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Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy defends his IBF Super Middleweight Title against Scott Pemberton on Showtime Boxing
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00:00up next that's our main event undefeated Jeff left hook Lacey on the verge of his
00:06fourth defense of the IVF super middleweight belt this was supposed to
00:09be a benchmark night versus Joe Calzaghe who pulled out with an injury Lacey
00:13insists he's put Calzaghe out of his mind and has complete focus on Scott
00:18Pemberton in the last year or so Jeff Lacey's been busy as any titlist in
00:25boxing but even as Lacey establishes a reputation as one of the most fan
00:29friendly fighters in the sport he knows the bouts that will define him remain
00:33ahead so far he's encountered some speed bumps but no major obstacles and as he
00:38makes this voluntary defense against a particularly dangerous opponent one thing
00:42is glaring Jeff Lacey and Scott Pemberton converge tonight after having traveled
00:47drastically different roads
00:51they share a profession and a dream but no two careers could be more dissimilar
01:00and what's this guy he started in the amateurs at an early age Jeff Lacey and with each passing
01:14year Jeff Lacey earned more and more attention and garnered more and more
01:18awards culminating with a birth on the American Olympic team more people told me
01:23I didn't have the style I didn't have I didn't have the skill to make it to the
01:28Olympics the more I wanted to do it so when I got the birth I felt so proud of
01:33myself because I proved a lot of people wrong with much fanfare and publicity
01:39Lacey was ushered into the pro ranks by a high-powered management team and with a
01:44lucrative contract fighting even his earliest bouts on national television he
01:51spent his entire pro career in the limelight in only his 18th fight his
01:57carefully guided career culminated against Sid Vanderpool
02:02we're fighting for the crown we're fighting for all tomorrow we're fighting
02:07for the IVF Super Middleweight Championship and for me to go out there and
02:12perform the way I did not only just to win the title but stop a guy that was more
02:19experienced than I was it was a it was the best win I've had now at the age of 28 he
02:26has it all an undefeated record a world title and a lifestyle suited for the rich
02:33and famous tonight he faces a contender whose career took a very different path
02:45Scott Pemberton never had lucrative contracts in high-powered management
02:50teams and as an amateur he spent more time fighting in the streets than in the
02:54ring I've been in a lot of fights you know schoolyard stuff you know I mean I
03:00don't see anything wrong with you know you get the night with somebody pop how you
03:03pop them around a little bit and then to lose a bite to win of a drink or
03:07something you know what I mean that was my amateur career turning pro at an age
03:12when some consider retirement a 27 year old Pemberton fought in small arenas for
03:18virtually no recognition and very little money three hundred and fifty dollars
03:23to make my professional debut when I had my first fight I knew that I can make a
03:27living box and you know I'd say you know three hundred fifty dollars a fight I just
03:32have to fight like every two weeks you know I knew the person would get greater and
03:37greater as long as I kept going and kept winning he did keep winning earning a
03:43reputation as a tough guy he slowly bought to the edge of the limelight always
03:48hoping but never believing he'd get a title shot you know I had dreams of it I
03:53didn't you know and as in my 12 year career I was like it's not gonna happen now
03:58these two fighters with such disparate backgrounds meet again one with
04:03everything to protect the other with everything to win the win-win situation
04:08for him he gets to make some money he gets to fight for a world title and and if not you
04:15know you go back into a shadow and no one hear from him again this fight right here
04:20give me enough money for down payment on the home but after I win the next fight
04:25it'll be paid off for
04:32Jeff Lacey and Scott Pemberton know that once the bell sounds the Olympic
04:36background the high-class connections mean absolutely nothing for 12 rounds or less
04:41it's all about the fighters and their fists and Alex at age 38 Pemberton knows
04:45that this is likely his one and only chance he's gonna put it all out there
04:48can he win without a Lacey letdown you know that's an interesting question here
04:53on Showtime we have chronicled the evolution of Jeff Lacey the contender as
04:57well as Jeff Lacey the champion and he's improved in every facet of his game the
05:02defensive lapses that opponents once pinned their hopes on they're fewer and
05:06fewer and the lack of a consistent jab well that's been rectified and the Lacey
05:10chin appears impregnable so where does Scott Pemberton's best chance exist well
05:15it's in fighting with controlled aggression that takes advantage of his innate power
05:20height and reach advantage and ability to throw a lot of punches quickly but
05:25still does not turn this fight into a brawl and this is how he'll try and do it
05:35part one of the plan is to keep the punches straight no wide hooks or right
05:40hands now he can't engage in long protracted skirmishes with Lacey got power
05:46is in the right hand but he can't reach with that punch if Lacey's left hand gets
05:54low as Omar Chikis did Pemberton is very quick with a right-hand lead for
06:01Pemberton to win this match he has to land the right
06:04Lacey is a 50 percent better fighter with a consistent jab and he's been using it a lot
06:19with the left hand up Pemberton's right hand just won't land and though he's a
06:25multi-dimensional fighter he's called left hook Lacey and tonight that left hook
06:30will serve him well Lacey is a master at countering a right hand with his left
06:35hook Robin Reed found that out following the right hand Lacey can quickly throw the
06:44left hook and this is a key part of this strategy to win tonight
06:50so tonight after 11 years as a pro Scott Pemberton a former gunner in the Army 82nd
07:04Airborne is finally getting his shot no pun intended a live underdog who has paid his
07:09dues he did stop top durable Omar Chika something Lacey couldn't do one of those
07:15guys with no quit the general consensus he may not make it easy for Jeff Lacey but
07:22it will be very tough to win given the many obstacles to overcome yeah he's got a
07:26couple he's coming in off a one-year layoff has a fun a year ten years older than
07:31Lacey and he spent only a week here Steve at altitude of Lake Kyle and folks Lacey he'll
07:37was here for a full month and even he acknowledges he's not sure if that's gonna be
07:41an issue for him Scott Pemberton but you know even if it sounds really corny I
07:45have to say the one thing he's got going for him is he believes in himself and he
07:49thinks that's enough to help him defy the odds tonight we'll see from what we've
07:53observed also the awe of the moment could be a factor he's a very emotional guy
07:58fights with passion I asked him if he saw himself as a real-life Rocky his eyes
08:03immediately weld up with tears he said you know this is crazy I just watched one of the
08:08Rocky movies where Rocky was fighting for his kids well-being and Scott said I
08:13so related to that because I'm fighting for my little girl who's changed my life
08:17he really got choked up his devoted fiancee Peggy after an 11-year
08:23relationship Scott proposed to her in the dressing room on national TV prior to
08:27the first Omar Sheikah fight he was so nervous he got down on one knee and
08:32instead of saying this is the most important night of my life he said it's the
08:35most important fight of my life Peggy said yes anyway she said yes that's the
08:40most important thing that's all that counts so Scott Pemberton is ready for the
08:45biggest fight of his career tonight against Jeff left took Lacey for the IVF
08:51super middleweight championship
09:02off his career best win he'll hear from the crowd the champion Jeff left took Lacey we've
09:08watched him mature as a fighter and as a person hard to forget that first encounter
09:12when he talked off his shirt at the weigh-in and his opponent bolted on the
09:17first bus home fight called due to Lacey's physique well today he's on the cover of the
09:23prestigious ring magazine now he's come a long way it's just four and a half years as a pro
09:28boy has he ever and we've seen it here on showtime you know he like both of us thought we'd be in London
09:34tonight with him fighting Joe Calzaghe and he'd be walking into that ring for what would be so far
09:40anyway his defining match of his career now he says he's not let down and his focus is definitely here
09:46tonight on Scott Pemberton but Steve we have to say the names Calzaghe and Tarver have been mentioned as much the last week
09:53as Pemberton's has been so we'll see if Jeff Lacey is in the moment right here in Lake Tahoe
09:59blowing kisses to the crowd
10:01very grounded young man you won't see the big entourage with Jeff loves to fight loves to please the fans
10:09no this is not what he had in mind for tonight in terms of Calzaghe nevertheless he will look to put on a good show
10:17nice crowd on hand here at Caesars Tahoe Circus Maximus to see Jeff left took Lacey who just seems
10:25to get better with every fight but you're right now we shall see tonight if his head is in the right
10:30place set for the numbers let's size them up as we check out the tail of the tape the champion Lacey has
10:38the youth by a decade Pemberton turns 39 in January but the rangy Scott Pemberton with the four and a half inch
10:45tight advantage the four inch inch and reach and at yesterday's weigh-in both came in right on at 168
10:50notable rules for this world title fight no standing eight count no three knockdown rule a fighter cannot
10:57be saved by the bell in any round if an accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth it's a no
11:03decision what happens after the end of round four they'll go to the scorecards so here at Caesars Tahoe
11:13we are getting ready for our main event Jeff Lacey versus Scott Pemberton for the IVF super middleweight
11:19championship the official introductions from our ring announcer the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr.
11:24ladies and gentlemen we welcome you to Caesars Tahoe here in Lake Tahoe Nevada as it's time for the featured
11:41bout of the evening brought to you by Gary Shaw production in association with CES Caesars Tahoe and Showtime
11:50this bout coming away is sanctioned by the IBS President Marion Muhammad Supervisor David
11:56McCullough the IBO President Ed Levine Supervisor Frank Brunette and the Nevada State Athletic Commission
12:04the Chairman of Skip Boncino Commissioners Dr. Tony Alamo John Bailey Joe W. Brown and D.J. Day with the
12:12Executive Director Mark Ratner our physicians at ringside Dr. Steven Brown Dr. Damon Savala Dr. Van Buren
12:20Lemons and Dr. Rodney Corson and our timekeeper at the bell is Jim Carpenter keeping count of the
12:27knockdowns Rose Fane introducing to you our three judges scoring this bout from ringside from Miami
12:34Florida Rick Bay from Carson City Nevada Keith McDonald and from Gardnerville Nevada Doug Tucker
12:45introducing our third man to the ring the referee in charge of this bout he is working in this his 21st world title bout
12:53Vic Dr. Rick Dr. Royce
12:57alright fans here we go with the main event of the evening twelve rounds of boxing for the IBF and the IBO Super
13:08Middleweight Championship of the world and now, ladies and gentlemen in attendance and boxing fans joining us
13:16around the world. Live from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, it's showtime. Introducing to you first, the
13:33challenger, fighting on my right out of the blue corner. He is wearing maroon jumps, fighting
13:39out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He weighed in at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds.
13:48His hard-hitting record stands at 29 wins, three losses, one draw with 24 wins coming by
13:57way of knockout. Ladies and gentlemen, here is the NABF super middleweight champion, currently
14:02ranked the IBF number five world contender. Please welcome the challenger, known as the Sandman.
14:11Introducing Scott Pemberton.
14:21And his opponent across the ring on my left, contending world champion, fighting out of the red corner,
14:28wearing orange shirt with black trim, proudly representing his home of St. Petersburg, Florida.
14:37He weighed in the same as his opponent, 168 pounds, a U.S. Olympian, unbeatened in his campaign
14:45in the professional ranks, with a record of 20 wins, no losses, one known decision with
14:5116 wins coming by way of knockout. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, he is making the fourth
14:58defense of his title. Here is the undefeated
15:02IBF and IBO super middleweight champion of the world, introducing your left hook, Leipzig.
15:1412 rounds of boxing, ladies and gentlemen, once again, a referee in charge, Vic Draculich,
15:24now to give the instructions.
15:54All right, gentlemen, this is from both the IBO and the IBF super middleweight title.
16:00The procedure instructions addressing me. Again, I want to caution, any punch below this
16:04point, they're going to be called low. Any punch below this point, they're going to be called
16:08low. With that said, I want you to obey my command, protect yourselves at all times.
16:12Touch the button now, good luck to both of you.
16:13In 50 total fights, Lacey and Pemberton have combined for 45 knockouts. We could go out in a
16:21blaze here in our final bout of 2005. The muscular left hook, Lacey, IBF and IBO champ. We wonder
16:28where is it all headed for this gifted champion, tall, durable Scott Pemberton, turned pro at 28,
16:35makes up for a questionable chin with a heart the size of his beloved New England.
16:39You will not meet two more personable people in the sport of boxing.
16:45Absolutely not. In round one, so important. Scott Pemberton has to make sure that the moment
16:52doesn't get to him. He also has to make sure that he at least begins fighting this tactical
16:57fight that he and his new trainer, John Scully, want him to.
17:00Both are historically slow starters.
17:05Pemberton and everybody knows who follows Lacey while he's got the catchy.
17:09Nickname of left hook, the right, as you pointed out in the key, equally, if not more, dangerous.
17:16And he is wailing where we said Rafael Marquez was a slow starter. Look what he did.
17:20And in this fight, we're already off to a quick start. Lacey with the overhand right.
17:23He's obviously decided that's the punch du jour for him in this fight.
17:28You may have seen a recognizable face with Jeff Lacey, accompanied by his buddy and stable
17:33mate, Winky Wright, the junior middleweight champ.
17:37Scott Pemberton is poised. I'm going to tell you right now, he knows what he's doing in
17:41there. He's used a jab a lot. When Lacey got on the inside and the ropes, he held on immediately.
17:46Scott Pemberton has his wits about him. That doesn't mean he's going to be able to box and
17:50be a tactical fighter for 12 rounds, but at least he understands that he's starting out in
17:55that game. 24 of Pemberton's 29 wins by KO, but he's been KO'd three times. The most recent,
18:01oh, a big right, over the top by Lacey. The most recent by Charles Brewer three years ago.
18:085-0 since. Can he avoid Lacey's power? Will he raise the level of his game? Can he expose
18:16any of Lacey's weaknesses? Well, some say there's nothing more dangerous than an underdog.
18:22We'll soon find out. Now, there is a jab and a straight right hand by Pemberton. He can at
18:26least get those punches in, but we've seen other people do that to Lacey. You saw Reuben
18:30Williams land countless jabs and straight right hand, and early in the fight, but Lacey just
18:36walked through them eventually. The prevailing opinion, Lacey just too strong for Pepperdine.
18:43And will have his way. Here's Pepperdine, fishing out.
18:47Jeff Lacey is a powerful puncher who is very hard to hurt, and that's a combination,
19:05especially in the 168-pound division. Scott Pemberton is fighting as good a first round
19:10as he would have drawn up. And yet, he's still getting whacked by big punches by Jeff Lacey.
19:16Lacey throwing the jab, which looks very impressive, and the win over Robin Reed, the best it has
19:22looked. The first 2,000 U.S. Olympians to win a world title.
19:30Now, early in this fight, Lacey's being out-jabbed by Pemberton. He's not using that punch quite
19:35as much as he would want, I think, and I'm sure they'll tell him to do that. Dan Birmingham will.
19:40And Pemberton doing the right thing in the first round, fighting from the outside, using
19:45his range, and every once in a while, sticking the right.
19:49Jeff, he's not doing nothing backing up. Stay right with him. When he backs up, then attack.
19:54He's backing up, getting set, and punching. As soon as you see him back to the attack,
19:57don't let him get set. Boxing beautiful. Great blocking.
20:01You know this guy ain't got nothing for you. Nothing.
20:06Breathe. Get your win.
20:10Move relaxed. You don't need to move real fast. You know what I mean? Just a little bit.
20:15All right? You'll meet him with the jab. You're hitting him with a lot of jab.
20:19You gotta stay with the jab. That's your key. Deep breath. Deep breath. Take a breath.
20:22Suck it up. How you feel, brothers? You're in there. You're right in the fight.
20:25He's gonna take them big swings. You're ready. Don't stick your head up in the air for that, okay?
20:29You got it. Come on.
20:32Former light heavyweight, John Scully, who got under the skin of Jeff Lacey in the press conference,
20:38did he, by saying that Lacey's power was overrated.
20:42Well, Lacey said, I'll make a believer out of Scully by taking it out on Pemberton.
20:48Round two, scheduled for 12.
20:50Lacey in the Halloween orange and black.
20:55What's the home of that?
20:56And what's a better risk to have in post-Halloween than Dracula?
21:05The Sandman with a combination to the head.
21:10That's the home.
21:13Go.
21:14Lacey, protecting his head.
21:25Just in case.
21:27Nice jab by Pemberton.
21:33Pemberton, to his credit, doing the right thing.
21:37Not sure he's winning, but he's doing the right thing.
21:43There's that long right hand, but nothing on it.
21:46Now, Scott Pemberton has to make sure he doesn't reach with that right hand,
21:50but he's doing, he's using the jab to set up the right.
21:54There's the jab, doubling up, but he held back on the right in that instance.
21:59Lacey, very patient.
22:03Lacey likes it messy on the inside.
22:05He wants to lure you into that frog, and that's where Pemberton did.
22:10Now, he should have thrown those punches and wheeled off the ropes,
22:13which he ultimately did, but not until he took some shots.
22:17Pemberton hanging in there.
22:19This is a quintessential Jeff Lacey fight.
22:21What a tremendous double up to him.
22:23Here it is, the diversified attack, Pemberton's down.
22:27Not the first time.
22:28Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.
22:36Oh, he gets up at eight.
22:37He took all the time he needed.
22:42He looked winded.
22:44That is, he has been down in round two, of course, three times before,
22:49against Sheikah Dwight and against Charles Brewer.
22:52He always seems to go down in round two of major fights,
22:55but will he stay up for this one?
22:57I don't know what it is about round two,
22:59but now Pemberton showing signs of difficulty.
23:04And Lacey's trying to finish right here,
23:06and he is a very strong finisher.
23:10Is it coming to just waiting?
23:14Now he just hangs on 24 seconds to survive in round two for Pemberton.
23:20It's coming up.
23:23Right.
23:25Up the head, up the head, up the head, let's go.
23:30Pemberton able to stick a right there.
23:31Here's a big left hand to the head by Lacey.
23:34Oh, what a crushing right.
23:36And it's all over.
23:37Not even a count from Vitraculous.
23:39It's over.
23:40And Pemberton's down and out.
23:42A second round knockdown for Jeff left to Lacey.
23:51What a massive right hand at the end.
23:55Well, as Pemberton's big deal with them,
23:59we'll hear what he says.
24:00Come on, guys.
24:01Come on, guys.
24:02Come on, guys.
24:02Come on, man.
24:03It's a lot.
24:03It's a lot.
24:03Okay.
24:03It's a lot.
24:04It's a lot.
24:04It's a lot.
24:05It's a lot.
24:05It's a lot.
24:06It's a lot.
24:06He's making quick work of Pemberton.
24:09It's just a lot of shots, okay?
24:11How do you know that man, Chuck?
24:12Come on.
24:12Good night.
24:13Good night.
24:13Good night.
24:13Good night.
24:13Good night.
24:13Well, the true warrior that he is,
24:19he doesn't want his face to see it.
24:22And you know.
24:26Very mad at himself.
24:27Big Dracula.
24:28He had to take a moment to see if there was a chance he could get up,
24:31but very doubtful that he would have gotten up.
24:34And this man, Jeff Lacy, reveling in what, for him, is a great moment.
24:40It's not the moment he thought he would have tonight in London, England,
24:43against Joe Caldwell.
24:44But he showed us a great, great performance.
24:47I have no argument with Draculich.
24:49Obviously, Pemberton does.
24:52You can tell by, obviously, his reaction.
24:54Very upset at the referee for stopping the fight without even getting into a count.
25:01But that was a crushing of blow.
25:06First, the left and the right by Lacy.
25:08Couldn't have been better.
25:09Couldn't have been better, Jeff.
25:11The right hand is out of the city.
25:13Well, I got a hold of a man.
25:19And Irving has the trade of the year telling Jeff Lacy you couldn't have been better.
25:24Nobody takes that.
25:25He's got it.
25:27Hey.
25:28You're going to grab it.
25:30You're going to grab it.
25:31You're going to grab it.
25:31You're going to grab it.
25:32You're going to grab it.
25:32You're going to grab it.
25:32So, as expected, Jeff Lacy is doing it again.
25:35His fourth successful defense of the title remains undefeated.
25:3921-0, 17 knockouts.
25:44So, where does he turn next?
25:46The showdown with the Globo.
25:48He remains in limbo.
25:50Perhaps by early next year, they'll do it.
25:52You mentioned the possibility of moving up to fight Antonio Tarver.
25:57Does the public want to see a unification fight with Marcus Byer or Michael Kessler?
26:02I'm not sure about that.
26:03Is the top of moving down to 160?
26:06So, we'll see.
26:07A lot of options right now on bridal joy in that corner.
26:13The first time Scott Pemberton hit the canvas, this one came from a double left hook,
26:18and then the right hand would do the final damage.
26:24And the right hand was a very important punch for Jeff Lacy.
26:27And Pemberton himself, in pre-fight press conferences and interviews, said,
26:31don't be fooled by that nickname because he can land the right as well.
26:34And certainly, he was unfortunately prophetic, was Scott Pemberton.
26:40That right hand, followed by after the hook, was what sent him down.
26:45Early in this round two, the hook from Lacy started the problem for Pemberton.
26:51And what makes the sequence so remarkable is that Lacy can hurt you with a variety of punches.
26:58There when Pemberton went so low, he went to the uppercut.
27:00He has power in both hands, Lacy.
27:02Now, from a purely technical standpoint, Jeff Lacy's had better fights, but it didn't matter.
27:08I mean, he was able to walk through the punches of Pemberton, so he said, why not?
27:12And he just landed big, bludgeoning power punches.
27:16And Pemberton wasn't able to hurt him with the right hand and keep him off,
27:19and therefore, Lacy was able to get on the inside and do the kinds of damage we're seeing him doing.
27:25See, there's the right hand by Pemberton.
27:26It doesn't matter to Lacy, and what does he do?
27:29He walks right in and bangs him with the left hook and the right hand.
27:32That was a key sequence.
27:33It was this fight in microcosm.
27:36A big right hand from Pemberton made no difference.
27:38And the way he went down, when you go down like that, nearly flat on your face,
27:44that's what the signal is for a referee not even to start counting.
27:47And he ended it right there.
27:47Let's get it up to our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Jr.
27:50Ladies and gentlemen, we have the time of 2 minutes 59 seconds.
27:59In round number 2, he is the winner by way of knockout.
28:03He is still undefeated and still the IBF and IBO super middleweight champion of the world,
28:11Jeff, left hook, Lacy.
28:18So it was bombs away for Jeff, left hook, Lacy.
28:22A diversified and controlled attack, as you like to put it.
28:27Now some words being exchanged.
28:29Thank God that Scott Pemberton able to get up and he's okay.
28:33And there are the two belts, IBF, IBO.
28:37Another impressive, fast performance by Jeff Lepton, Lacy.
28:44He put him down in a second and then ended it later on in the round.
28:48And Vic Draculich had seen enough.
28:52Let's go up to the ring right now for post-fight reaction from our Jim Gray.
28:55Jim.
28:56All right, Steve.
28:57Thank you very much.
28:58Jeff, congratulations.
29:01How about that?
29:02Oh, it was great.
29:03I said, like I was saying, this fight between me and Scott Pemberton, he was being ducked.
29:07I was being ducked.
29:08It was only good that he got his shot, his first shot at the world title.
29:12And I was happy to give it to you.
29:13It was a pleasure.
29:15First of all, Scott, are you all right?
29:16Yeah, I'm fine.
29:17I could have continued, but I understand what happened to LeVan DeJones himself.
29:21Everyone's looking out for the best interest of the fighter.
29:23And, you know, I can accept that.
29:25All right, let's take a look here at the first knockdown, Scott.
29:29And let's get a reaction by you as to what happened here.
29:32And we'll also see your fiancée.
29:35Tell us what's happening.
29:37Well, I was just, he was throwing his punches.
29:40He didn't have a good loop in right hands.
29:41He had a lot of power, you know, when you're inside with him.
29:44I should have been inside like that, but, you know, he made mistakes.
29:46It's not easy, of course, for...
29:50You know what I'm saying?
29:51It's beautiful, huh?
29:54And then the second knockdown right here, this big overhand right.
29:57Scott, did you see it coming?
29:59No.
30:00Well, I did see it coming.
30:01That's why it knocked me out like cold.
30:03You know what I'm saying?
30:05I was bringing my hand.
30:06I had my hands a little low.
30:06There was a left ear come.
30:07Yeah.
30:09Oh, yeah.
30:09He, I was, he just caught me.
30:12You know, and I kind of felt a little light.
30:14But that's probably why he started giving me a count.
30:17Because I think I was okay.
30:18You know what I'm saying?
30:19I would have been okay by it before the count was off.
30:21Ted anyway.
30:22But he definitely rocked me.
30:24Well, Vic did the right thing there.
30:25And we're all glad you're okay.
30:26He's a great champion, you know.
30:27I mean, you know, he's an Olympian, undefeated.
30:30You know what I'm saying?
30:31What can I say?
30:31I just appreciate he gave me the opportunity to fight for the world championship, man.
30:35There's not too many people that get that opportunity, and I did.
30:37And I thank Jeff Lacey for that, and Gary Shaw, and everybody affiliated, and CES, and everybody.
30:43And I'd just like to say hi to my mother and my mother-in-law.
30:47All right, Scott.
30:48We've got to get to the winner over here.
30:50Jeff, you're known for your left hook.
30:53Tell us about that looping overhand right right there.
30:56Well, I mean, everybody look for your overhand.
30:58I mean, everybody look for the left hook.
31:00So you've got to go into the gym and work on something that's more devastating as my right hand.
31:05I got a terrific right hand.
31:07You know, I just don't use the left hook unless they take in the right hand.
31:12Let's take another look at it.
31:13And you tell us now, if you would, Jeff, from your vantage point, obviously you were in full control of this fight.
31:19Coming into this fight, I felt very strong.
31:21I mean, I knew if I got in close to Scott that I could unleash some of my big bombs, and that's what happened.
31:27Well, everybody thought that you might be looking past this fight and that there was great disappointment coming in tonight
31:33because you would hope to be overseas in the United Kingdom.
31:37Is there disappointment, and how do you feel about not having the opportunity to fight Calzaghe?
31:41You know what?
31:42The more disappointment is that we're not able to see on this night who is the best super middleweight champion of the world is.
31:50The second is, you know, we never know if Calzaghe's going to step up or anybody's going to step up in the super middleweight division.
31:58And the time will tell.
32:01My 2006 year, I'm looking for big names.
32:03Why do you think he won't fight you?
32:04Why do you think that you were on the brink and then he says he got hurt?
32:09Well, I mean, he says he got hurt, but, you know, it's still the contract was loaded up before he took the fight.
32:14And on top of that, it was two months out when I had to take the fight with Robin Rico.
32:18They were going to strip me for my title.
32:20I'm in the business to keep these titles.
32:22I mean, that's what we fight for, right?
32:23I mean, I'm not going to want the type of fighter that's going to drop a belt in the garbage and then go fight a bigger money fight.
32:30I want to fight who the fans want to see me fight.
32:32What will you do on your end to ensure that this fight comes off?
32:36Well, the only thing I can do is stay consistent with being on Showtime and then staying in the public's eye.
32:43I mean, I need to get as much experience as I can.
32:46I'm a young world titleist.
32:48And in the event that it doesn't come off against Calzaghe, would you move up and maybe Antonio Tarver?
32:52Of course.
32:53That's who I want.
32:54I want Antonio Tarver.
32:57Calzaghe, if Calzaghe don't step up, I would love to fight Antonio Tarver.
33:02Are there any excuses between the two?
33:05You're stealing his line.
33:06That was probably the best line ever when he said that to Roy Jones.
33:09So you're asking both of them, huh?
33:11I'm asking both of them.
33:12I want to fight both of them.
33:13Antonio Tarver or Calzaghe.
33:16Next year in Tampa.
33:18All right.
33:19Jeff, congratulations tonight.
33:20We look forward to seeing you next year.
33:22All right.
33:23Let's go back to you, Steve.
33:25All right, Jim.
33:29Thank you so much.
33:30It's going to be interesting to see where Lacey goes from here.
33:32Let's take a look and listen to that knockout.
33:36It was utterly thunderous.
33:52A monstrous right hand after the left, Al.
33:55I don't think anyone's more powerful than 168.
33:57I really don't.
33:58So where does Jeff Lacey go from here?
34:01Well, you know, I think he can make, obviously the Calzaghe fight is interesting, and he wants
34:07to move up to 175.
34:08Eventually, I think he should do that.
34:09So I just wonder if the 168 might be interesting for him.
34:13One more fight.
34:13Hopefully, Calzaghe.
34:15All right, Al.
34:15Before we finish our matters here in Tahoe, last night on Showbox, in case you missed the
34:22action, some anxious moments in a matchup of undefeated super middleweights.
34:27Check out this action.
34:28Alan Green.
34:29Alan Green and Jadon Codrington.
34:32Green wasting no time against Codrington.
34:34Jadon jumped right on him with a relentless attack, a barrage of punches, and just 18 seconds
34:42in, it was over.
34:45After that, though, Al, it got ugly.
34:47Yeah, a lot of inappropriate action in the ring.
34:50People in the ring preventing the medical people from getting to Codrington.
34:54It was not a good scene, and the people that acted inappropriately should be shamed.
34:59And in the main event, unbeaten junior middleweight, Secu Powell beat IVF number 12-ranked Archac
35:09Termolek Satayan in a 10-round unanimous decision.
35:13Back to Codrington.
35:15He was out cold for about three minutes before he regained consciousness, was taken to the
35:19hospital, suffered a concussion, not a fractured vertebrae.
35:23As first suspected, he has been discharged from the hospital, but he will go to New York
35:28to have an MRI done.
35:29That's the latest on the fighter Jadon Codrington.
35:33So we're back here in Lake Tahoe.
35:38And we are ready for a final round of Guess What?
35:41Ask Al.
35:42All right.
35:42We love the questions coming in.
35:43And here's one that says, do you see Rafael Marquez moving up in weight to 122 and maybe
35:48facing Oscar Larios?
35:50And who do you see winning that fight, or could he move up to 126 for the talent?
35:53Is Larios' WBC champion at that weight?
35:57I think he will move up after he tries to unify against Vlad Sidorenko.
36:02I think a Marquez-Larios fight would be an absolute slugfest, and I think it is a pick-em
36:07fight.
36:07We have a question that is of a more personal nature now.
36:11Is it true that you wanted to be a lounge singer?
36:13One of my friends said you once put on a tux and hired a piano player and sang a song
36:17Vegas style when you work for ESPN, tell the truth, Al.
36:20Well, the fact of the matter is, I actually wanted to be, did more than want to be, because
36:24I had a lot of musical engagements at many casinos in Las Vegas and around the country
36:29in the Indian Riverboat casinos.
36:30Singing is a passion of mine.
36:32We all have passions.
36:33But the good news is that I'm not going to give up this job and tour around the country.
36:37And I know Harry Connick, Jr., for instance, is very happy to hear that, because I would
36:40take so many engagements away from him.
36:42Not really.
36:44I loved you as Tevye in the Sherman Oaks production of Fiddler on the Roof, by the way.
36:47I thought I nailed that role.
36:48And I have all your CDs.
36:50Okay.
36:50Well, this is our final telecast of 2005, the conclusion of year number 19 of Showtime
36:56Championship Boxing.
36:57I've been privileged to be a part of this now for 18 full years.
37:00Where has it all gone?
37:01Al, in my opinion, without question, this the most exciting and compelling season of Boxing
37:07on Showtime.
37:07Well, that's high praise, because you've seen all these great fights on Showtime.
37:11This year was astonishing.
37:13Big upsets, like Zab Judah beating Corey Spinks.
37:16The exciting fight in which Ricky Hatton upset Costa Zoo.
37:19A dramatic, apparent ending of Mike Tyson's career.
37:23And we saw Jeff Lacy in a trio of fights, and culminating tonight as he moves toward what
37:28he thinks is superstardom.
37:30And finally, of course, the crown jewel of this year, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Krause in
37:35their first fight, the best I've ever announced in 25 years of boxing.
37:39Been a privilege to work with you this year and this great crew here at Showtime.
37:43And a pleasure and a delight, as always, to work with you, Al Bernstein, and, of course,
37:47Jim Gray.
37:48And we are so very fortunate to be associated with such a talented and conscientious production
37:53and technical team here at Showtime.
37:55The people who work so hard behind the scenes don't often get the credit they deserve.
37:59We salute you.
38:00And that includes one of our valued friends and technicians on the crew, who is home recovering
38:04from illness, Clay DeBru.
38:07We all wish you the best.
38:08Get well soon, Clay.
38:10As we wind things down from Tahoe, let's take a final look at tonight's results.
38:14In our co-feature, Rafael Marquez not only retained his title, but his status as the premier fighter
38:20in the Bantamweight division, handing Silas Mabuza his first knockdown and his first loss.
38:25And in the main event, which you just saw, Jeff Leff took Lacey, didn't let the disappointment
38:30of the postponed fight with Joe Calzaghe affect him as he retained his titles and remained
38:35undefeated in spectacular fashion.
38:38Will he get that dividing fight with Calzaghe?
38:40Stay tuned.
38:41That'll do it from Caesars Tahoe as we close out another edition and another year of Showtime
38:49Championship Boxing.
38:50Remember, next year, America's Fight Night is the first Saturday of every month.
38:55For Al Bernstein, Jim Gray, and our entire crew, Steve Albert saying so long from Lake Tahoe,
39:00Nevada.
39:11The first day of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year.
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