Reid beat Belfast's Brian Magee last June

The Runcorn fighter will challenge the unbeaten American in St Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, 6 August.

Lacy intends to move on to a November unification showdown against WBO champion Joe Calzaghe if successful against Englishman Reid.

Reid, 34, has not held a major version of the world super middleweight title since losing his WBC crown to South African Sugarboy Malinga in 1997.

But Reid's promoter Jess Harding is convinced his man can make it third time lucky after controversial points losses to Calzaghe and former IBF and WBA champion Sven Ottke.

The fans will see one heck of a fight on 6 August Jeff Lacy

Harding said: "Robin has had a bad time but he knows this is the ideal opportunity to get right back to the top.

"I feel Lacy is the ideal come-forward opponent for Robin. He has got to give it 100% and he will go in there with everything to gain."

The fight is a major coup for Reid, who has been out in the cold since his controversial defeat to Germany's Ottke in December 2003.

Lacy, who has won all his 19 professional fights, said: "I am thrilled to be fighting Robin. He is a great champion and a true competitor.

"The fans in both our countries will see one heck of a fight on 6 August."