If I Were a Boxing Matchmaker: Daniel Jacobs

Hello all. I’m back at it again trying to mix it up with the middleweight guys. This time I’d like to talk about Mister Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs. Before I get started on Mister Jacobs, I wanted to clarify something. I am creating these fantasy type matchups in the order I feel would be the best at this point in time for the boxers. Basically, as if I were advising them as their manager. Even though I put them in a certain order, that does not mean that I would not be accepting of lower matchups happening in another order. They do not have to happen in the placement in which I sort them, because I would certainly be happy to see any of these fights at any given time. Preferably it would be nice to see all of them happen, but I can assure you it will never happen unless something drastically changes in the sport. Hopefully it does. Anyways, back to the Miracle Man matchups.

Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs 35-2 (29 KOs)

Daniel Jacobs is certainly one of the top contenders in middleweight and has been for a long while. Besides Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, he is the next man in line. As much as people put emphasis on only caring about the top dogs or buttering up the “titles and belts”, well, belts or no belts, being ranked the #3 man in a division with approximately 1,493 boxers says a lot. If you think otherwise, go strap on a pair of gloves and see for yourself.

Daniel Jacobs has fought top level opposition. I have a lot of respect for the “Miracle Man” as a boxer. He always seems as if he truly wants to fight the best guys out there. He fought well against Gennady Golovkin in their bout. Sergiy Derevyanchenko is a tough top-level fighter. Maciej Sulecki is a very good fighter who has hardly been given any credit for doing very well against Daniel Jacobs. Caleb Truax, Dmitry Pirog, Sergio Mora, Luis Arias and Peter Quillin were or still are quality opponents. The icing on the cake is that he is officially getting his shot at Canelo Alvarez. Well deserved. I’m excited to watch that fight. Good for the matchmakers who made that one happen.

#1 Matchup: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez 51-1-2 (35 KOs)

Clearly Daniel Jacobs’ number one goal is and should be to fight Canelo Alvarez. This fight looks to be official and I’m glad to see that. This is proper matchmaking and deserves recognition. This would be my number one choice for Jacobs and because it is happening, I am happy to set a mini promotion for the bout. Everybody needs to tune in to DAZN on May 4^th. Don’t miss it, it should be good.

#2 Matchup: Jermall Charlo 28-0 (21 KOs)

This number two slot for Daniel Jacobs is so wide open because he has so many options. If he upsets Canelo, I’m sure there will be a rematch clause. I’m not complaining, because I’m sure it will be worth it anyways. I don’t see Canelo just going in and wiping Jacobs out. It will most likely be a good fight unless somebody gets lucky. You never know, it is boxing.

He can also take a rematch with “GGG”. The first one was close, but I don’t think too many people want to see it again unless Jacobs wins over Canelo and all of the marbles are on the line. He already defeated top contenders in Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Maciej Sulecki. I wouldn’t mind those rematches either considering how close they were. However, I don’t think they are necessary. It is also depended upon if Billy Joe Saunders and Demetrius Andrade fight, and if so, what the outcome will be.

Here lies Jermall Charlo. If Gennady Golovkin doesn’t sign up for a bout with Charlo due to waiting for Canelo, I think Jacobs should sign up for this one. This one could be big in the U.S.A. New York versus Texas. Doesn’t get a whole lot bigger than that. They should sign these gentlemen up for the “Big Texan” steak challenge afterwards and see if either one defeats that thing. I tried it and I certainly won’t do it again. I felt like a pregnant woman afterwards and the pain didn’t subside for about two days. I would probably pay to watch these guys attempt it though. There’s the Pay Per View money.

#3 Matchup: Demetrius Andrade 27-0 (17 KOs)

Heyyy “Boo Boo”. As I stated before, this is reliant upon if Andrade and Saunders fight and the result of that bout. If they fight and “Boo Boo” wins, Jacobs could fight Andrade. If Saunders wins, Jacobs could fight Saunders. Billy Joe would be a bigger fight internationally. Andrade might be bigger nationally, depending on if the British fans are completely sold on Billy Joe yet. British fans travel the best. Nevertheless this would still be a good fight regardless. Whenever it would happen, I think Jacobs wins by TKO late.

#4 Matchup: Billy Joe Saunders 27-0 (13 KOs)

Repeat alert. Depending upon results of Saunders and Andrade if they fight. Regardless if they do or do not, this is still a good matchup whenever. Whether it was after the Canelo fight or after other things in the division start to materialize and show results. Even if they both lost two or three in a row each to other top contenders. This would still be a good match. Keep this one in your back-pocket Danny Boy.

#5 Matchup: Jarrett Hurd 23-0 (16 KOs)

This is a bit of a kicker. Again, Daniel Jacobs could have multiple options after the Canelo fight whether he wins or loses. However, let’s assume he loses that fight, or loses any of the next couple of fights he has. Golovkin will probably not be in the mix at that point because Jacobs already lost to him and there’s not enough of a payoff to be the risk for “GGG”. There are several top contenders to fight for positioning and “belts”. He should go that route first. Outside of that, if those don’t materialize, Jarrett Hurd is a massive super welterweight. He shouldn’t even be fighting down at 154, but I give him credit for being able to somehow make the weight. I think Hurd should move up to middleweight very soon though. He has accomplished enough at 154, aside from a couple potential good matchups that I will discuss when I write an article for Jarrett Hurd and the 154-pound weight class.

I like this fight stylistically. It reminds me a little bit of the Erislandy Lara match. Daniel Jacobs is a solid boxer puncher. He would probably outbox Hurd like Lara did, but what about in the later rounds if Hurd can take the solid shots from Jacobs? Hurd does have a beard on him. I think that’s when it becomes more interesting. I believe that Jacobs stands his ground and is willing to trade more willingly than Lara. That could be fun. You would have to stick around for the entirety of the bout probably to find out though.

By the way this could be big in the Northeast if Hurd keeps entertaining and this builds momentum a little more. New York or D.C. would be great locations to have this. Hurd being from Maryland and Jacobs from New York.