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SPORTS Monday 29 october 2018

Jacobs edges Derevyanchenko to win IBF middleweight title

By BRIAN MAHONEY the same trainers and have
AP Sports Writer sparred against each other
NEW YORK (AP) — Danny in Brooklyn. Jacobs said it
Jacobs needed the big would be bittersweet work-
challenge, wanted to fight ing against people he’d
a guy who even some of known for so long.
boxing’s best wouldn’t. Their familiarity may have
Now Jacobs knows what caused a cautious begin-
else he wants. ning, with neither throwing
“I want Canelo next,” he a punch in the opening
said. half-minute as they sized up
Even a fight with Canelo each other. Jacobs got ag-
Alvarez couldn’t be much gressive later in the round
tougher than the one Ja- and scored a knockdown
cobs had Saturday night. when Derevyanchenko’s
Jacobs won the IBF middle- gloves touched the canvas
weight title, pulling out a after Jacobs’ overhand
thrilling split decision over right along the ropes.
Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Derevyanchenko rallied
Jacobs scored a first- nicely and caught Jacobs
round knockdown and with a good left hook in the
that helped him build just second, fought well again
enough of a lead to hold in the third and both con-
on in a tight finish in which nected well in the fourth.
both fighters were swing- Daniel Jacobs, right, punches Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko during the ninth round of a IBF They both landed and
ing wildly across the late middleweight championship match Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in New York. missed with wild punches
rounds. Associated Press in a back-and-forth sixth,
He won 115-112 on Tom dleweight for his next one. opponent after Alvarez’s off the hard-charging Ukrai- each shaking his head dur-
Schreck and Steve Weis- He’s expected to return to failed drug test caused the nian in a finish that had fans ing the round to show he
feld’s cards, while judge Ju- 160 pounds afterward and original date for their re- in the crowd of 4,691 inside had taken a good punch.
lie Lederman scored it 114- Jacobs, who narrowly lost match to be scrapped. the Theater at Madison But Jacobs had a quick-
113 for Derevyanchenko. to Golovkin last year, wants Derevyanchenko showed Square Garden standing ness advantage and was
“Hats off to Sergiy. I knew to be the opponent. why even Golovkin and chanting at the end. able to move away from
he was a true competitor,” “The fans want it,” Jacobs wouldn’t have wanted “It was a very close fight,” some of Derevyanchenko’s
Jacobs said. “I knew he said. “Now I have the strap, him, landing big shots to Derevyanchenko said. “I hardest shots when it ap-
was going to be hard so I let’s do it. I’d rematch Triple Jacobs’ body in the mid- knew that the knockdown peared he was going to be
had to dig deep.” G but he’s not a champion. dle rounds and just missing could come back to bite trapped in a corner, some-
The Associated Press scored I want the champs.” with some to the head that me.” Jacobs’ win capped times even switching to a
it 114-113 for Jacobs. Derevyanchenko (12-1), could have done major what’s been a flurry of ac- southpaw stance to slip
Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) took who had more than 400 damage later. tivity in the 160-pound di- away from trouble.
the belt that was vacated fights as an amateur but “Sergiy is one of toughest vision over the last seven Still, Derevyanchenko kept
when Gennady Golovkin has had trouble finding and most skillful I’ve ever weeks. Alvarez has two of coming and started catch-
chose not to fight Derevy- work as a pro, fell just short been in with,” Jacobs said. the major belts after edg- ing Jacobs again in the lat-
anchenko, his mandatory in his long-awaited first shot “He’s been avoided but I ing Golovkin last month, er rounds.
challenger, this spring while at a title. wanted to fight him for the and Demetrius Andrade “It was a great fight. He’s
awaiting his rematch with He wanted it in the spring strap. I needed that strap won the other last week. a tremendous competi-
Alvarez. but Golovkin wouldn’t face to get the bigger fights. It’s Jacobs and Derevy- tor and I’d like to fight
Alvarez won that bout and Derevyanchenko when risk and reward.” anchenko share a man- him again soon,” Derevy-
is moving up to super mid- he searched for another He did just enough to hold ager, have worked with anchenko said.q