Pemberton Last big moment in the Sun
By Tom Donelson

November 3, 2005 - Scott Pemberton has spent much of his boxing life on the peripheral, looking in. His first crowning moment came with two great bouts with Omar Sheika on ESPN Friday night fights. In both fights, there were many ebb and flows but Pemberton won the first bout by a split decision and stopped Sheika in the rematch. (He also won the heart of his fiance as he proposed to her after his first victory against Sheika.)

Those fights introduced this New Englander to boxing world and now he is now fighting for a title against Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy. On paper, Pemberton is a decided underdog but with 24 knockouts in 29 victories, he has a puncher chance. And he will get plenty of chances as Jeff Lacy is a typical move forward attacker who will give Pemberton his opportunity.

Lacy was looking to face Joe Calzaghe to determine the best in the division but an injury to Calzaghe suspended that fight. So Lacy is now giving Pemberton his golden opportunity. Pemberton is not an easy touch for he combines power with boxing skills. And Pemberton gets stronger as the fight continues. His biggest asset is his grit and tenacity as he never gives up.

And Lacy had a tough fight against Pemberton’s rival, Sheika. The negative for Pemberton is that he is vulnerable to getting tagged as he did in his wins against Sheika and his lost to former super Middleweight champion Charlie Brewer. At the age of 38, he is facing one of boxing stronger fighter.

I remember after his first victory over Sheika that his stated goal was to save enough money to buy a home. For many years, Pemberton toiled for minimal money while the big money went elsewhere but now he is co-starring in the main event for Showtime. He may not win but somehow, I expect a good show and Lacy will have early difficulty in penetrating the 6 foot 2 inches frame of Pemberton. As his career is closer to the end, he is getting the one chance that he has dreamed of- a shot at a championship. A chance long deserved but coming so late in his career.