s favorite opponent in seven rounds to win the WBC 168-pound title.
Reid made three defenses of this title all against respected challengers. In February 1997, he knocked out Giovanni Pretorius of South Africa in seven with a crisp body-shot. He then out-boxed gutsy Henry Wharton over twelve in May before defending successfully for the last time in September against future middleweight champion Hacine Cherifi over twelve tough, close rounds. Reid’s future at this point looked rosy but then it all went wrong in his fourth defense. In a lackluster showing against veteran Thulane “Sugar Boy” Malinga, he surrendered the crown on points.
After one comeback win the following year, he was thrust back into the world title hunt, taking WBO king Joe Calzaghe to a close decision and eventually losing a bout many thought he had won. Against arguably the number one man in the division, Reid showed that he belonged at the very top level. That is what makes this bout against Lacy so interesting. Reid in his day can match anyone but when off form he can be so frustrating. Certainly subsequent world title challenges against Silvio Branco and Sven Ottke have proved that Reid can often be his very worst enemy.
So what are his realistic chances against Lacy?
One can argue that Reid suffered a robbery against Ottke. It seemed that the referee was penalizing him for hitting Ottke at one point but it certainly poses the question: would Calzaghe, Kessler or Lacy have allowed Ottke to do this? Also Robin would have been fully aware of hometown favoritism having traveled to Italy in the past. In Lacy, he will be meeting an opponent who will certainly come to him. The old adage is that styles make fights and I think Lacy’s will give Reid the chance to shine. Reid has always been effective as a counter-puncher as shown against Wharton and Calzaghe and he also has a granite chin.
Make no mistake though Lacy can dig. No one thought he would stop Vanderpool and he did. He also seems to be very comfortable as a champion and the bait of a unification fight against Calzaghe is a tempting one. It is also refreshing to hear him say that he is not taking Reid lightly. One fight at a time as it should be. Being from the U.K., one can only speculate as to what the Americans think of Reid. The general feeling I get is that they respect him but think he always loses the big ones.
I for one cannot wait until August 6, because I feel Robin could upset the script.
