Jeff Lacy facts for kids

Jeffrey Scott Lacy (born May 12, 1977), also known by his nickname "Left Hook," is a retired American professional boxer. He was a top fighter from 2001 to 2015. For two years, from 2004 to 2006, he was the IBF world champion in the super middleweight division.

In the early 2000s, Lacy became famous for his powerful punches and impressive physique. His exciting style and many knockout wins made him one of the most talked-about boxers of his time.

Early Boxing Career

Before turning professional, Jeff Lacy was a very successful amateur boxer. He fought in more than 200 matches. He won several national championships, including the U.S. National amateur title in 1998.

Lacy's amateur success earned him a spot on the 2000 United States Olympic boxing team. He competed in the Sydney Olympics alongside other future stars like Jermain Taylor. In the Olympics, he won his first two fights before being defeated in his third match. He finished his amateur career with an amazing record of 209 wins and only 12 losses.

Professional Boxing Career

Becoming a Champion

Lacy started his professional career in 2001 with a first-round knockout. He quickly became known for his power, winning his first nine fights by knockout. This incredible start helped him win several smaller titles.

On October 2, 2004, Lacy got his chance to fight for a major world title. He fought Syd Vanderpool for the IBF super middleweight championship. Lacy won the fight by technical knockout (TKO) in the eighth round, becoming a world champion. He successfully defended his title four times against tough opponents like Omar Sheika and Robin Reid.

The Big Fight Against Joe Calzaghe

On March 4, 2006, Lacy faced his biggest challenge. He traveled to Manchester, England, to fight the undefeated Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe. The fight was to unify the IBF and WBO world titles. Many experts thought Lacy would win because of his power and youth.

However, the fight did not go as planned for Lacy. Calzaghe used his fast hands and high punch volume to control the match from the beginning. Lacy struggled to land his famous left hook. As the rounds went on, Calzaghe landed more and more punches.

Even though Lacy was hurt, he showed great courage by never giving up. The fight went the full 12 rounds, and Calzaghe won by a unanimous decision. It was Lacy's first professional loss, and he lost his championship title.

Career After the Calzaghe Fight

After the tough loss, Lacy continued to fight. He won his next match against Vitali Tsypko, but it was later revealed he had a serious shoulder injury. He needed surgery and took a year off from boxing to recover.

Lacy returned to the ring and had several more important fights. He fought against other famous boxers like Peter Manfredo Jr., Jermain Taylor, and Roy Jones Jr.. While he had some wins, he was never able to get back to his world champion form. He had his last professional fight in 2015.

Personal Life

Outside of boxing, Lacy has a family with a strong boxing background. His father and brothers were also involved in the sport. In 2007, he appeared in the boxing movie "The Hammer," playing a character named Malice Blake.

Professional Boxing Record