What a night, definitely unlike any other. Everything was normal up until the main event. I shot from up top in the arena to shoot some wide photos because the arena was packed. I stayed for a few rounds then went down to our photo editor (who was ringside) and passed him my cards. I made it ringside for round 5, but someone from DAZN was standing in my spot. I thought maybe the labels were off a spot. Since we're essentially on the same team and the round hard started, I shot over the person's shoulder. After the round we got situated so I could shot from my spot, but as that was happening Chavez Jr. said he couldn't go on due to a broken nose. From there chaos ensued. Fans were so upset the fight was over that they began to throw soda bottles, beer, and even shoes. Chavez Jr. left the ring without an interview and fans continued to pelt him with whatever they could. Jacobs stayed in the ring to give his interview. Security used ring cards to block him and DAZN's Chris Mannix from getting hit. Kindly security protected me too as I stayed behind to capture photos of Jacobs. Later that night I would hear Michael Buffer say he has seen much worse. Granted I've only been in the boxing game a few years, I haven't encountered anything like that night before. Definitely a wild ending.
Side note: Daniel Jacobs had his robe made in memory of Patrick Day. Jacobs didn’t realize until earlier that week when he came in to take his tv portraits that I had taken the photo of Day in October before his bout. Jacobs thanked me for making that photo fo Patrick. It's hard to describe how it felt for Jacobs to thank me. I will say that over the past year I’ve come to realize just how much these photos (or any photo for that matter) can really mean to someone. Continuously grateful for the opportunity to do what I love.
Photos taken on Friday, December 20, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Daniyar Yeleussinov
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Daniyar Yeleussinov gets his hands wrapped in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Raymond Ford
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Reshat Mati
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Reshat Mati pauses and looks out to the arena and crowd before his ring walk.
(One of my favorite photos from this event.)
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Josh Kelly
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Liam Smith with his trainer, Joe Gallagher.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Liam Smith checks the ring before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Maurice Hooker
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford watches Maurice Hooker shadowbox.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Julio Cesar Martinez with his trainer, Eddie Reynoso.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrives
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with his trainer, Freddie Roach.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. talks to his son as Jr. warms up before his bout.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Daniel Jacobs arrives.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Jacobs versus Chavez Jr.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
After Chavez Jr. said he couldn't go on he exited the ring, which lead to fans throwing everything from bottles of soda to beer to shoes. Fans continued to throw things even as Jacobs gave his interview and continued as he left the ring. Security covered him using ring cards.
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Gabriel Rosado versus Humberto Gutierrez Ochoa
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
Boxing: Daniel Jacobs vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.December 20, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; warms up in the dressing room before his bout at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA