Danny Jacobs forces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to quit

Former middleweight champion Danny Jacobs (36-3, 30 KOs) forced one-time titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to quit on his stool at the Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona Friday night.

The result goes into the records as a TKO after five rounds.

The much bigger Chavez (51-4-1, 33 KOs) started the fight aggressively. He jabbed and edged forward. He landed a clean hook to the body. Jacobs moved round the ring for two minutes—until unloading with combinations during the 30 seconds of the round. Chavez connected with a right at the bell.

In round two, Jacobs landed a combination. Chavez bore in and fired a left. Jacobs stuck his jab in Chavez’s face. Jacobs moved to his left and jabbed. The round was his.

Chavez missed two huge overhand rights in round three. Jacobs went to the body and head. Chavez connected with a lead right. Jacobs was boxing well.

Jacobs slide to the left and right in round four. He cracked Chavez with a right to the ribs. Chavez, who’s had three fights in four years, forced Jacobs into the ropes and went to the body.

Jacobs fought off the ropes with combinations.

Chavez landed a left to the chin. Jacobs unloaded combinations and yelled at Chavez at the bell.

In round five, Jacobs continued to box smartly. His jab made Chavez complain. Chavez landed two hard right hands that got Jacobs attention. Jacobs connected with a combination and walked away. Chavez went to his corner with blood flowing from his nose.

Chavez told his corner that he was hurt (either a broken hand or nose, according to reports) The referee asked Chavez if he wanted to continue. Chavez said no.

The fight was over. The crowd pelted the ring with whatever objects they could get their hands on.

“Physically he was a cruiserweight,” said Jacobs. “Even his jab was heavy. It took me two three to get used to his punches.”

Chavez, with his robe shielding his head, got out of the ring quickly. The fans booed and screamed at him. So much for him saying that he knew this fight was his last chance.

It might have been his last fight.