Last night, boxings middleweight showdown of the ages lived up to the hype as Daniel The Miracle Man Jacobs almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets in history. However, it would be the man known simply as GGG who would pull out a close decision that could have went against him.
After an initial three-round feeling out process filled with mutual respect and range gauging, Golovkin began to execute his signature power plays in the fourth round. Landing a left, followed by two hard rights and another left, Jacob fell victim to the only knock down in the battle. Jacobs jumped right back and began to display the acumen that all great fighters employ when in the crunch; he adjusted.
Switching effortlessly from conventional stance to southpaw, Jacobs neutralized the accuracy of Golovkin, showing expert defense and landing a barrage of well-angled power shots. The results showed on Golovkins face with his left cheek brandishing the success of Jacobs onslaught.
Although, Jacobs stopped Golovkins 23-fight knockout streak, he lost the unanimous decision in the end at the Garden, which boasted a crowd of 19,939 for the pay-per-view affair. Judges had the fight 115-112 twice and 114-113 for Golovkin.
The Shadow League, along with many fans, had the fight 7 rounds to 5 for Jacobs, who had Golovkin for the first time in his career searching for answers in key rounds. Jacobs trainer Andre Rozier constantly reassured him that he was winning the fight if he stuck to the game plan and remained consistent. Jacobs did just that but it wasnt enough in the judges opinion.
Fuss was made on Saturday morning when Jacobs didnt show to a mandatory IBF title re-weigh. The IBF title rules state that a fighter can weigh no more than 10 pounds over their contracted weight on fight day and Jacobs forfeited his shot at that belt by not appearing. Golovkin re-weighed at 169.4lbs and the middleweight limit is 160lbs. If Jacobs had won, the IBF middleweight title would have been vacated.
Instead Golovkin retained his WBA, WBC, IBO and IBF middleweight titles. This was the second pay-per-view for Golovkin and a build-up for a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez this year. K2 Promotions Managing Partner Tom Loeffler noted that he would rather that be Golovkins next opponent even though WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is a possibility as well.
During the post-fight interview, Golovkin admitted that Jacobs is his favorite fighter and conceded that he is a tough guy. The possibility of a rematch was thrown out there and the fighter wasted no time confirming his interest, although that bouts fate will lie in the hands of Loeffler and Al Haymon, Jacobs manager.
Either way, the night was good for the sport of boxing regardless of popular opinion on the outcome, and Danny Jacobs can stand tall for displaying a tenacious and strategic athleticism that was the difference-maker from the typical Golovkin dominance.
