Daniel Jacobs: Signing With Eddie Hearn Was a No-Brainer

By Victor Salazar

New York - During last week's Jorge Linares vs. Luke Campbell event in Los Angeles, middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs and promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports created an industry shockwave when they announced their promotional agreement, and the fact they entered into an exclusive multi-fight deal with HBO.

Hearn is the most successful promoter in the United Kingdom and currently guides some of the biggest names in boxing that include Anthony Joshua and Kell Brook.

With Hearn looking to expand his operation stateside, the move to sign Jacobs and bring him exclusively to HBO was shocking because Jacobs had gone without a contracted promoter for his entire career and had fought most of his fights on Showtime in recent years.

Jacobs (32-2, 29 KO’s) felt the move was necessary in the next chapter of his career.

“I’m excited,” Jacobs told BoxingScene.com “In my last fight (against Gennady Golovkin), I proved that I was the best middleweight in the world, if not I proved I’m a key player in the division. Now I have a promotion behind me as well as the backing of a network.”

Jacobs will take on undefeated Luis Arias (18-0, 9 KO’s) on November 11th from the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The bout will mark Jacobs' return to HBO and feels that his decision to sign with a U.K. based promoter was the correct move because of his track record.

“I think Eddie is great and looking at his track record and what he has done with Anthony Joshua speaks for itself,” explained the Brooklyn born middleweight.

“Then hearing that this opportunity of him trying to make a base in the US, I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. I think he’s a hands-on personal guy and I think it’s just a no-brainer for me.”

Although Jacobs has signed with a promoter, he wanted to once again dispel any rumors of him leaving his adviser Al Haymon.

“Al is still on my team and is still my advisor, through thick and thin he's been with me and I’m going to make sure I do the same [for him],” Jacobs said.