Daniel Jacobs Retires From Boxing – ‘I’m The First Cancer Survivor To Be A Champion’

Daniel Jacobs has retired from the sport at the age of 37.
Jacobs made the announcement shortly after losing to Shane Mosley Jr. That was his second loss in a row, while it was only his second fight in over four years. His previous fight was a split-decision loss to John Ryder. He retires with a 37-5 record, which includes 30 KOs. His biggest win came against Sergiy Derevyanchenko to win the vacant IBF Middleweight Title. Meanwhile, he knocked out Jarrod Fletcher in 2014 to win the vacant WBA Middleweight Title. He came up short in the two biggest fights of his career, losing to Canelo Alvarez and GGG. Now, Jacobs has said he is walking away from the sport.
Jacobs Reacts
“Announcing my retirement. I want to show my gratitude and appreciation to the sport of boxing as it has changed my life in ways I never could imagine it has instilled so many morals and values I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Boxing made me the man I am today.
“It has always been my dream to be a champion in life and when boxing found me, I was a poor kid growing up in Brownsville Brooklyn with not much to look forward to. As a young black kid I was being forced fed an identity that I wasn’t important or wouldn’t succumb to anything substantial in life I was told the ghetto that I grew up in was was full of criminals with no future and I will be a statistic just like my peers and the ones that came B4 me dead or in jail with no potential to make it out or to make a success of myself,” Jacobs said
Jacobs has been through mass adversity in his career. In 2011, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a unique type of cancer that left the boxer paralyzed. Jacobs then underwent surgery to remove a tumor, with serious question marks over whether he would return to boxing. After continuous treatment, Jacobs decided to return to the ring in 2012. Two years later, he would win a world title after beating Quillin.
Jacobs’ Legacy
Jacobs did start his Get in the Ring Foundation in 2012. This was done to help people struggling to pay for medical bills for their kids who had cancer. The Foundation also aimed to offer better nutrition for kids and tackle bullying. Given Jacobs’s huge work outside of the ring, he has left a legacy in and out of the sport. Danny is likely to receive many offers from punditry or training, given the amount of experience he has at the highest level. He was grateful to be able to inspire others.
“I’m able to say I’m the first cancer survivor to be a boxing world champion, the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever [achieved]. Being able to inspire others with my story has always made me feel like my life meant more than just fighting inside the ring. A true miracle man,” Jacobs added
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