Where Does Daniel Jacobs Take his Career from Here?
When super middleweight fighter Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (37-4, 30 KO’s) last laced up for professional combat, his opponent was John “The Gorilla” Ryder. For many, eyebrows were raised by the fact that the Miracle Man was traveling to the UK to battle Ryder in his own backyard.
Conventional wisdom would have suggested that the Gorilla had been shipped across the ocean to New York and put on display like King Kong. Jacobs was the only former world champion of the two, and he had faced the more reputable opposition. Regardless of these realities, the Brownsville native made the long trek across the pond. Once there, after getting off to a great start, the Gorilla mounted an impressive come from behind performance and managed to defeat Jacobs by split decision.
IS THE PARTY OVER?!
Of course, as a professional fighter, there is never a loss that is not detrimental. Still, not all losses are created equal. Losing in the twilight of your career to a fighter never deemed truly elite is on the more dire side of the spectrum, however. Compounding his dilemma, Jacobs entered the bout coming in off two boring and easily forgettable showings against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and journeyman Gabe Rosado. Prior to the loss to Ryder, Jacobs was ranked #3 (WBC), #7 (IBF), #9 (WBO) and #9 (WBA). Without question these standings will plummet.
What he and his promotional team should find more perplexing than the loss itself is the fact that his name had zero buzz about it even before the Ryder dustup. No significant sect of fans, media or fellow fighters were talking about Jacobs in any serious manner, whatsoever. At 35 years of age, he is on the downside of his career and coming off three consecutive lackluster showings. Certainly a persistent call for his retirement is sure to follow his upset in the UK.
Will the Miracle Man be able to turn back the hands of time? Can he put together a string of wins to make a realistic play at a world title? Or, is he futilely struggling against the hands of fate persisting in a career that will never truly elevate again? Who knows? Regardless of how it plays out, 3Kings Boxing will be there to report the news!
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By: Bakari Simpson
