John Ryder edges Danny Jacobs in London

Danny Jacobs career as an elite fighter appears to be over.  

Underdog John Ryder rallied from way back to defeat Jacobs by questionable split decision over 12 rounds Saturday night at Alexandria Palace in London. 

Scores were 115-113 twice for Ryder and the same for Jacobs

In the opening round, Jacobs used movement and jabs to set up the shorter Ryder.  Jacobs threw right hands at his southpaw opponent. The best Ryder could do was force Jacobs into the ropes. Jacobs, former two-time middleweight champion, fired combinations in round two. After switching to southpaw, he cracked Ryder with a right to the kisser. The Englishman landed a counter right.

Jacobs,35, continued to box effectively in round three. He’d look to the body and fire shots to the head.  Ryder,33, moved forward but with little success.  He dug a shot hot to the body. Jacobs clocked Ryder with a couple of right hands. The first three rounds were his. 

Ryder tried to up the ante in round four. Jacobs kept him on the outside and a jab in his face. Ryder connected with two jabs of his own. Jacobs clipped Ryder with a couple of blows on the inside. 

Round five was more of the same. Jacobs bounced and boxed. He moved to his left. It wasn’t exciting, but he was getting the job done. Jacobs landed an uppercut. Ryder was waiting too much. Jacobs scored with two lefts and a right. 

Ryder got more active in round six. He landed several rights. Jacobs stepped in and scored with the old one-two. He repeated the execution seconds later, but he looked gassed. Ryder did better in round seven – connecting with a couple of short uppercuts. uppercuts. Ryder walked after Jacobs in round eight and dug to the body. Jacobs again switched to southpaw and connected with a combination. Ryder found success on the inside. He cracked Jacobs with headshots. Ryder landed a sharp jab in round nine. He was feeling it. Jacobs landed a big left. Ryder chinned Jacobs with hooks. 

Jacobs was fading, just he had done in his previous two fights. Ryder jabbed in round 10 but ran into a left. He rallied at the end of the stanza, but the round appeared to belong to Jacobs. Ryder connected with a combination in round 11. Jacobs took it well. He fought back with a right. Ryder went to the body. He fired short blows that scored.  

Jacobs appeared to win the last round by outboxing Ryder. 

Not enough, I guess. 

Maxboxing scored the bout 115—113 Jacobs.