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Danny Jacobs talks spinal illness, year out and planned October return

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
‘The Golden Child’ on comeback trail

Former world middleweight title challenger Daniel Jacobs is aiming to defy the odds and return to the ring later this year, having fought back from being diagnosed with a rare form a spinal cancer.

The 25 year-old had stopped two opponents since losing out to Dmitry Pirog for the WBO title in in July 2010, before being diagnosed in May 2011 and after undergoing major surgery on his back that left him with a huge scar, Jacobs is eager to astound the doctors and resume his boxing career.

“This last whole year seems like a blur I guess. Since I had my dreams set on this big time return, the months have just flown by,” Jacobs told World Boxing News.

“I haven’t set any specific targets for myself as my immediate goal is to just step foot in the ring!“

"Then, I need to get the right opponents to give me the proper work that will allow me to get my ring rust off and at the same time, have the necessary skills where I can still learn.

“Nothing has changed regarding my dreams as I still want to become a world champion, inspire as many people as possible with my story, and retire with much success and with my brain still intact.”

Jacobs spectacular comeback story could be completed by October as the American hopes to fight on the undercard of Paulie Malignaggi’s first WBA welterweight title defence at the new Barclays Arena and 'the Golden Child' is fully focused on a future in boxing.

“All going well, my next fight will be on the 20th of that month at the new Brooklyn stadium,” Jacobs explained.

“Without looking too far ahead, it will be a picture perfect story if I can get a rematch with Pirog. But I realise that I am in no position right now to make any demands, so I'll sit back, get the ring rust out and evolve as a complete fighter and then I can go for the rematch,” he added.

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