Former super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy was rocked several times and struggled to win a majority-decision over Epifanio Mendoza on Wednesday, but the win has now placed him on route to a showdown with former 2000 Olympic teammate Jermain Taylor.

Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella confirmed that a fight with Lacy will take place on the reserved date of November 15 on HBO. The site has not been established as of yet. DiBella says the bout is a crossroads fight for both men, and a loss can knock a guy back beyond repair.

"You can almost call this fight inevitable,'' DiBella told St. Petersburg Times. "This has been talked about since they were amateurs. They're still two of the biggest names in the business. But it's a crossroads fight for both. The winner makes a statement.

"If Jeff loses, it's a huge problem for him. He hasn't looked good lately. And Jermain, if he were to lose, that would be three fights in a row. This is hugely important.''

Taylor the paper that he plans to give his former teammate a boxing lesson.

"He had a hard time [with Mendoza]. He made an easy fight look hard,'' Taylor said. "He's still strong as an ox, but I figure I'll just have to give him a good boxing lesson.''