Boxing Preview: Jermain Taylor vs. Jeff Lacy

Tonight at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium in Memphis, TN, former world champions Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy clash over twelve scheduled rounds in a WBC Super Middleweight title eliminator.

Taylor, the former world middleweight champion and ex-IBF 168 pound champ Lacy are both trying to rebuild their careers after shattering losses in title fights that they were largely expected to win.

Lacy is further along in that process has won all three of his bouts since taking a one sided thrashing at the hands of Joe Calzaghe in March, 2006 while this is the first time Taylor sets foot in the ring following his two bout losing streak to Kelly Pavlik.

This one comes down to who has the most confidence to step forward and take the lead.

Lacy, 24-1 (17), has never been the same since the Calzaghe fight, having difficulty in defeating the respectable but less than world class trio of Vitali Tsypko, Peter Manfredo Jr and Epifanio Mendoza.

Taylor, 27-2-1 (17), was bombed out by Pavlik in their first fight but came back to make a good account of himself in the rematch before being outworked for the decision.

Complicating matters is the fact that Taylor and Lacy are longstanding friends, which coupled with Taylor’s natural slow paced defensive style and Lacy’s reluctance to get back in the trenches could produce an uneventful bout.

Big crossroads fights like this will many times produce a torrid contest of wills but don’t expect that here as Taylor will likely take a decision win without a lot of action transpiring.

The undercard features a large cast headlined by ex-IBF Welter Champ Kermit Cintron, 29-2 (27), returning from his second KO loss at the hands of Antonio Margarito with an IBF Welter title eliminator against that organization’s former 140 pound kingpin Lovemore N’dou, 46-10-1 (31).

N’dou came very close to knocking off IBF Light Welter Champ Paulie Malignaggi in May during their rematch and is as tough a seasoned campaigner as can be found anywhere but as a 37 year old former super feather will likely prove just too small to overcome a towering natural welterweight with a big punch.

If N’dou can make the bout a phonebooth war he has a chance to nullify Cintron’s power and outwork the former IBF titlist but he’ll have to keep his foot on the gas and cannot let Cintron find the correct rhtym and range.

Heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon, 23-1 (15), was bashed up by Chris Arreola last time out before being DQ’d in the third but returns on the undercard here to face Adam Richards, 24-1 (14), who brings a 19 bout winning streak to the table, although the opposition Richards has faced hasn’t been impressive.

Super middle Allan Green, 26-1 (18), looks to build upon the momentum of his win over Rubin Williams in January by taking on badly faded 38 year old former WBA Light Middle Champion Carl Daniels, 50-15-1 (32), who is 13 years past his prime.

Light heavy Shaun George, 17-2-2 (8), is also on the bill, facing Donnell Wiggins, 24-11-4 (14), in an eight rounder.