Bright lights, lots of hoopla, and celebrities in search of a microphone. Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs 28-1-0 (26KO) was hyped and ready for his first WBA world middleweight title defense. He knew going in that he was the low man on the title totem pole. Ahead of him were Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillan.
If Jacobs wanted to be looked upon as their equal, he needed to make a good showing against Caleb “Golden” Truax, 25-1-2 (15KO) who had never been stopped or even knocked down in his nine year career. Caleb’s last two fights were at UIC Paviion in Chicago, tonight’s venue, the site of tonight’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBS) broadcast on Spike TV.
Caleb held the hometown advantage, but that’s about the only advantage he possessed. Jacobs was more athletic, faster, the harder puncher, and better boxer. Caleb was tough and determined, but was outgunned and out boxed. Both men started the fight overly cautious. Caleb needed to started fast and try to nullify Jacobs’ speed and movement. Jacobs didn’t have to be so cautious, because it was obvious that every time he opened up with a quick combination, it flustered Caleb, forcing him into a shell, or driving him back out of range. When Caleb moved forward, he could be described as the aggressor, but it was not an effective aggression. There was no seek and destroy. There was no damage.
Here and there Caleb did land a right hand, maybe a few right hand uppercut or straight right, but he never hurt Jacobs, and there were very few instances when he controlled the action. Even as round after round went by, Caleb failed to step things up. He just wasn’t willing to take chances, and it was obvious that was the only way he was going to have any kind of chance at winning.
Caleb’s corner man hit the nail on the head when he told Caleb to quit trying to load up on the right hand. He admonished Caleb explaining, “I can see it, and I guarantee you if I can see it, he can see it.” It was pretty obvious that was the case. Jacobs was having an easy time of it, and as the rounds rolled by, Caleb’s face started to show damage from Jacobs’ snappy jab and repeated overhand rights. Caleb’s nose was bloodied, and there was a cut under his left eye.
Caleb failed to do any of the things a fighter must do when faced with a speedier foe. Things like timing, punching in between his punches, going to the body, keeping his gloves and arms inside of Jacobs’, landing to the body and keeping from being tied up. Obviously Caleb needed to cut off the ring and avoid being led around and used as target practice. As the slower man, he needed to use a lot of feints, every kind you can think of ……i.e. legs, gloves, head and eyes. He needed to keep Jacobs off balance. He needed to slip, counter, slip and if necessary (as Dimtry Pirog did) use a shift or double shift to close the distance and disguise his punch(es). Pirog managed to do so and scored a clean knockout. Caleb did not, and as a result was stopped for the first time in his career. Going into Friday night’s fight, Caleb had suffered only one loss, and two draws. He claimed to have learned a lesson that he had to start faster and finish stronger. Caleb is a college grad, so he’s used lesson assignments, but tonight he failed to gain a passing grade
