Lacy edges past Mendoza

American rallies to clinch points success

Last updated: 24th July 2008

Lacy edges past Mendoza

Lacy: Less than convincing display

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Former IBF super-middleweight king Jeff Lacy produced a big finish to beat Epifanio Mendoza on a majority decision in California.

The pair were level on two scorecards heading into the ninth round of Wednesday night's contest before the Florida fighter turned on the style.

A late flurry of punches from Lacy saw him pull ahead 97-93 and 96-94 with the third judge scoring the bout even at 95-95.

Lacy (now 24-1) had looked in some danger of losing between rounds five and seven, when Mendoza rocked him on more than one occasion.

It was a third consecutive win for Lacy since he lost his unbeaten record when crushed by Joe Calzaghe in Manchester in 2006.

But so far he has failed to rediscover the form that made him on of the sport's hottest prospects going into that high profile showdown with the Welshman.