In Brooklyn, New York, the final press conference was held for Daniel Jacobs (33-2, 29 KOs) vs Maciej Sulecki (26-0,10 KOs). The matchup was approved as a World Boxing Association (WBA) final eliminator to fight the WBA Super Middleweight Champion Gennady Golovkin.
The fight will be broadcast live on HBO premium network from the Barclays Center in New York. Jacobs is very happy about fighting in his hometown, saying at the final press conference “Thank you to HBO for believing in me.”
Jacobs has had a big career resurgence recently after signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport, alongside his new contract with HBO as both a fighter and commentator.
Jacobs sees himself as a sort of diplomat of boxing, saying “Boxing is a sport that does not appeal to parents, but I think that guys like myself and Andre ward are ambassadors of the sport.”
Jacobs wants to only fight the best and has been making headlines while pressuring Golovkin for a rematch after losing a controversial decision to him in March of last year.
“The WBA just mandated me for Golovkins belt again and you guys know how vocal I have been on calling this guy out and to get back in the ring to no avail, but now the mandatory is set in place.”
Before Golovkin, Jacobs will of course have to get through Sulecki first. Jacobs called Sulecki “tough and skillful,” further adding, “This is going to be two bulls going at each other”
Jacobs is confident that this fight with Sulecki is going to be a barn burner unlike his fight with Luis Arias this last November, where Jacobs admitted that they got into trash talking but then when they climbed in the ring it was a completely different story.
In closing Jacobs thanked his hometown support, ending by saying “I am glad I get a chance to be in front of my home, my home crowd, my home team and my fans in general.”
Maciej Sulecki only had a few brief words for the crowd at the final presser, simply stating that he is strong and fast and feels very ready for the challenge in front of him.
“I had great sparring partners from USA and England, I am ready.”
Also on the HBO card broadcast from the Barclays Center will be Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (20-0-1, 18KO’s) vs Johann Duhaupas (37-, 24KO’s) which is a WBA heavyweight eliminator.
Miller is starting to be seen as a force in the heavyweight division as he tips the scales at nearly 300lbs and has a punch and crowd-pleasing style to back up the size.
Additionally on the Barclays Center card is gold medalist and WBA World Female Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor (8-0, 4KO’s) defending her title for the second time against Victoria Bustos (18-4).
Katie Taylor is seen as potentially the future of women boxing as she has a very fan-friendly style that is always pleasing to watch and is already a professional champion after a very long and decorated amateur career.
