NEW YORK, March 19, 2017 ? Entering the ring to a roar of applause, Gennady Golovkin took the stage in the biggest bout of his career. For weeks prior to the fight, he had promised a big show, a present for fans.
They got a Big Drama Show, but the plot was different than many people expected.
For the first time in his career, Golovkin fought a full 12-round bout against an aggressive, impressive Daniel Jacobs of Brooklyn. It was nearly a surreal experience waiting for the scorecards in a Golovkin fight, with no assurance he had won.
Judges Don Trella and Steve Weisfeld scored it 115-112; Max DeLuca scored it 114-112. The judges disagreed on several close rounds.
Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) ends a 23-knockout streak, but remains the unified middleweight champion. Jacobs (32-2, 29 KOs) didn?t win the belts but he won over a lot of new fans, and his career is energized rather than stalled by taking Golovkin into deep waters when no one else could at this point in his career.
?I?m really proud of myself that I went in there and gave it all that I had, and showed true grit,? Jacobs said after the fight. ?The fight didn?t go in my favor, I thought I won and it should have been a draw. They don?t all go your way and I won?t complain. The fans ultimately were the winners, because that wasn?t a dull fight. We did our job 110 percent.
?I know with the performance I had, the future is not over,? Jacobs said. ?I definitely think I shocked a lot of people tonight. Going in, I was definitely the underdog and I had no chance. I proved who I am and provide what I can do.?
Golovkin said after the win Jacobs is the best opponent he has ever faced. ?Daniel, he?s good fighter and very smart ? I told you, I respect this guy. He?s my favorite fighter. I?m not mad, this fight. Very clean, good fight. I needed 12 rounds,? said Golovkin.
