Former champ Lacy beats Griffin by decision

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Former super middleweight champ Jeff Lacy won a close majority decision over Otis Griffin on Friday night in front of a hometown crowd, his first fight since losing to Jermain Taylor last year.
Lacy started strong and opened a small cut over Griffin’s eye in the second round with a strong overhand right, but Griffin appeared to take control over the middle rounds.
Lacy (25-2) had to overcome swelling around both his eyes the final three rounds, closing the eighth and ninth with strong flurries. In the 10th, both fighters landed big punches, with Griffin (19-5-2) closing the round with two uppercuts and Lacy connected with a straight right.
Two judges scored the fight 96-94 and 97-93 for Lacy, while the third had it a draw.
“I have to give it up to Griffin for a tough fight,” Lacy said.
Afterward, Lacy called out former pound-for-pound champ Roy Jones Jr., who was sitting in attendance but didn’t give an immediate answer.
“I would love to fight Roy Jones Jr., anytime, here in Tampa,” Lacy said.
Griffin thought he was the winner and lobbied for himself to fight Jones this summer.
“It’s a shame that in this sport you can get robbed in somebody’s hometown,” Griffin said. “I was landing the harder, cleaner punches throughout the fight. Roy should be fighting me.”