This Week in Boxing History: April 24-30
This week in boxing history, PBC celebrates a three-division titleholder, recalls the crowning of a super middleweight champion, highlights a title defense by “The Hitman,” marvels at a Knockout of the Year and honors a blood-stained Fight of the Year.
First loss fires up Anthony Dirrell
Battling Badou Jack over the course of 12 rounds last Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Anthony Dirrell knew he had to dig in late in the fight if he was going to have a shot to pull out the win.
The Moment: Anthony Dirrell vs Badou Jack
Badou Jack set the tempo against Anthony Dirrell at 1:56 of the second round Friday night, when a jab to the body by “The Ripper” preceded a head-swiveling right hand three seconds later.
Badou Jack hands Anthony Dirrell his first loss in upset
With 22 knockouts in 28 fights, Anthony Dirrell came into Friday night’s fight with Badou Jack at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago with a well-deserved reputation for put-'em-to-sleep power. But for 12 rounds, the Sweden-born Jack was able to stymie Dirrell’s biggest asset and get out with a narrow majority decision to hand Dirrell the upset, and his first career loss.
Survivormen: Anthony Dirrell, Daniel Jacobs united by shared fight against cancer
Anthony Dirrell and Danny Jacobs aren’t bonded by blood, but they call themselves brothers just the same. They were brought together by something that threatened to tear each of them apart.
Anthony Dirrell, Daniel Jacobs ready for battle on Spike TV card
World champions Anthony Dirrell and Daniel Jacobs made weight in advance of their Friday night title defenses, as did their opponents, but not without incident.
Anthony Dirrell looking to make short work of Badou Jack
Anthony Dirrell will be defending his 168-pound title Friday night against Badou Jack, who indirectly may have the champion’s older brother to thank for the opportunity.
See how Anthony Dirrell and Daniel Jacobs overcame cancer to keep fighting on
They’ve bested world champions and top contenders alike, but for both Anthony Dirrell and Daniel Jacobs, their toughest opponent came outside the ring. It was a common foe: cancer.