Two-time American middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs has officially retired from the sport following an emotional message he left on social media where he announced and substantiated on his decision to depart from the sport.
Daniel Jacobs’ last match occurred roughly over a week ago on July 6th in a match at super middleweight (168 lbs) where he ended up losing to former middleweight (160 lbs) contender American contender Shane Mosley Jr. (22-4, 12 KO’s).
Jacobs will put an end to a career that has spanned for almost 17 years and saw him win a world title twice. Jacobs further significantly contributed to the sport by fighting the best opponents available, including the likes of Mexican multi-division champion Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KO’s) and the now-retired Kazakhstani legend Gennady Golovkin.
The first world title that Jacobs won came years after his first attempt to become a world champion in 2010 when he faced and lost [by technical knockout (TKO)] to Russian WBO champion Dmitry Pirog. Roughly four years later, Jacobs was met with another title opportunity in 2014 against Australian contender Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA 160 lbs title.
Jacobs would go on to win the match by stoppage, and go on to make four title defenses of his WBA title from 2015 to 2017 until he lost to Golovkin by unanimous decision (UD) in a close unification bout at middleweight.
Just a year later in 2018, Daniel Jacobs would capture the [vacant] IBF middleweight title against Ukrainian fighter Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KO’s) through a split-decision (SD) win that saw Jacobs become a two-time world champion. He would lose the title in another unification match against Canelo Alvarez in May of 2019, but once again proved his ability as an elite fighter by giving Alvarez plenty of competition throughout.
As Jacobs would go on to illustrate in his retirement post on Instagram, the American two-time champion has fought battles both inside and outside the ring, most prominently managing to become a world champion after being struck by cancer [in 2011], and continuing to engage at the top level for many years after.
“I want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to the sport of boxing. It has been an incredible journey that has shaped me in ways I never thought possible. Boxing wasn’t just a career for me; it was a path that transformed my life.
“Growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, I faced challenges that could have defined me, but boxing gave me purpose. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the belief that I could achieve greatness against all odds. I am proud to have risen from those tough streets and become a champion in life.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to so many. To my fans, you have been my inspiration and my driving force. To my teachers, thank you for imparting knowledge that extended beyond the classroom. To the OGs in my neighborhood, your guidance kept me focused on the right path. To my friends, thank you for always believing in me.
“My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the Starrett City boxing community and my trainers, including the late Victor Roundtree. Your wisdom and support shaped my career.
“To my family, especially my son Nathaniel, you are my heart and my reason for everything. Your love and support have carried me through every victory and setback.
“I am incredibly proud to have become a 2-time world champion. Being the first cancer survivor to achieve this feat is my greatest accomplishment. It has shown me that life’s challenges can be overcome with determination and faith.
“Beyond the titles and the fights, I am most grateful for the opportunity to inspire others with my story. I hope I have shown that with perseverance, anything is possible.
“Thank you, boxing, for the memories, the lessons, and the friendships. This isn’t goodbye; it’s a new chapter. I look forward to what the future holds.”
Daniel Jacobs
Daniel Jacobs retires at the age of 37. Notable highlights of his career also include his amateur achievements, specifically his Golden Glove successive tournament wins in 2004 and 2005, and his US National Championship win in 2006. Jacobs would become a professional a year later in 2007, during which he made short work of his opponent, Mexican fighter Jose Jesus Hurtado, by stopping him in the 1st round of their 168 lbs contest.
