Jacobs Looking At Title Defense April 11

He is on the real-short list of most likeable boxers in the game today, is Danny Jacobs, and he was his typical charming self when we chatted on Friday, with me seeking an update on when he’ll be gloving up next.

The Brooklyner told me it’s looking like April 11, against TBA, venue TBA, the first defense of the WBA “regular” 160 crown he holds.

First, I got a report on his birthday, Feb. 3. The day went well, as he wined and dined his galpal who interestingly enough shares the same date of birth. Jacobs said he also enjoyed a Q n A chat he did for Showtime, with the best question being how he thinks he’d stack up against some all-time greats, like, say, Marvin Hagler. His quite reasonable reposnse was lol, that Hagler was a beast, a tough nut to crack. “I haven’t reached my prime yet,” he told me. “When I do, I could see that I can hang with him. But he’s a rugged guy.”

Another recent highlight was his TV commercial, which ran in the Tri-State area during the Super Bowl, for NY-Prestbyterian Hospital, which hosted the fighter as he battled cancer a few years back.

The hitter told me that a fight with Peter Quillin was discussed, and he wanted it, for the belt that would have been up for grabs, but Quillin gave up the belt, and Andy Lee and Matt Korobov battled for it. Lee won the WBO version and will now face Quillin for the strap, it was announced yesterday.

I told DJ that BJ Saunders is to get winner, news to him…

He said he’s now much in the mode of wanting to give fans big fights, and that the last couple years has been about getting himself back to top form. He’s there now, and says fans should like the foe chosen for his next bout.

Hey, since Gennady Golovkin holds the WBA “super” belt, would they ever tangle? “Anything is a possibility,” he told me. “I think it’s more so everybody being able to deal with one another now. It’s definitely not NOT a possibility.”

And how would he deal with Triple G? He cracked a joke about not answering that he’d be going in to lay down…but also said he’d like another long fight to shed more rust, and really round into form before taking on a Golovkin. Props for humility and honesty…

“I think I can beat the best. But it’s all about gaining experience.”

We agreed that it is now more likely that a fighter isn’t at their peak but owns a belt, what with the superfluity of straps. The fighter agreed that there are too many, but we both agreed that those belts, even the “minor” ones, are nice snags for people who can, indeed, lose their life while on the job. If a “minor” belt bucks them up, then that’s not a bad thing, we agreed.

We also agreed that the #MayPac situation wasn’t all that good for sport, as all of us are waiting for that other shoe to drop. “I do think it’ll happen, I just have that feeling, it’s not based on inside info. I think it’s about him knowing his legacy and especially that it’s what the fans want.”

The boxer said he’s now an Al Haymon guy, with no Golden Boy affiliation, and is content to have Haymon steer that ship. “I’m focused on big fight. The last two years was about getting good. Now I’m good.”

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