Two-time middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) insists that he still has plenty left to achieve in his career as he prepares to face Islington’s John Ryder in an eliminator for the WBA super middleweight world title this Saturday at Alexandra Palace in London, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia, as usual).
“I’m looking forward to a good scrap,” said Jacobs. “He’s a good fighter from what I’ve seen. I know he’s in his hometown so I’m expecting him to be pumped and excited about it. Also, I’ve heard from him before that this is an important fight for him to get towards title contention. I’m looking forward to seeing exactly everything that he has to bring.
“It has been one of my goals as a professional to fight in the UK, probably in London because I’ve been here before and I know how the magic works. I know how deep the crowd is into their boxing. I look forward to experiencing that. Good city, good town, good people.
“Everything is fabulous, I’m back to where I need to be mentally and I realize that now coming back with my old trainer Andre Rozier and Anthony Irons things are where they need to be. I was missing that good spirit that I once had in my career, and now it’s back and I’m looking forward to presenting it and giving the fans a good show.
“Every fight is must-win. Every time you go in the ring you don’t go into a fight looking at it like, ‘If I lose this one the next one will still be a good opportunity’. There’s always going to be a step back if you lost a fight in boxing. I’m grateful that I still have the opportunity to have these big fights. The biggest goal for me right now is to stay focused and keep the eye on the tiger.
“Granted we win this fight, which I’m sure we will, my next fight should be an opportunity to become a two-division world champion. I have the opportunity to do that and this guy is in the way. I have to make an example but also be myself. This camp I’ve been myself the entire time. I can’t ask for anything better.”
No, I don’t want a Canelo vs Jacob II. My feelings about this unwanted rematch are at the same level of a Casimero vs Rigondeaux II. Jacob should fight Plant or Andrade if succeed against Ryder, because he is not longer a relevant fighter, that is long gone.
I am sure Canelo will vacate those 168 belts, due to the poor and risky options in there.
You’re the only one thinking about Canelo vs Jacob II.
“I’m looking forward to a good scrap,” said Jacobs.”
– So are we, Danny.
Add:
– Jacobs looks drawn and dehydrated in this photo.
Jacobs looks tired in this pic. He is usually vibrant.
Hope he’s been smart with his money. Outside of his $2 million dollar 7 bedroom, 5.5 bath home he’s trying to unload.
I can see Jacobs fighting on the same way as Evander.
Looks tired??? Hahaha
It’s called “TRAINING” buddy
damn, miracle man is started to look like an old man. Hope he gets a few more decent paydays and hangs them up. I remember thinking this guy is going to be the next thing, until he met a Russian fellow called Dmitry Pirog. Has still managed a successful career after that setback though and beating cancer
Admirable I would say, along with courageous. Treatment to beat cancer is grueling, desperate, and after going through that resume a very difficult career and succeed, is just a miracle
I thought Jacobs was on his way to fighting Joe Smith at lightheavy. I can’t imagine that’s still on the table now with Smith either going after Beterbiev or having to make a mandatory, but that would have been a nice payday for him in New York. If you take Canelo out of the equation, there’re a lot of tough fighters at supermiddle, but probably not a lot of big paydays.
Jacobs is sliding but Ryder should be easy for him.
I’m a big Danny fan bu t he’s been out of the ring too long… He should have had a few warm up fights.
Jonne, it seems like most of the top guys have been out way too long. Covid cancellations and crowd reductions has made it near impossible to stay active in the top 10. Unfortunately, long layoffs tend to hit older fighters harder. Hopefully, Jacobs doesn’t overtrain and is ready for Ryder.