It always will be part of his narrative, but not his identity. Being diagnosed with cancer and told he never would fight again are more than footnotes in his life. But Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs is determined to be remembered for much more.
He was indeed the self-proclaimed “Miracle Man” after returning to the ring following a 19-month layoff to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a tumor that had wrapped itself around his spine. Now he tries to write a more favorable boxing history Saturday night at Madison Square Garden when he takes on Gennady Golovkin for multiple middleweight titles.
“I would have never thought five years going through a whole bunch of craziness outside the ring that I would be fighting for middleweight supremacy,” Jacobs said recently. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. This is it: the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden with the chance to be the undisputed middleweight champion. This will be an action-packed fight for however long it lasts.”
Their records suggest it won’t last long. The HBO pay-per-view bout features fighters with a combined 35 consecutive knockouts. Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs) of Kazakhstan has stopped his past 23 opponents. Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) has ended his past 12 fights early.
Golovkin’s come-forward, punishing style has made him a fan favorite. His opponents have wilted under his relentless pressure and the damage done by his thunderous punches. But Jacobs has speed, power and the ability to get on his toes and box, though he doesn’t mind a good slugfest either.
“All these fighters need a challenge,” said Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, “not just a physical challenge, but a mental challenge. Jacobs is one of the first guys to get Gennady fired up and mentally motivated, having a guy on the other side that presents a great chess match. That’s what gives you the kind of fight that can be remembered for years.”
The pick here is Golovkin by TKO in the championship rounds. He has been a machine, compiling 17 straight title defenses hardly losing a round. While he has taken punches along the way, his chin has been granite.
But Jacobs might be the best opposition Golovkin has faced. He is strong, athletic and figures to be a blur of energy early in the fight. But our guess is Golovkin will close the distance as the fight goes on and eventually will impose his will in the later rounds.
“I hope everybody is ready for an amazing drama show,” Golovkin said. “I hope he’s ready. I hope he’s had his best training camp. It’s a big chance to show world-class boxing to fans.”
Source:- Nytimes
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