Daniel Jacobs vs. Ishe Smith: Round By Round

We're joining Bob Papa, Max Kellerman and Lennox Lewis from Houston for HBO's Boxing After Dark. It's a rare tripleheader with the main event featuring hometown boy Juan Diaz as he takes on Paulie Malignaggi.

First though, it's a middleweight clash between undefeated Daniel Jacobs and Ishe Smith. The tale of the tape shows Jacobs with height and reach advantages, and after re-hydrating, he's about nine pounds heavier too.

The Golden Child is 17-0 with 15 KOs, and this is only the second time he's been scheduled for 10 rounds. Smith is nine years older and is 21-3, but he's lost two of his last five.

Michael Buffer handles the introductions and we're ready for action.

Round 1

Somewhat cautious start for Jacobs as he tries some stiff jabs. Smith keeps his guard high to pick them off. Smith reaches for a body shot and quickly backs off. Jacobs doubles and triples the jab. Smith tries some counter shots but neither guy is really landing anything. Lewis points out that Smith is following but not throwing enough. The ref warns Ishe for a low shot. Both men try flurries in the last 10 seconds.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 2

Jacobs switches stances a few times to try to find an opening. Smith comes charging in and is quickly tied up. Both men land hooks in the center of the ring. Right hook and more jabs from Jacobs; Smith throws with both hands to the body. Smith finds the range again with some hooks and backs Jacobs to the ropes. Danny scores with a combo coming forward. Left underneath the guard by Jacobs. Better action in that round.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 3

Harold Lederman gave that round to Smith. He's still coming forward and landing some shots, but Jacobs is responding in kind. Danny is fighting going backwards a lot though. He keeps the jab active and tries some body work but gets whacked upstairs. Jacobs counters along the ropes with rights to the head and lefts to the body. Smith scores with the left hook, his most consistent punch by far. Both men land right at the bell and Smith seems to think the last punch from Jacobs was late.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 4

Jacobs starts a little more aggressively now. Smith throws a combo starting with the left but Jacobs stands his ground. Ishe is doing a little more dancing and feinting. There are some wild swings in the center of the ring with most of them missing. Smith shakes his head as he takes a few right hands. Jacobs flurries and Smith lands a counter right. Left hook from Jacobs and Smith waves him in.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 5

Jacobs has thrown 200 more punches thus far according to CompuBox. Smith bulls forward and is tied up twice. Right uppercut by Danny off the jab. He backs all the way up but times his counters well as Smith comes in. Ishe has a cut near his right eye. Jacobs punches his way out of a clinch and backs away. Smith throws clubbing shots inside and ends up off-balance. Both men trade jabs and Smith lands a combo that dazes Jacobs. The bell sounds and the fighters have to be separated.

Franchise: 10-9 Smith
Spartan117: 10-9 Smith

Round 6

The ref gets the boxers together to warn about punching after the bell. Jacobs looks like he has his feet under him after that mean combo at the end of the fifth. He's still outworking his foe but Smith is landing counter lefts. Jacobs throws fast body shots and Smith shakes his head again. Hard one-two by Smith and Jacobs gets fired up. The ref is active as wrestling breaks out twice. Smith steps up with a right hand and Jacobs fires right back. Nice exchange at the bell again.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Smith

Round 7

Smith stalks again and lands two shots, but the ref warns him again. Kellerman thinks Jacobs is winning but credits Smith for making him uncomfortable. Jacobs throws to the head and body but it's mostly for show. Smith pumps jabs and bides his time. Jacobs opens up along the ropes and Smith is forced to cover up from the onslaught. Jacobs moves off the ropes and scores with a right hand upstairs.

Franchise: 10-9 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 8

Smith shakes off a few punches as he stalks. Jacobs flashes his hand speed again. He triples up the jab and tires some body shots. You can hear Bernard Hopkins shouting from the second row. Smith lands a left hand and then another in the middle of an exchange. He does some work on the inside that includes an uppercut. Low body shot by Smith but the ref doesn't see it.

Franchise: 10-9 Smith
Spartan117: 10-9 Jacobs

Round 9

Both boxers lands left hooks as Smith tries pressing forward. Jacobs flurries to the body. Right hand crashes home for Smith. He uppercuts inside but Jacobs takes it well. Danny works his way out of a clinch. They stand and trade and Jacobs lands two nice left hands. Smith makes it ugly inside and the ref steps in. Left hand by Smith amidst a wild exchange and Jacobs says bring it on. Smith throws right after the bell; it was close but the ref deducts a point.

Franchise: 10-8 Jacobs
Spartan117: 10-8 Jacobs

Round 10

Smith's corner tells him he needs a KO, which is likely the truth. He's trying to go for it but Jacobs is moving well, even in the final round. Danny sticks and moves and still stays with his jab. He has to tie up in the corner as Smith tries for the home run shot. Jacobs circles out and keeps punching. Smith lands a few shots along the ropes but Jacobs isn't hurt. Ishe may have tired himself out; he gets credit for giving it his all right to the final bell.

Franchise: 10-9 Smith
Spartan117: 10-9 Smith

Franchise: 97-92 Jacobs
Spartan117: 97-92 Jacobs

The judges score it 96-93 twice, and 100-89, all for the winner, Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs.

Posted by The Franchise