Boxing: Jeff Lacy steps up to world title class

With the retirement of Germany's super middleweight world champion Sven Ottke in March, rising star Jeff Lacy 16-0 (13) gets the chance to step up and win the vacant IBF title on October 2 when he faces Syd Vanderpool 32-2 (23) at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas on Showtime Championship Boxing, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

"It has been four year since the Olympics, Jeff has been in some tough fights and had to overcome some injuries during a fight, so I think he is mentally ready," said Lacy's promoter Gary Shaw. "You have youth against experience. Vanderpool has more experience than Jeff, and Jeff has the power on his side."