Vanderpool signs with Warrior's!
By Flattop

"I am excited to sign with Warrior's," stated #1 IBF super middleweight Syd "The Jewell" Vanderpool to FightNews. "They put on a first-class show when I fought Tito (Mendoza) at the Hard Rock Café in Tampa (April). We looked at our options with several promoters and Warrior's had the best future for me. Warrior's is the fastest growing promotion in boxing. They treat their fighter's right. Plus the Hard Rock Cafes are great venues for my fights." Along with signing with Warrior's on Tuesday, Vanderpool was also informed that he will be fighting #4 IBF Jeff Lacy for the vacant 168-pound title, which was vacated by long-time IBF champ Sven Ottke back in March.

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FightNews Fact: Ottke defended the IBF championship 21 times in an amazing short career of just seven years. Ottke had an amateur career of approximately 330 fights with over 286 wins over a nine-year period. Ottke ended his pro career with 34 wins against 6 KOs and no losses.

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"I am looking forward to getting my title and defending my belt," observed Vanderpool. Vanderpool and Warrior's worked out a deal they will showcase "The Jewell" at the Seminole Hard Rock Café either in Hollywood or Tampa. "I want to wrap a championship belt around my waist as soon as possible. I don't wait until December to fight Lacy. I want to do this right now." Vanderpool is confident that his southpaw stance, size and his 11-years of experience will mean a sweet victory over Lacy. "His nickname is 'Left Hook' but my straight right will beat his left hook all night. It might have been two rounds (against Tsypko) but I saw enough of Jeff to see that he can't handle movement and he has a problem gauging his distance. Jeff lunges with his punches. That is what caused the headbutt." Both Vanderpool and Tsypko are southpaws. "From my next fight on, it is championship fights," promised Vanderpool.