A Homecoming: Jeff Lacy returns to boxing ring in Tampa April 10

March 5, 2:50 PMTampa Bay Sports ExaminerTed Fleming

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tampa Bay Sports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Jeff Lacy's "Homecoming" is set for April 10.
(Photo/Ted Fleming/TBSN)

One of the three former boxing champions from the Tampa / St. Petersburg area is making a return to his hometown on Friday, April 10 at the Sun Dome on the campus of University of South Florida in Tampa.

Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (24-2, 17 KO), a recent super middleweight title holder, will fight in Tampa Bay for the first time in more than three years. At that time a capacity crowd at the St. Pete Times Forum witnessed his thrilling knockout of Robin Reid August 6, 2005.

The card is presented by Left Hook Promotions, the company founded by Lacy, along with One Punch Productions and Everlast.

“I’ve always wanted to come back and fight in Tampa, but it just wasn’t possible under the circumstances,” said Lacy. “But now that I formed Left Hook Promotions, I have the freedom to fight wherever I choose, and I wanted my first fight back to be right here in Tampa.”

Lacy’s bout will be the main event against a yet to be announced opponent. It is titled “Homecoming.”

Other names who are slated to appear are rising heavyweight star Lenroy “TNT” Thomas, undefeated St. Pete featherweight Kermit “Bazooka” Gonzalez, undefeated St. Pete middleweight Ahsandi Gibbs, rising Tampa female star Adawirky Lopez, and additional bouts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets are economy-friendly, priced at $18.50, $40.00, $85.00, $135.00, and a limited number of $200.00 Gold Ringside seats are also available. Pricing the event to ensure that anyone can come was extremely important to “Left Hook” Lacy.

“I know people are having tough times out there, and thankfully we were able to make this event affordable for everyone,” he said.

Tickets for this event go on sale this Saturday at 10:00am at all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, and the USF Sun Dome Box Office.

In his last fight, Lacy lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Jermaine Taylor in Nashville last November in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator. The 31-year old came in with three straight victories beating Epifanio Mendoza, Peter Manfredo Jr. and Vitali Tsypko, all by decision. Their combined records are 75-10-1.

On March 6, 2004, the St. Petersburg native traveled to Manchester in the United Kingdom where he suffered his first career defeat to unbeaten Joe Calzaghe, who is currently at 40-0.

The other two Tampa Bay boxers to wear championship crowns are Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver.
 

Ted Fleming is the host of "Speaking of Sports" on Sarasota's WSRQ Sundays from 7-9 pm. Rays' Examiner Rob Quinn will be joining Althea Pashman as a permanent co-host.

LISTEN LIVE HERE