Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Maciej Sulecki Preview

Beyond all of the drama in the middleweight division right now, a pivotal match draws near Saturday night. Elite practitioner Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs combats #5 rated Maciej “Striczu” Sulecki in a 12 round WBA world title final eliminator. The Miracle Man could make a strong case for best 160 lb. boxer alive. And Striczu certainly is no slug. Here we will evaluate how they stack up. Brooklyn, NY native Jacobs (33-2, 29 KOs) carries a sublime set of skills. Excellent footwork paired with extremely nimble feet rank among his greatest assets. Crackling power and startling hand speed in accompaniment. An enlightened jab joining extensive punch variety plus creative shot selection equals a highly dangerous proposition for anyone in the division.

Even though Sulecki (26-0, 10 KOs) may be far less known, this warrior from Warsaw hopes to make a huge impression. Gritty and hard boiled by appearance, Striczu looks every bit of the part. Deceptively artful and canny, Sulecki has proven to be more than proficient in the prize ring. Also quite aggressive by nature, scrappy while showing solid technical abilities. Always punching with bad intentions. Very active but somewhat limited comparatively.

Looking into the numbers, Sulecki stands at 6’1 with Jacobs just under 6 feet. More importantly, the Miracle Man trumps him by reach. A 5” edge plays right into Jacobs’ lethal hands. Sulecki arrives less than one week away from his 29^th birthday. While Jacobs enters at age 31, seemingly an inconsequential difference there. Both primarily utilize the orthodox stance yet Jacobs can switch effectively to southpaw as conditions may warrant.

A few extra points to consider: Jacobs, the deft counterpuncher, could employ this key strategic advantage to deliver punitive damage as Striczu and his penchant for aggression might lead to recklessness, making mistakes in the process. Long time trainer Andrzej Gmitruk aims to keep him on task. Conversely, Jacobs will take instruction from the unsung but masterful Andre Rozier. If he can control distance that is a great start.

The co-main event features local undefeated heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller vs. former title challenger Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas. Action gets underway from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 10 pm EST on HBO World Championship Boxing.