NEW YORK — Middleweights Daniel Jacobs and Sergiy Derevyanchenko could not have been more familiar with each other before their fight on Saturday night.
They have known each other for years – though do not proclaim to be friends — share manager Keith Connolly, trainer Andre Rozier (who stayed with Jacobs) and had sparred more than 300 rounds with each other before they met for a big prize.
That showdown came on before 4,691 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden and it was as close as the sparring sessions are said to have been as Jacobs won a split decision and a vacant 160-pound world title.
Two judges scored the fight 115-112 for Jacobs, who notched a first-round knockdown, and one judge gave it to Derevyanchenko, 114-113. ESPN.com also had it 115-112 for Jacobs.
Jacobs had previously held a secondary world title but now he has a major belt and in the deep middleweight division where he is one of the top dogs. But it was not easy against Derevyanchenko, who gave him a fiercely contested battle in which both fighters had their moments.
“He’s a true competitor,” Jacobs said. “I knew exactly what I was getting into when I took this fight. I take my hat off to him. Nothing but respect. I knew it would be hard and I had to dig deep. I used my range and boxed on the back foot. Those are my best attributes.”