Boxing: Lacy hints at better times

Newly-crowned IBF super-middleweight champion Jeff Lacy provided pro boxing with the shot in the arm it so desperately needed at Caesars Palace at the weekend.

With many of boxing's established stars falling by the wayside this year, Lacy could be that fresh, exciting and marketable world champion to lift the sport out of the doldrums after his textbook display of front foot boxing against Syd Vanderpool.

Lacy's world title was a credit to the fighter's dedication and persistence. After two months of intense training where he prepped for Vanderpool with gym-mate and pound-for-pounder Ronald 'Winky' Wright, Lacy was tested early by his Canadian-co-challenger before relentless pressure took its toll in the eighth round.