On Saturday, December 5, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, WBA World middleweight champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs), from Brownsville, Brooklyn, defends his title against former WBO World middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (32-0-1, 23 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn by way of Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Twenty-eight-year-old Jacobs is an eight-year pro who won the vacant title in August 2014 by stopping Jarrod Fletcher via fifth-round TKO. He has twice defended his title, against Caleb Truax in April and most recently this August, stopping Sergio Mora by second-round TKO, after trading knockdowns in the first. Jacobs’ only loss came in July 2010 when he was stopped by Dmitry Pirog via fifth-round TKO.
Quillin, 32, is a 10-year ring veteran who is ranked #5 by the WBA. He last fought in September, knocking out Michael Zerafa in the fifth. “Kid Chocolate” won the WBO championship in October 2012 after knocking down Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam six times on his way to the title. He defended three times, against Fernando Guerrero and Gabriel Rosado in 2013, and Lukas Konecny in 2014, before relinquishing the belt when he could not make the weight for his fight against Andy Lee, which was ruled a draw after 12 rounds.
It’s a coin toss as to who will win this fight. Jacobs has better skills. Quillin has power and might be more dogged.
Jacobs and Quillin also have history. They sparred together a decade ago. Their paths cross often and they consider themselves friends.
“We’re friends,” said Quillin. “I know a lot about him and he knows a lot about me. Me and him always bump into each other in New York and there’s always love. So this is strictly part of the business that, you know, whether people love it or not you’re just going to have to accept it.”
Jacobs agrees.
“We’re really cool individuals,” he said. “I respect him and I respect his family and there’s nothing but love at the end of the day. But what that means right now is nothing because we’re fighting for our legacy. We’re fighting for our pride and for our career.”
But there’s something else at stake, however amorphous, a thing called Brooklyn bragging rights.
“Not only are we fighting for the bragging rights in Brooklyn,” said Jacobs at Gleason’s Gym on Wednesday, “but we both want to be at the top of the middleweight division. All the top middleweights are fighting each other and we’re right in that realm.”
The consensus top middleweight in boxing is WBA Super champion Gennady Golovkin. Until further notice, he’s the man to beat (with Canelo coming in a distant second).
But belief is a big part of Jacobs’ game—as well it should be since he’s been to hell and back.
“I believe my speed is my greatest advantage,” he said. “My skill, my ring generalship … I could go on and on. Ultimately it’s about going in there and proving it. He’s gonna have to hit me to test my chin. This sport is about hitting and not getting hit. Anybody can be knocked down, but you have to land shots. Every time I’ve gotten knocked down, I’ve gotten up. If I get a guy hurt. I can get a guy out of there as well. My punching power is there. I have more knockouts than Quillin and I’m going to be at my best on Saturday.
“That’s all I can focus on.”
The bout will air live on Showtime starting at PM/ET.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
