NEW YORK ? Daniel Jacobs defeated cancer. But he could not defeat Gennady Golovkin. At Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, Golovkin remained undefeated with a unanimous decision that was met with boos by the crowd. By scores of 115-112 twice and 114-113. USA TODAY scored it 115-113 for Jacobs.
Golovkin knocked Jacobs down in the fourth round, but Jacobs came back strong and made it a close fight at the end. The crowd booed the decision. This was the toughest fight of Triple G?s career, and it was not even close. Golovkin?s 23-fight KO streak ended but his record improved to 37-0 with 33 KOs. Jacobs fell to 32-2 with 29 KOs.
Round 1: Fighters come to the middle of the ring, feel each other out. Crowd chants ?Triple G? GGG connects with a right. Jacobs jabbing. Then connects with a combination. Jacobs using jab effectively. Fighters exhange rights. Stiff jab by Jacobs. And they tie up. Close round, not a ton of action. I give the round to Jacobs 10-9.
Round 2: Jacobs keeps his distance. Left by Jacobs connects and they tie up. Left and right by GGG, who hasn?t thrown anything super hard yet. Both fighters cautious. Right by GGG grazes Jacobs who throws a left hook. Both fighters respect the other?s power, that?s for sure. I gave GGG the round. 19 all.
Round 3: Jacobs with a left and a right. GGG goes to the body and connects. Has Jacobs on the ropes. Jacobs fights him off and escapes the corner. Jacobs ties him up. Right to the body by GGG and counter left by Jacobs both land. and they tie up again. Tough round to score. I give it to GGG. 29-28 GGG.
Round 4: Two rights by Golovkin knock Jacobs down. Another right. GGG attacks and Jacobs says bring it. Jacobs right eye swelling. Crowd chants Tri-ple G!? GGG starting to find his range. Left by Jacobs but GGG moves him back. Fighters exchange at the end of the round. 10-8 for GGG.
Round 5: Two overhand rights by GGG score. Another right moves Jacobs back. Left to the body and right to the head by GGG. Another right followed by a left uppercut. Another right to the body. All GGG now. Jacobs throws two left, one of which connects. Left to the head by Jacobs lands but didn?t seem to hurt GGG. 49-45 for GGG.
Round 6: Hard left by Jacobs lands. Jacobs punching and moving now. Combination by Jacobs lands. Then he comes back with another hard combo and GGG covers up. GGG gets him in the corner, but lets him off the hook. Flurry by Jacobs lands, followed by a right uppercut. Jacobs has GGG on his heels and wins this with a strong round.
Round 7: GGG seems a bit frustrated by Jacobs? gamerplan. The GGG lands a hard right. Jacobs feinting then throws a right and left from southpaw stance. Another score for Jacobs. Hard left by Jacobs. jab followed by a left. GGG counters with a right. At the end of the round, GGG throws a punch after the bell. He seems to be frustrated by Jacobs going southpaw. 10-9 Jacobs.
Round 8: Jacobs flurries on the ropes and they tie up again. Both fighters looking a bit tired. Combination by Jacobs doesn?t land much. He?s back to orthodox. GGG jabbing. Jacobs throws combo that doesn?t land much. GGG snaps Jacobs head back with a jab. Close round. I give it to Jacobs, who seemed to work more. Tie score in my book.
Round 9: Jacobs fighting smartly. Right uppercut misses. Combo by Jacobs lands. Despite the knockdown, GGG not seeming to hurt Jacobs. Then scores a right uppercut that did hurt Jacobs. Another right by GGG as he attacks Jacobs and scores some huge shots at the end of the round. GGG round.
Round 10: Jacobs comes back and goes to the body. Both fighters swing and miss. Jacobs slapping jabs now but scoring. Right by GGG against the ropes scores. Quick left by Jocbos grazes GGG. Two left hooks by Jacobs and then one for good measure win him the round. Tied at 95.
Round 11: Jacobs with a left as corwd chants for GGG. Right uppercut by GGG shakes the sweat from Jacobs. He follows with two left hooks of his own. Jacobs looking gassed. But scores with a left uppercut and GGG takes a step back. Jacobs scores with a right and left. Jacobs attacks and then finishes with a big left hook. wow. Jacobs round. I have Jacobs up 105-104.
Round 12: Mad exchange and Jacobs goes to the body. GGG throws jabs, then two left uppercuts. Right to the back of the head by GGG gets warning from ref as Jacobs smells victory. Vicious left by Jacobs, who continues to be the aggressor. A right by GGG gets through. Crowd chants for Jacobs. It?s over! I give the last round and the fight to Jacobs 115-113. What a great performance by him.
