Daniel Jacobs
I'm able to do motivational speaking all over the world and do so many positive things with my life because of my journey and the battles I've fought. Without cancer, I would have never had some of these opportunities, and I wouldn't be the man I am today.Collection: Motivational
I'm just living daily and I thank God for every day that I have.Collection: God
It's kind of hard for boxing, which is a violent sport, to get the respect that it deserves.Collection: Respect
My grandmother was very strict. She and my mom wouldn't let me hang around the streets. It wasn't my lifestyle.
If I wasn't boxing I'd be a wide receiver or a running back for the Giants.
I'm very confident in myself and in my ability, but in boxing there's always the unknown.
I believe my speed is my greatest advantage. My skill, my ring generalship... I could go on and on.
If I'm winning and looking impressive and being on the scene, the fans are going to start demanding bigger fights.
A fighter in his prime needs to stay active. A fighter, who doesn't have certainty when he's going to fight again, it's hard for him to stay mentally ready.
I fight with glory and I fight with guts and I fight with skills.
It never ceases to amaze me the opportunities that have arisen for me after my cancer scare.
I've been able to not only fulfill my dreams and become a world champion, but there's been so many different opportunities that just blow my mind and opportunities that I never thought I'd have.
Canelo is not only the face of boxing, but he is probably pound-for-pound one of the best in the sport. He's one of the most recognized fighters in all our sport. I think a victory over him, a convincing victory, would definitely solidify my spot and it would be inevitable for people to know who Daniel Jacobs is.
One thing that I learned post-cancer is to enjoy every moment of every day. To find things to be grateful for.
My outlook on life is totally different because my life was almost taken.
Being able to see my family... it's priceless.
Sergio Mora is a Rubik's Cube. You have to figure him out. He's crafty and I have the utmost respect for him.
I'm fortunate for where I come from because even though I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth, it allowed me to appreciate any little thing that I have.
I was raised by my grandmother, my mom, about five or six aunts and female cousins as well. We were all in one building. I definitely learned how to respect and how to treat women.
I know that the strong, black woman is the most beautiful creature in this world, so that's why I always have the utmost respect for my sisters. That's why I make sure I'm not out here disrespecting women and acting a fool.
I've always vowed that if I had a child, I would treat him right. My father was a perfect model for me because everything that he did wrong, or everything that he did I would just do the opposite. Which would be the right thing to do. So that is being in your son's life 100 percent, give them love, give them affection, give them discipline.
I'll continue to strive for success and be the best that I can be.
I wouldn't say that I'm the most avoided man in boxing, but a few guys might avoid me in the middleweight division.
A lot of guys would prefer to go the business route by getting as much as they can for the least amount of risk than to actually put everything on the line.
This is boxing - you can't really say what is going to happen because anything can happen in that square ring.
This is boxing and it's all about putting your punches together perfectly.
They say the only thing that your parents don't teach you is how to live without them, but my grandma's religious beliefs allowed me to accept death even though it was so hard to live without her.
You have all these different reality shows, all social media, all these different things where people have to act a certain way to get attention.
Listen, it's crazy because I almost have to work twice as hard to get the amount of attention as it is for somebody who's a little lighter than me or from a different country than me, you know?
It's a beautiful thing to live in a diverse area.
Boxing is one of those things where you want to be respected for what you do at your craft.
I accept MMA, I appreciate MMA, I even get techniques from MMA, surprisingly, like footwork techniques and how I move. It's different and unorthodox to what boxers are normally used to.
I would be a dumb guy to say I don't like MMA because it's not boxing. You just have to appreciate everything.
Anytime you get an opportunity to better yourself and escape your surroundings you take advantage of it.
My life is meaningful.
I'm not a real religious guy. I'm a spiritual guy and my religion is love.
The thing I've most realized is that when people come up to me and tell me how much my story means to them, how much it was inspiration for them to see me fight through and push through with my career, I realized love is real. And there's no greater feeling in this world, to give back and touch people.
I'm a ride or die Biggie fan. I've come out to 'Victory' so many times.
I miss corner men dressed up in the white cardigans, with sometimes the white hat they may have on.
I'm a very spiritual guy. I'm a firm believer of positive energy.
I'm a pure boxer. I have lightning speed that hurts guys. But I love to box. I love to be on my back foot. I love to work my jab and combinations.
There's no better way to prove the doubters wrong than to win in a KO fashion.
Andre Ward is a guy I look up to, a guy I have the highest respect for in and out of the ring, so anytime he can give me some kind of advice, I'm like a sponge.
At the end of the day, don't bet against me. Don't bet against me.
Giving back - that's the purest joy you can possibly have.
I had such severe nerve damage that I didn't get the nerves all the way back. My pinky toe on my left foot is still numb, and I feel it when I'm in bed at night or when I'm by myself. That pins-and-needles feeling reminds me that life is precious, and don't take for granted what you have.
I have athletic power that people can't see, that sharpness, the big bang that hits you.
When I first turned pro, I was making a lot of money, and I was spending money from two fights down the line.
When I was reading the Bible, I came across the word 'meek.' It means to be humble. I asked God, I want to become meek, allow me to become meek. About two months later I was struck with cancer. I realized this was God testing me. If you want to become appreciative, and humble, and meek, I'll strip you of everything.
I want to be a world champion, but I want to be the face of Livestrong.