Ex-Boxing Champ Lacy Issues Response to Diaz Challenge

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz and trainer Cesar Gracie turned heads last week by publicly declaring Diaz’s desire to try his hand at professional boxing just days after his successful April 9 title defense against Paul Daley.

“They don’t have anybody else for me to fight now,” Diaz said in an appearance on HDNet’s “Inside MMA.” “I don’t see much of a future in this sport for me. I honestly don’t, especially if there’s not a whole s--tload of money going on.”

According to figures released by the California State Athletic Commission, Diaz pocketed $175,000 for his work against Daley at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. In previous title defenses against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and K.J. Noons, Diaz was paid reported salaries of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively.

While two-time boxing world champion Fernando Vargas was first mentioned as a potential September opponent for the 27-year-old, Gracie last Thursday told Sherdog.com that former International Boxing Federation super middleweight titleholder Jeff Lacy was being eyed as the leading candidate for Diaz’s move to the ring.

This came as news to Lacy, who learned of Diaz’s interest in a fight through newspaper USA Today, according to a press release issued Monday.

“Honestly, I was a little stunned,” Lacy stated. “Nick has accomplished a great deal in mixed martial arts and is certainly one of the best in the sport, but getting in the ring with me for a boxing match is a path he needs to be very wary of taking. I’m willing to put it all on the line anytime, anywhere!”

“For the right price, I’m more than interested in heading to his turf and put my fist in his mouth and silencing him,” Lacy added.

Meanwhile, Lacy’s attorney and manager, fellow boxer Joey Gilbert, praised Diaz’s technique and even suggested locales for the potential showdown.

“In my opinion, Nick Diaz has the best boxing/striking skills in the MMA game today,” said Gilbert. “I’d love to see this fight take place in northern California, or... in Reno, Nev. Nick has a lot of fans around here.”

Lacy, who held his IBF title at 168 pounds, has entered the ring only thrice in the past two years and is 1-3 in his last four outings. The 33-year-old Floridian known as “Left Hook” was halted after 10 rounds by boxing legend Roy Jones, Jr., in their August 2009 encounter and most recently was upset in a 12-round unanimous decision by journeyman Dhafir Smith in December.