American Daniel Jacobs will fight for the WBO middleweight title on Saturday despite the recent death of his grandmother.
Cordelia Jacobs died last weekend, but her undefeated grandson told The Associated Press on Monday he will still fight Russia's Dmitry Pirog for the vacant belt on the undercard of Juan Manuel Marquez's rematch with Juan Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
''I know she wants me to pursue my dream,'' Jacobs said of his first world title shot. ''She would want me to do what I have to do to win, so I'm really focused.''
The 23-year-old Jacobs was exceptionally close to his grandmother, known as Lady Bird. A devout member of the Jehovah's Witness church, she never saw her grandson fight.
Jacobs has been a rising star since he failed to make the U.S. national team for the Beijing Olympics despite a stellar amateur record and four New York Golden Gloves titles. He is 20-0 with 17 knockouts, including two early-round stoppages this year.
Jacobs was upset by Shawn Estrada in the trials for a spot on the least successful boxing team in U.S. Olympic history.
As a pro, Jacobs has eclipsed every member of that Olympic team with guidance from Golden Boy Promotions and adviser Al Haymon - the same team behind Floyd Mayweather Jr., among other fighters. Jacobs won 12 fights in 2008 and five more in 2009, including a victory on eight days' rest on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's victory over Ricky Hatton.
He has earned two early-round stoppages this year to set up his first fight for a major title against Pirog, an undefeated boxer making his U.S. debut.
Pirog fights in a North American style that appeals to Jacobs, but the fighters are fairly unfamiliar with each other. During a workout in Los Angeles on Monday, Pirog said he has studied film on Jacobs to formulate a game plan.
''I wouldn't say he has been tested more than me,'' Pirog said. ''We've both had a couple of big fights, and we've both had good amateur careers. He's an interesting opponent, and it should be a good matchup.''
