BOXING: Timing is all-important in boxing. Not only in the pugilist's ability to dodge and throw punches, but also in the skill of managers to deliver matches their fighters are capable of winning.
Tonight's contest between Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy (live on UTV from 11.10pm), ostensibly for bragging rights in the super-middleweight division, is all the more fascinating because the man behind each boxer is adamant his gamble is right.
The 33-year-old Calzaghe has been a world champion - he holds the World Boxing Organisation version of the title - longer than any man currently in professional boxing. It was on October 11th, 1997, that he beat Chris Eubank in Sheffield to win the belt and tonight is his 18th defence, when he also challenges for Lacy's International Boxing Federation belt.
By contrast, Lacy is new on the block. Five years Calzaghe's junior, the big-punching American had his first paid fight when Calzaghe was already established at the top. Like the Welshman, he has never lost, but the fact his promoter, Gary Shaw, has brought his man to Manchester, where some 20,000 partisans will pack the MEN Arena, speaks volumes.
Shaw talks of Lacy wanting the challenge. But he also believes privately Calzaghe's best is behind him and he is ready to be taken.
Calzaghe's promoter and manager, Frank Warren, took a similar risk nine months ago when he pitted Ricky Hatton against the formidable 34-year-old champion in Kostya Tszyu. Hatton's was a brilliant win where youth prevailed. But now, Warren's gamble is that Calzaghe still has the freshness, and that Lacy is a seriously over-hyped performer.
Those wanting to build a case for Lacy, the 4-6 favourite, might argue Calzaghe has looked vulnerable in recent fights when he was floored by Byron Mitchell and Kabary Salem and they might point to the broken hand sustained by Calzaghe in his last contest as a weakness. But at his best, southpaw Calzaghe is quicker, and Lacy's sluggish foot movement makes him a target.
A look at opponents they have both faced is inconclusive. Robin Reid lost to Calzaghe on a split decision in 1999, but was beaten in eight rounds by Lacy last August. Omar Sheika of the US was stopped by Calzaghe in five but went the distance with Lacy.
Calzaghe has never been given full recognition for his achievements and has had to wait until the autumn of his career for a title unification contest.
Odds of 11-10 against a Calzaghe win look tempting, as he begins a fight as underdog for the first time since he became champion. He has the skill to win, provided he is not dragged into a slugging match.
Meanwhile, middleweight Andy Lee will make his pro debut against Anthony Gannon at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on March 10th. The former St Francis, Limerick southpaw confirmed yesterday Gannon had been named as his new opponent for next Friday night's showdown.
Gannon, who won his first pro fight a few months ago, replaces Canadian Nichalson Poulard, who was pulled out.
Lee, who tops the bill at the 20,000 all-seater arena, said he was eagerly looking forward to the six rounder.
"I'm not sure whether Gannon is of Irish descent and I don't know a whole lot about him at this point except that he won his first professional fight", said Lee.
"But I am just focusing on next week and I'm not too worried about who my opponent is as I am feeling very confident."
