Daniel Jacobs

Daniel Jacobs

“Miracle Man”

RECORD

37 - 4 - 0

KOs

30

Weight 168 lbs (76.36 kg)

Age 37

Home Brooklyn, New York,

Complete Stats

Daniel Jacobs had his career interrupted by life-threatening bone cancer, but he fought his way back to become a 160-pound world champion. Read Bio

Last Fight

Loss vs John Ryder

Feb 12, 2022 / Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London, United Kingdom

Daniel Jacobs LOSES to John Ryder by SD in Round 12 of 12

Latest News

Daniel Jacobs News
Oct 23, 2018 / Daniel Jacobs, Sergiy Derevyanchenko

Daniel Jacobs expects battle of attrition against Sergiy Derevyanchenko

Pair of stablemates and former sparring partners know each other well heading into Saturday night's IBF 160-pound title fight, but Jacobs says his championship experience will be the key difference.

Jacobs vs Sulecki
Apr 25, 2018 / Daniel Jacobs

Daniel Jacobs keeps beating the odds, thriving in the ring

Former middleweight world champion and cancer survivor has overcame everything thrown at him in and out of the ring—plans on doing the same thing this Saturday night against unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki in their WBA 160-pound title elimination bout at Barclays Center.

Daniel Jacobs
Nov 8, 2017 / Daniel Jacobs, Daniel Jacobs

12 Rounds With ... Daniel Jacobs

Former middleweight world champion discusses his tough loss to Gennady Golovkin and breaks down his Nov. 11 bout against Luis Arias.

Fights

Daniel Jacobs Fights

Loss vs John Ryder 30-5-0

Feb 12, 2022 Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London, United Kingdom

Daniel Jacobs LOSES to John Ryder by SD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Gabriel Rosado 25-12-1

Nov 27, 2020 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Gabriel Rosado by SD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr 51-3-1

Dec 20, 2019 Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by RTD in Round 5 of 12

LOSS vs Saul Alvarez 51-1-2

May 04, 2019 T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Saul Alvarez WINS against Daniel Jacobs by UD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko 14-5-0

Oct 27, 2018 Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Sergiy Derevyanchenko by SD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Luis Arias 18-0-0

Nov 11, 2017 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Luis Arias by UD in Round 12 of 12

LOSS vs Gennady Golovkin 36-0-0

Mar 18, 2017 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Gennady Golovkin WINS against Daniel Jacobs by UD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Sergio Mora 29-5-2

Sep 09, 2016 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Sergio Mora by TKO in Round 7 of 12

Win vs Peter Quillin 34-2-1

Dec 05, 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Peter Quillin by TKO in Round 1 of 12

Win vs Sergio Mora 29-5-2

Aug 01, 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Sergio Mora by TKO in Round 2 of 12

Win vs Caleb Truax 31-6-2

Apr 24, 2015 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Caleb Truax by TKO in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Jarrod Fletcher 18-1-0

Aug 09, 2014 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jarrod Fletcher by TKO in Round 5 of 12

Win vs Milton Nunez 26-9-1

Mar 15, 2014 Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Milton Nunez by TKO in Round 1 of 10

Win vs Giovanni Lorenzo 32-5-0

Aug 19, 2013 Best Buy Theater, New York, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Giovanni Lorenzo by TKO in Round 3 of 10

Win vs Keenan Collins 15-7-3

Apr 27, 2013 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Keenan Collins by TKO in Round 4 of 8

Win vs Chris Fitzpatrick 15-2-0

Dec 01, 2012 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Chris Fitzpatrick by RTD in Round 5 of 8

Win vs Josh Luteran 13-1-0

Oct 20, 2012 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Josh Luteran by TKO in Round 1 of 8

Win vs Robert Kliewer 11-12-2

Mar 05, 2011 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Robert Kliewer by KO in Round 1 of 10

Win vs Jesse Orta 7-13-2

Dec 18, 2010 Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jesse Orta by TKO in Round 5 of 8

LOSS vs Dmitry Pirog 16-0-0

Jul 31, 2010 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Dmitry Pirog WINS against Daniel Jacobs by TKO in Round 5 of 12

Win vs Juan Astorga 14-4-1

May 15, 2010 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Juan Astorga by TKO in Round 2 of 10

Win vs Jose Miguel Rodriguez Berrio 20-4-0

Mar 27, 2010 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jose Miguel Rodriguez Berrio by RTD in Round 1 of 8

Win vs Ishe Smith 21-3-0

Aug 22, 2009 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Ishe Smith by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs George Walton 20-3-0

Jun 26, 2009 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against George Walton by TKO in Round 8 of 10

Win vs Michael Walker 19-1-2

May 02, 2009 MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Michael Walker by UD in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Jose Varela 23-5-0

Apr 24, 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jose Varela by KO in Round 2 of 8

Win vs Jose Luis Cruz 12-15-3

Feb 28, 2009 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jose Luis Cruz by KO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Victor Lares 14-3-0

Dec 06, 2008 MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Victor Lares by TKO in Round 2 of 8

Win vs Jimmy Campbell 11-2-0

Nov 08, 2008 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jimmy Campbell by TKO in Round 3 of 6

Win vs Tyrone Watson 7-1-0

Oct 18, 2008 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Tyrone Watson by KO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Emmanuel Gonzalez 9-2-0

Sep 27, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Emmanuel Gonzalez by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Ramon Espinoza 10-7-0

Sep 13, 2008 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Ramon Espinoza by TKO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Sergio Rios 18-8-0

Jul 23, 2008 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Sergio Rios by KO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Julio Perez 5-8-2

Jul 04, 2008 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Julio Perez by TKO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Jose Pena 2-2-1

May 03, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jose Pena by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Leshon Sims 5-7-0

Apr 19, 2008 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Leshon Sims by TKO in Round 4 of 4

Win vs Matt Palmer 2-1-0

Mar 22, 2008 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Matt Palmer by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Alexander Volkov 0-0-1

Feb 16, 2008 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Alexander Volkov by TKO in Round 2 of 4

Win vs Hector Lopez 1-1-0

Jan 25, 2008 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Hector Lopez by KO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Jose Jesus Hurtado 1-1-0

Dec 08, 2007 MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Daniel Jacobs WINS against Jose Jesus Hurtado by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Stats

Daniel Jacobs “Miracle Man”

  • WINS 37
  • LOSSES 4
  • DRAWS 0
  • KOs 30

Weight 168 lbs (76.36 kg)

Height 5'11½" (1.82 m)

Reach 73" (185 cm)

  • Born

    February 03, 1987
  • Age

    37
  • Country

    USA
  • Born in

    Brownsville, NY
  • Trains in

    Brooklyn, NY
  • Stance

  • Rounds Boxed

    198
  • KO Percentage

    81.08%
  • Boxing Hero

Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer

Bio

Daniel Jacobs Bio

Growing up in the tough Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood of Brownsville, Daniel Jacobs was groomed to be a fighter. In May 2011, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a life-threatening form of bone cancer, which rendered him unable to walk at one point. But the "Miracle Man” fought his way back to become the first cancer survivor to win a world boxing title.

A photo posted by Danny J (@dannyjacobs718) on

Jacobs won so much as a youth boxer growing up in Brooklyn that he earned the nickname the “Golden Child.”

While his winning ways continued throughout his professional career, his nicknamed changed to “Miracle Man” to depict that the biggest victory of his life actually came outside the ring.

In 2011, Jacobs was informed that he had a rare form of bone cancer that partially paralyzed him. Doctors told him he would never walk again, let alone fight.

Unsatisfied with their assessment, Jacobs proved both the medical and boxing world wrong when three years later he was hoisting a world championship belt over his head in his hometown arena Barclays Center—becoming the first-ever cancer-surviving champion.

Daniel Jacobs throws a right hand during his win over Michael Walker at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2, 2009.

Bullying leads to boxing

As an elementary school student, Jacobs turned to boxing after one of his classmates began bullying him on the playground.

After getting into trouble at school for fighting the bully, Jacobs learned his tormenter was training at a boxing gym, so he decided to pick up the gloves and settle the score there.

In just his second sparring session, Jacobs beat up the bully—who never bothered him again—and in the process fell in love with boxing.

Jacobs quickly found success as an amateur fighter in New York, winning the national Golden Gloves title at both 147 and 160 pounds, and compiling a record of 137-7 as he earned the nickname of “Golden Child.”

He fell just short of his bid for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, though, when he lost in the finals of the Olympic trials.

Daniel Jacobs knocks out Josh Luteran in the first round of their fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on October 20, 2012.

Shining under the bright lights

Jacobs made his pro debut in Las Vegas on December 8, 2007, gaining a first-round TKO of Jose Jesus Hurtado.

Less than two years after his debut, the unbeaten Jacobs won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ishe Smith in Houston.

The victory improved Jacobs’ record to 18-0, with five of the wins coming in 2009, and he was named prospect of the year by ESPN.com.

Jacobs continued his climb up the 160-pound ranks in May 2010, knocking down Juan Astorga four times in less than two rounds before the referee stopped the fight.

Just when everything seemed to be going right for Jacobs, though, adversity knocked him back of couple of steps.

A week before his July 2010 title fight in Las Vegas against Dmitry Pirog, Jacob’s grandmother, Cordelia Jacobs, who helped raise him, died of lung cancer.

Fighting with a heavy heart, Jacobs was stopped in the fifth round, giving him his first professional defeat.

The loss of a loved one and subsequent loss in the ring tested Jacobs, who would soon take on the biggest fight of his life.

A photo posted by Danny J (@dannyjacobs718) on

Winning the battle against cancer

What began as an opportunity to give back to U.S. troops during a USO tour in 2011 quickly became a living nightmare.

Jacobs was in Iraq when he felt a sharp pain in his legs. The pain persisted, forcing Jacobs to head back to the United States.

His situation grew worse, leaving the fighter unable to walk.

Doctors soon discovered that Jacobs had osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.

A walnut-sized tumor had actually wrapped itself around the fighter’s spine, causing partial paralysis.

After undergoing dozens of radiation treatments and surgery to remove the tumor, Jacobs returned to the ring in October 2012 for the first time in 19 months.

In an inspiring effort, he knocked out Josh Luteran in the first round at Barclays Center in his hometown of Brooklyn.

“They told me I would never box or walk again,” Jacobs told the New York Daily News afterward. “I proved everyone wrong.”

Daniel Jacobs lands a left against Jarrod Fletcher during their 160-pound title fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on August 9, 2014.

Coming all the way back

While simply returning to the ring was a victory of monumental proportions for Jacobs, he still longed to become a world champion.

In early 2013, doctors told Jacobs, who had adopted the nickname “Miracle Man” because of his recovery, that he was free of cancer.

He followed up the good news in April by gaining a fourth-round TKO of Keenan Collins in Brooklyn, flooring his opponent twice in the final round.

After two more victories, Jacobs reached the top of the mountain at Barclays Center in August 2014, knocking down Jarrod Fletcher in the first round before finishing him off with a big right hand in Round 5 to win a 160-pound world title.

“It is a miracle. I'm just blessed to be able to perform and win this title in front of all of these Brooklynites,” Jacobs said afterward. “(While fighting cancer) my son, my baby boy, was my first priority. But getting back into the ring was my second motivation. Boxing taught me to have the mental strength to overcome anything. And that's what I did.”

Daniel Jacobs rocks Caleb Truax with a right hand during their fight in Chicago on April 24, 2015.

Defending the title

Jacobs made his Premier Boxing Champions debut April 24, 2015, when he faced Caleb Truax at Chicago's UIC Pavilion in a fight televised on Spike TV.

It was a technical, defensive battle in the early rounds as Jacobs controlled the action with his superior footwork and precision punching.

Jacobs picked up the pace in the middle rounds and began to use his jab more to pepper the challenger while also switching to southpaw at times.

Jacobs scored a knockdown of Truax in the 12th round before finishing him off moments later, winning by TKO to stay unbeaten.

Daniel Jacobs needed just 85 seconds to take care of former world champion Peter Quillin in their 160-pound title bout in Brooklyn in December 2015.

The knockouts keep coming

While Jacobs needed nearly all 12 rounds to put away Truax, he only required a combined 10 rounds to win his next three fights.

After trading first-round knockdowns with Sergio Mora on August 1, 2015, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Jacobs dropped the former 154-pound champion for a second time moments before the bell to end Round 2. When Mora was unable to continue fighting because of a broken ankle suffered on the knockdown, Jacobs was declared the winner.

Jacobs returned to Barclays Center on December 5 and put his world title on the line against another former champion: unbeaten Brooklyn rival Peter Quillin. Instead of the highly competitive fight most boxing fans and analysts expected, Jacobs barely broke a sweat as he overpowered Quillin and earned a stoppage in just 85 seconds.

Following the biggest victory of his career, Jacobs agreed to a rematch with Mora on September 9, 2016, in Reading, Pennsylvania. After a healthy amount of pre-fight trash talk, Jacobs ultimately let his fists do the talking in the ring, dropping Mora five times on his way to a seventh-round TKO.

Proving his Championship Pedigree

Jacobs lost a narrow decision to unbeaten power-puncher Gennady Golovkin in March 2017, a championship fight that opened the eyes of many in the boxing world to just how skillful Jacobs is.

Golovkin dropped Jacobs in the fourth round, but GGG’s vaunted power never fully materialized as Jacobs kept him off balance by switching between southpaw and orthodox stances, ending the champion’s 23-fight stoppage streak that had spanned nine years.

"After the knockdown, I told him he'd have to kill me," Jacobs said. "When I got up, I thought, 'This is all he has?' There were many times during the fight I went toe-to-toe because I knew I could. I got back up, and I thought I won the fight."

Another Title Shot Vs A Stablemate

Having rebounded with consecutive unanimous decision victories over previously unbeaten fighters in Luis Arias and Maciej Sulecki in November 2017 and April 2018, Jacobs continued to add to his already impressive resume, winning a 12-round split decision over previously-unbeaten Ukrainian contender Sergiy Derevyanchenkoon at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

However, Jacobs fell short in his quest for another world title. In May 2019, he lost a unanimous decision to unified middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

Jacobs returned to the win column with a fifth-round stoppage over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in December 2020. Then in November 2021, he outpointed Gabriel Rosado over rounds. In February 2022, Jacobs lost a hotly disputed points decision to John Ryder in Ryder's native UK.

They told me I would never box or walk again. I proved everyone wrong.