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Light heavyweight Otis Griffin is looking to bounce back into the big time with a win over the highly rated and former IBF super middle champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy in Florida on April 10.
Griffin has joined forces with newly formed Talon Boxing Management, which consists of Keith Allen and John Tandy, who is best known for resurrecting the career of light heavyweight title contender Yusaf Mack.
Griffin is training in Lake Arrowhead, CA at high altitude and knows this is the fight that could launch him back into the big time. Griffin previously won the Oscar De La Hoya’s reality television show, “The Next Great Champ”, before winning the NABO title against previously undefeated Mike Nevitt.
But Griffin has not been able to capitalise on those successes, as he took a late notice fight against Danny Green in Australia and lost, and then was badly weight drained in the loss to Jesse Brinkley.
Griffin then returned back to light heavyweight to defeat journeyman Carl Cockerham before heading out to Germany and giving away over 20 pounds by the time of the fight, losing out to German cruiserweight Enad Licina.
Now Griffin returns fitter and stronger than ever, ready to make a statement against Lacy on April 10, in a bout is set at 173 lb, which favours Griffin, being the bigger man.
In regard to the Lacy fight, Griffin said, “I am the Cinderella man and Lacy is going to be my ‘corn griffin’. For the first time, I have had a perfect camp, my preparation at John Tandy’s high altitude camp has been excellent.
“I have had great spearing at the Wild Card gym in LA, with the like of Vanes Martirosyan and in camp with top middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzalas. Both of those guys are much faster than Jeff is going to be and apparently Jeff is already talking about a potential date with Roy Jones, but looking past me is a mistake”.
New coach John Tandy has been impressed with Griffin’s work ethic and ability to follow instructions. “As always, I have a game plan for the fight,” said Tandy.
“As long as Otis doesn’t get caught with anything silly and follows the plan we have been working on, I am more than confident he will come out on top in this one”.
