Daniel Jacobs (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daniel Jacobs
Jacobs in 2011
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Golden Child Miracle Man
Rated at	Middleweight Super middleweight
Height	6 ft
Reach	73+1/2 in
Born	(1987-02-03) February 3, 1987 (age 38) Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	42
Wins	37
Wins by KO	30
Losses	5
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Golden Gloves Gold 2005 Little Rock Middleweight Gold 2004 Kansas City Welterweight US National Championships Gold 2006 Colorado Springs Middleweight

Daniel Jacobs (born February 3, 1987) is a retired American professional boxer who fought from 2007 to 2024. He was a world champion in the middleweight division, holding the World Boxing Association (WBA) title from 2014 to 2017 and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from 2018 to 2019.

Jacobs is known by the nickname "Miracle Man." He earned this name because his career was nearly ended in 2011 by a rare type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. After a difficult 19-month recovery, he returned to boxing and became a world champion.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Daniel Jacobs was born and grew up in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He was raised by his mother, grandmother, and aunts.

Before turning professional, Jacobs was a very successful amateur boxer. He had a record of 137 wins and only 7 losses. He won many national championships, including four New York Golden Gloves titles. He came very close to making the U.S. Olympic team for the 2008 Summer Olympics but narrowly missed out.

Professional Boxing Journey

A Rising Star

Jacobs vs. Michael Walker, 2009

Jacobs started his professional career on December 8, 2007. He won his first fight by technical knockout in just 29 seconds. He was seen as a top prospect, meaning many people expected him to become a future champion. He won his first 20 fights, building a reputation as a powerful boxer.

In 2010, Jacobs fought for the vacant WBO middleweight title against Dmitry Pirog. Although Jacobs was doing well in the fight, Pirog knocked him out in the fifth round. It was the first loss of Jacobs's professional career.

The Miracle Man's Return

After two more wins, Jacobs's life changed. In 2011, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a serious form of bone cancer. The illness and the major surgery to treat it kept him out of boxing for 19 months. Many thought he would never fight again.

However, Jacobs made a full recovery. He returned to the ring on October 20, 2012, and won his comeback fight by knockout in the first round. His amazing recovery earned him the nickname "Miracle Man."

Becoming a World Champion

On August 9, 2014, Jacobs got another chance to become a champion. He fought Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA (Regular) middleweight title. Jacobs knocked Fletcher down in the first and fifth rounds, winning the fight by TKO. By winning, Jacobs fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion. "It's the greatest moment in my life," he said.

Jacobs defended his title several times. One of his most exciting defenses was against fellow New Yorker Peter Quillin on December 5, 2015. Jacobs stunned Quillin early in the first round and won by TKO in just 85 seconds.

Major Championship Fights

Jacobs vs. Golovkin

On March 18, 2017, Jacobs faced one of the most feared boxers in the world, Gennady Golovkin. The fight was for multiple world titles at Madison Square Garden. It was a very close and tactical fight that lasted all 12 rounds, which was a first for Golovkin.

Golovkin knocked Jacobs down in the fourth round, but Jacobs got back up and fought hard. In the end, Golovkin won by a narrow unanimous decision. Even though he lost, Jacobs earned a lot of respect for his performance against such a tough opponent.

Winning a Second World Title

After Golovkin was stripped of his IBF title, Jacobs got the chance to fight for it. On October 27, 2018, he faced Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the vacant IBF middleweight championship. Jacobs knocked Derevyanchenko down in the first round and went on to win a close split decision, becoming a two-time world champion.

Jacobs vs. Álvarez

As the IBF champion, Jacobs fought Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez on May 4, 2019. The fight was a unification bout, with four major titles on the line. It was another strategic fight, but Canelo was more accurate with his punches. Canelo won by unanimous decision, taking Jacobs's IBF belt.

Later Career and Retirement

Jacobs continued to fight in the super middleweight division. He had a notable win against Julio César Chávez Jr. in 2019. His final fight was on July 6, 2024, against Shane Mosley Jr., which he lost by unanimous decision. A week later, Jacobs announced his retirement from boxing.

In July 2025, Jacobs mentioned he might consider returning to the ring for a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Personal Life

In May 2011, Jacobs was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a life-threatening form of bone cancer. He received successful treatment at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital and made a full recovery to continue his boxing career. Jacobs has a son.

Professional boxing record

See also

In Spanish: Daniel Jacobs para niños