Jacobs grabs IBF middleweight crown

NEW YORK - Daniel Jacobs claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title as he traded in his sparring gloves for the real thing to win a split decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The former training partners have sparred more than 300 rounds together, but Saturday's clash at Madison Square Garden was the real deal.

Two judges scored it 115-112 for Jacobs while the other had Derevyanchenko the winner at 114-113.

"I felt like I dug deep," said Jacobs. "I felt like I used my range and tried to use my boxing ability on the outside as much as I can because those are my best attributes."

The 29-year-old native of Brooklyn, New York, is hoping the win lands him a shot at middleweight kingpin Canelo Alvarez.

Jacobs said he has been having trouble getting good fights but now that he has the IBF belt he has more clout.

"We absolutely want Canelo," he said. "Now I have this strap there will be more in the pudding for everybody."

Jacobs dropped Derevyanchenko in the opening round with a stinging overhand right. He landed 181 punches compared to 160 for the 32-year-old Ukrainian.

"From sparring with him I know he gets a little tired in rounds. Seeing his fights and studying him, I knew that if I let him load up and miss the shots I could come back and hopefully get another knockdown," Jacobs said.

Derevyanchenko shook Jacobs with a big hook in the second round.

"I saw the light. I saw stars but it didn't really hurt me. This is as tough as it gets," the American said.

The new champion said he is ready to raise his level another notch and fight the best in the middleweight division.

"I feel like I am in my prime," he said. "I showed true grit and I know I have got another tank inside me if plan A doesn't work."

On the undercard, hardhitting Ivan Baranchyk stopped Sweden's Anthony Yigit in seven rounds to claim the vacant IBF junior welterweight crown and advance to the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE