Jeff Lacy wins close fight - Taylor next

24.07.08

To the delight of Jermain Taylor and Lou Dibella, Jeff Lacy laboured to a majority decision last night over Columbian Epifano Mendoza.

The Floridian looked better than other recent outings, but still looked vulnerable and not as good as 'pre-Calzaghe' by some margin.

Lacy was level on two of the three judges' scorecards heading into the ninth round, but Lacy (24-1, 17 ko) landed a late flurry of punches to win the round against a tired Mendoza.

Mendoza (28-6-1, 24 knockouts) was hit hard by a right hand in the first round and a left hand in the fourth. Mendoza almost knocked down Lacy in the second, and in the fifth round a right knocked out his mouthpiece.

Mendoza landed a right uppercut in the seventh and eigth rounds that had Lacy wobbling to his corner after the bell.

Two of the judges scored the fight for Lacy at 97-93 and 96-94. The third scored the fight 95-95.

It is now expected for Dibella to make the fight between Taylor and Lacy for November this year. Meanwhile Carl Froch will likely look to now fight #3 challenger Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC title.

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