Boxing is a sport in which miracles happen. Minutes can prove to be the deciding factor in lives and inches can separate glory from despair.
Arguably, there is no fighter in recent times who has exemplified this concept more than boxing’s very own ‘Miracle Man’, Daniel Jacobs (37-5). His illustrious career saw him go from a surging contender to a mere mortal; a champion to a pariah – and various states of in-between.
With the announcement of his retirement from the sport, now appears to be an apt time to delve through the storied history of Daniel Jacobs, Brooklyn’s ‘Golden Child’.
Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, a young Jacobs took to the boxing ring swiftly; his skill in the amateur ranks was undeniable. Sources say that his amateur record lies somewhere between 58-6 and 137-7.
In the burgeoning amateur scene, Jacobs would record wins over Shawn Porter (31-4-1), Martin Murray (39-6-1) and Austin Trout (37-5-1); certainly, Jacobs had an ineptitude for the sport, one that transcended his surroundings, environment and circumstance.
However, in a rare misstep, Jacobs would lose to Shawn Estrada (16-0), failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a result. However, in finding the beauty in sadness and defeat, Jacobs would turn his eye and – more importantly – skills, to the professional leagues.
On the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. – Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand, the wider boxing world would get their first – albeit brief – glimpse at Jacobs, when he would run through Jose Jesus Hurtado (5-10) in just 29 seconds.
Despite the brevity of his first appearance, Jacobs would become firmly accustomed to the environment of mega-fights. Under the Golden Boy banner, these opportunities would come thick and fast, leading Jacobs to take a fight in 2009 against Ishe Smith (29-11).
Jacobs and ‘Sugar Shay’ would clash in Houston for the vacant NABO Middleweight title. It was virtually a shut-out performance, with Jacobs solidifying his claim to the title with a unanimous decision.
The undefeated Jacobs would then face the toughest opposition of his career in the Russian ‘Grandmaster’ Dmitry Pirog (20-0). With the vacant WBO World Middleweight title on the line, it was predicted by the majority of pundits that Jacobs would prove too much for the fairly untested Russian.
Although, on the night, the roles were strictly reversed.
Initially, Jacobs was ahead on the scorecards; his technical prowess seemed superior to that of Pirog. Although, Pirog was familiar with the trenches and was certainly willing to drag Jacobs into them. The jab was, at the time, Jacobs’ tool of the trade, something that Pirog soon became aware of.
Entering the fifth round of their contest, a left jab by Jacobs was swiftly met with a perfectly timed overhand right counter, collapsing Jacobs deep into the canvas.
For the first time in his professional career, Jacobs would taste defeat. Cold and hard, swift and brutal. As quick as he found success, he would lose everything.
Although, something far more crushing would soon hit Jacobs.
Something that could only be overcome by spirit, grit and determination.
It was not his many ups-and-downs in the ring that cemented Jacobs as ‘The Miracle Man’. It was the way in which he overcame the odds outside the ring. In this case, a diagnosis of osteosarcoma; a rare form of bone cancer.
It was a diagnosis that could have claimed his career. And yet, a year out from his last appearance, Jacobs would return to the professional ring in a recovery that could rival that of Willie Pep (229-11-1). Only months prior, Jacobs had to learn how to walk again, and yet, in the first round of a scheduled eight, Josh Luteran (14-3) would experience the full force of a rejuvenated man.
‘The Future’ was dim for Luteran, whose career would be virtually destroyed by Jacobs.
With the might of a man possessed, Jacobs would make his presence known, securing the WBC Continental Americas Middleweight title along the way.
The assignment for world honours came by way of the WBA, who would have Jacobs fight for their vacant WBA World Middleweight title against the woefully unprepared Australian Jarrod Fletcher (18-3), whose ‘Left Jab’ would prove inadequate to face Jacobs.
Touching the floor for the final time in the fifth, Fletcher was rightly stopped; Jacobs, meanwhile, had made one of the most successful comebacks in the history of the sport, beating more than just those he faced within the four corners of the ring.
Over the next two years, Jacobs would revel in his position as champion, at the height of his imperial years. Caleb Traux (31-6-2), Peter Quillin (34-2-1) and Sergio Mora (29-5-2) – twice – would adorn his resume over this period.
Even when faced against the insurmountable odds of Gennadiy Golovkin (42-2-1), Jacobs would surpass all; he would become the first man to withstand the pressure of ‘GGG’ and go the distance in a highly entertaining and competitive bout.
Certainly, despite losing his world honours, ‘The Miracle Man’ must be commended for his efforts, winning true honour in the process.
However, a loss is a loss and, like the first time, Jacobs would rebuild. Joining forces with Matchroom, Jacobs would claw his way towards another world title; beating dangerous Pole Maciej Sulecki (32-2) on the road towards a belt.
This time, Jacobs would get his chance from the IBF, who put their vacant belt on the line between Jacobs and the intimidating Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5). ‘The Technician’ would produce a remarkably back-and-forth affair in his efforts to stall Jacobs, despite a first round knockdown. However, the IBF strap would be placed around Jacobs’ waist, making him a two-time middleweight champion of the world.
Then, the payday.
‘Canelo’ Alvarez (61-2-2) set his sights on clearing out the middleweight division, no matter the challenger. Jacobs just so happened to have what ‘Canelo’ wanted; the IBF belt. The ‘face of boxing’ had Jacobs firmly in his sights and soon the date was set.
Once again, Jacobs felt a miracle coming on. The bout was certainly tactical, if not restrained. Both fighters had moments, with Jacobs mainly flourishing in the middle of their conflict. Nevertheless, Jacobs would suffer the third loss of his career; albeit to another great of the sport.
It must be remembered that losses are only accumulated by those brave enough to take the risk and make miracles happen; one has to look no further than ‘Canelo’ himself.
To close out the year, Jacobs would move from a Mexican legend to the son of one, retiring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (53-6-1) on his stool at the end of the fifth round in Phoenix, Arizona. Ultimately, 2019 would prove to Jacobs that, if anything, with lows also come immense highs.
However, despite overcoming adversity in its many forms, the human body can only take so much; mental devotion can be stifled by age and growth and detrimental physical change. This reality would hit home on the 27th of November 2020, when the heavy favourite would struggle with the eternally-game Gabriel Rosado (26-17-1).
Entering the competition as a complete favourite with pundits and bookies alike, Jacobs would put on an underwhelming performance, simply chasing the shadow of his past around the ring, as well as Rosado. The former middleweight king would prevail over the self-proclaimed ‘King’, but only via a split-decision.
Following the Rosado performance, Jacobs would be plagued by a period of inactivity, keeping him away from his domain until February of 2022. Entering enemy grounds, Jacobs was in the territory of ‘The Gorilla’ John Ryder (32-7).
Despite the time out, many thought another miracle was about to happen and, certainly, it would – for the British brute, who would overcome a ring-rusted Jacobs to earn a split-decision, handing Jacobs a bitter loss.
It was evident that, despite the determination flowing through Jacob’s bones, miracles could not stave away time; time can only seep into the bone, strip away the youth and vigour. Another absence from the sport would not help Jacobs, who was certainly deep within the twilight of his prizefighting vocation.
However, the Ryder performance was not to be his last.
Shane Mosley Jr. (22-4) was looking for a valuable dance partner – and a credible one – for his parlay on the Diaz-Masvidal undercard. Jacobs, now a mere wounded miracle worker, would take up the call. Perhaps honourable, but also regrettable.
The man who entered the ring was not ‘The Miracle Man’, but some other Daniel Jacobs; a Daniel Jacobs who was completely shut-out on the scorecards by someone he would have dominated within his prime. Only weeks after would he announce his official retirement from the sport.
With all the hard-fought battles, intense decisions and brilliant bouts, Daniel Jacobs brought much to the sport of boxing; character, integrity, action. Most of all, Jacobs brought a special quality, one that we define as a ‘miracle’, but one that is ultimately unexplainable – and that is what he will be remembered for, both inside and outside of the ring, as the curtain closes on his long, exceptional career.