Daniel Jacobs Eked Out a Narrow Split Decision Over Gabriel Rosado; Fumbles Strong Message to 168-Pound Elites

Former two-time Middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs collects lackluster split decision against a game Gabriel Rosado at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. on DAZN; salvages possible Super Middleweight title opportunity
Daniel Jacobs and Gabe Rosado during a moment of confusion as the official decision was announced after their bout on the November 27, 2020 Matchroom Boxing card in Hollywood, FL. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

HOLLYWOOD, FL (November 27, 2020) Former two-time Middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs and Gabriel Rosado climbed the three steps inside Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida to settle some well done beef.

The fight marked Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) second fight at 168 pounds. Two-time challenger Rosado (25-13-1, 14 KOs), a 34-year old from Philadelphia, Penn., needed to capitalize on this opportunity for a likely final run at a world title.

Despite the bad blood that accompanied the arrival of fight night, neither fighter took many risks through the first six minutes of action. A slower start was expected from Rosado. During the final days of fight week Jacobs expressed intentions of decisively defeating his opponent to shut him up and quickly move towards the shot to become a two-division champion.

Jacobs punched judiciously through Round 3. He looked to set up power punches. Rosado punched sparingly and did enough to avoid falling into any deficit.

Jacobs’ pace increased in the fourth round. He landed a punishing right hook to the body late in that frame.

Neither fighter accomplished anything significant in the subsequent round. Jacobs missed with a big punch before the bell. Rosado jabbed in spots and showboated to close out the round.

Rosado attacked Jacobs’ body with a two-punch combination early in Round 6. He flicked his jab some afterwards. Jacobs closed the distance to shoot hooks to Rosado’s body. Most of the shots from both were defended.

Rosado punched more often in Round 7, but the majority landed on the gloves of Jacobs. Jacobs got into position and landed the more effective punches in the latter part the round.

Heading into Round 8, neither fighter had landed double-digit punches in any round. Rosado accomplished that milestone in the round, and landed a solid right hand over the top during the final minute.

Rosado got the better of an exchange in the center of the ring late in Round 9. Prior to the bout, Jacobs explained that he expected to show explosiveness late in the fight due to his ease of making the 168-pound max.

Jacobs showed little change in his sense of urgency to open Round 10. He flashed some skilled defensive moves here and there, but the offensive output remained pedestrian.

Jacobs received ramped up encouragement ahead of the championship rounds. The first minute of Round 11 resembled the 10 previous rounds. Late in the round, again, Rosado suddenly stepped to Jacobs and landed a telling right hand up top.

In the first 60 seconds of the final championship round, Jacobs briefly worked up and down. He attempted to land some right hooks around Rosado’s guard. Rosado’s attack was measured, seemingly aware that he might have no less than a draw. The round finished without any major conflict.

The punishment Jacobs never occurred. Rosado finished the fight looking almost like he did when he entered the ring. A moment of confusion occurred during the announcement of the decision, where the winner was announced as the fighter from Philadelphia, the hometown of Rosado. Once there was clarification, Jacobs hand was raised via a split decision with cards of 113-115, 115-113 and 115-113.

Daniel Jacobs and Gabe Rosado during their bout on the November 27, 2020 Matchroom Boxing card in Hollywood, FL. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

After the fight Jacobs was critical of his performance. He admitted he loaded up on shots all night and relied on his right hand too much. The former two-time Middleweight champion also agreed that his performance was lackluster, and alluded to the fact the crowd-free environment caught him off guard to a degree.

Rosado vehemently praised his performance, stated that he clearly out-boxed Jacobs and thought that he earned a victory in a far better fashion than previous Jacobs conquerors Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin.

Also In Action

Undefeated Kazakhstan Welterweight Daniyar Yeleussinov quickly dispatched former Super Lightweight unified champion Julius Indongo. Yeleussinov dropped Indongo once in the first round. After a left hand to side of the head dropped him for a second time in Round 2, Indongo signaled to referee Chris Young that his night was through.

Daniyar Yeleussinov and Julius Indongo during their bout on the November 27, 2020 Matchroom Boxing card in Hollywood, FL. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

Heavyweight Mahammadrasul Majidov earned his third consecutive victory by stoppage with his third round technical knockout of Sahret Delgado. After three victories in 2016, Delgado (8-1, 7 KOs) fought only once in October 2019 before the 291-pound Puerto Rican was defeated for the first time by Majidov.

All Jacobs-Rosado photos by Melina Pizano/Matchroom 

Yeleussinov-Indongo photos by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

RL Woodson

I'm all over the place, literally. Click on something and I'll explain it all. A Tribe Called Quest fan, Good Will Hunting, HTTR and Michigan athletics... #DLTCYO

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