Gennady Golovkin v Daniel Jacobs Betting Tips

Gennady Golovkin puts his titles and unbeaten record on the line against Daniel Jacobs when he steps back into the ring for the first time since his comprehensive win over Kell Brook. Most believe this will be another mere formality for the pound for pound king however with only one loss to his name Jacobs could prove a more than worthy opponent. Betsafe get into the ring again with leading opinion Boxing News with this comprehensive preview to the fight.

Background

New York’s world-famous Madison Square Garden will be the setting when Kazakh destroyer Gennady Golovkin, 36-0 (33), puts his WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles on the line over 12 rounds against America’s Daniel Jacobs, 32-1 (29), on Saturday March 18. The challenger has received this opportunity on account of the fact that he holds the secondary WBA belt at 160lbs – effectively he is the No. 2-ranked middleweight in the organisation, after Golovkin. 

In fact, in the official Boxing News ratings, the pair are positioned at the top of the middleweight league – Golovkin at 1 and Jacobs at 2. Their lofty standings are fully justified, considering they are the two most in-form 160-pounders on the planet – Jacobs has not lost since 2010, while Golovkin is still yet to taste defeat as a professional.

Strengths

Golovkin

Where to start with Golovkin’s strengths? The unassuming middleweight supremo is quite simply the most formidable fighter in the world today. As well as being a devastating puncher – boasting a frightening 92 per cent KO ratio, including 23 inside-schedule successes in a row – “GGG” is also a quality technical boxer, having collected Olympic and World medals as an amateur. An expert at cutting off the ring and cornering his foes with astute footwork, Golovkin breaks his rivals down by relentlessly stalking them and unloading precise and power-packed shots, such as unerringly accurate jabs and arcing hooks. The bullishly strong champion also possesses an iron-clad chin.

Jacobs

Jacobs’ greatest attribute could well be his indelible fighting spirit, which he has demonstrated most strikingly outside the squared circle. In 2011, the 30-year-old was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – a form of bone cancer. Incredibly, he battled back to not only defeat the disease, but also to cement himself as one of the world’s very best middleweights – which explains just why his nickname is “Miracle Man”. 

The proud owner of an 88 per cent knockout quotient (his last 14 victories have all come inside the distance), fast-footed Daniel is a swift and skilful hitter who utilises his impressive mobility to dart inside and land powerful combinations – most notably his right hook-right uppercut combo. Similarly to Golovkin, the tall and rangy Jacobs enjoyed a successful and extensive amateur career, during which he honed his patient, pumping jab, as well as his useful ability to switch stance. Competing in front of his home fans in the Big Apple, the Brooklynite will be going all out to impress in the biggest fight of his life.

Weaknesses

Golovkin

Although he can take a punch as well as anyone in the sport, Golovkin illustrates this too often. He tends to neglect head movement, which means he is inclined to being tagged. In this sense, he can be made to look somewhat one-dimensional at times when he marches forward continuously with sheer disregard for what is coming his way. Additionally, now approaching 35 years of age, Gennady is certainly getting on a bit for an elite-level competitor.

Jacobs

While Golovkin has never been knocked down as an amateur or pro, Jacobs has been floored and stopped in the past. Maybe this is why, on occasion, the New Yorker can be a tad too conservative – once bitten, twice shy.

Past Form

Due to his fearsome reputation between the ropes, Golovkin has unfortunately found it difficult to entice many high-profile fighters into the ring with him. However, his record still includes various noteworthy victims, such as Kell Brook (most recently in September), David Lemieux, Martin Murray, Daniel Geale, Curtis Stevens and Matthew Macklin, all of whom were dealt with inside time. The Los Angeles-based wrecking ball is currently on a startling run of 17 consecutive successful world middleweight title defences.

Following 20 successive wins – including one over currently world-ranked Ishe Smith – Jacobs suffered a surprise stoppage loss to Dmitry Pirog in a vacant WBO middleweight title tilt in 2010. Since then, Daniel has registered a dozen straight victories. In approximately the last year-and-a-half, he has secured early triumphs over Sergio Mora and, most eye-catchingly, Peter Quillin, as well as a second stoppage of Mora last time out in September.   

What they say

Golovkin

“I understand this fight is huge for me, for everybody. I have a great deal of respect for Daniel. I believe he is ready for this fight, because I have the belts, and this is a dream for him. He is an amazing fighter. He is my toughest opponent and No. 2 in the middleweight division. It is very important for us to prove who is the No. 1 middleweight, and who is the best. I promise an amazing show.”

Jacobs

“This is the fight that I’ve always wanted. This is the pinnacle that you could possibly reach to consider yourself the best. For me, it’s the perfect opportunity and the perfect time for this to happen – in my hometown. I have the utmost respect for Gennady. I believe he is the best in the middleweight division, and I have to come to shock the world, and prove that I’m the best. If I’m 100 per cent mentally and physically prepared, there is going to be a new undisputed middleweight champion of the world. My fists will do the talking inside the ring.”

Prediction

IN the early going, Golovkin may find it difficult to land his vicious strikes cleanly, as Jacobs establishes his pinpoint jab and stays on his toes. However, Gennady’s ring generalship is arguably unequalled in boxing. As he makes the ring smaller and smaller for Jacobs with his cunning footwork, the champ will begin to connect more frequently with his punishing shots. With the action heating up in close, Daniel will score with some of his own heavy-handed clouts, but in a firefight with “GGG”, any middleweight will come out second best. Like all Golovkin bouts, edge-of-your-seat entertainment will be guaranteed. The pick is for Jacobs to play his part in an explosive affair, before being forced out just after the halfway mark.

About Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler is the reporter of Boxing News, the oldest boxing publication in the world. Established in 1909, Boxing News’ reputation as the market authority comes from over 100 years of experience in the hardest game.