Daniel Jacobs leaves Phoenix with a victory at a heavier weight, some newfound fans and $1 million more than he expected when he arrived. But he also departs with one regret.
He didn’t get a chance to remember an absent friend the way he had hoped to.
There was an angry crowd, boos and a shower of debris instead of a solemn moment for Patrick Day.
“I really was looking forward to giving a speech about my friend Patrick Day afterwards,’’ Jacobs said after fans threw cups of beer, bottles, chairs and just about anything else not anchored to the floor at Talking Stick Arena in outrage at Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s decision not to continue after the fifth round Saturday night on DAZN.
Jacobs came into the ring wearing a custom-made robe and trunks in honor of Day, a middleweight who died four days after suffering brain trauma during a fight in early October. “Patrick Day, All Day“ was stitched in blue on the back of the rob and across the trunks.
But plans for heartfelt memorial were undone by the rush for cover.
“To me, that kind of spoiled that moment, in order for me to really honor him the right way,’’ Jacobs said. “But this is boxing. This is a crazy, hectic sport. I wouldn’t assume anything else.’’