Given the holiday season, Daniel Jacobs is a bit disappointed that Gabriel Rosado isn’t more thankful for what should be viewed as a generous ring opportunity.

Years’ worth of trash talk between the two has resulted in a head-on collision that wasn’t particularly in high demand, though nevertheless takes place this weekend. Jacobs looks to continue his journey towards capturing another major title as he marks time in a grudge match with Philadelphia’s Rosado (25-12-1, 14KOs) this Friday on DAZN, live from a crowdless Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

It’s not a fight which Brooklyn’s Jacobs (36-0, 30KOs)—a former middleweight titlist—takes lightly, though also not one where he expects anything less than a spectacular and dominant victory.

“I can train and give my very best to be prepared, to be ready for the very best Gabe Rosado.” Jacobs noted during the final pre-fight press conference on Wednesday. ”He understands this is his LAST opportunity, even though I’ve given him this opportunity.

“Let’s be clear; he’s been given this opportunity. He didn’t earn this opportunity. You talked your way into this fight. Me coming out of this pandemic, I thought you was the perfect gatekeeper to stay busy and get ready for my world championship opportunities next year.”

Both boxers fight for the first time since appearing on the same card last December at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. Rosado claimed a points win over Humberto Gutierrez long after the crowd was forced to file out due to a post-fight riot following Jacobs’ 5th round stoppage of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the evening’s headlining act.

For Jacobs, it was his first fight at super middleweight after having lost his middleweight title to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (53-1-2, 36KOs) in their three-belt unification clash last May in Las Vegas. The cancer survivor and former titlist is now eyeing a title run at super middleweight, which could have come to fruition with this show. Instead, Jacobs opted to settle up on an old beef before heading on to new business.

“Understand your position,” Jacobs stated to Rosado in somewhat of a dismissive tone. “Levels. You know that. I could’ve fought world champions. I had opportunities. Eddie Hearn (Jacobs’ promoter) can tell you. He hated that I chose to fight you. Look at Instagram, look at Twitter. Everybody is bashing me for taking this fight.

“But for me, I still say that it’s an opportunity for me to shut a man’s mouth who has been speaking very bad about me over the past year. You and I both know the things you’ve been saying, the hate that you’ve been giving me over the years. Jealousy that resides within your heart.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox