For Daniel Jacobs, Saturday's showdown with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez offers the chance to upset the odds and become the leading man in the middleweight division.

The American fighter claimed the vacant IBF title last time out, beating Sergiy Derevyanchenko via a split-decision verdict, paving the way for a clash with WBA and WBC champion Alvarez.

Just for Jacobs to be fighting is an impressive feat of perseverance and positive thinking. In 2011, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that at one stage left him paralysed.

However, the New Yorker won his most important battle and was back in ring less than two years later, complete with new 'Miracle Man' nickname following his astonishing recovery.

Ahead of his clash with Canelo, we look back at some of the best moments of Jacobs' career.

 @DanielJacobsTKO: “It’s the biggest fight that can be made, especially at the middleweight division.

When everything was taken away from me, all I wanted was to get back to the sport of boxing. It’s nothing short of a miracle to get to this point.” #CaneloJacobs pic.twitter.com/3nORJqno6b

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 30, 2019

WIN v JARROD FLETCHER (2014, TKO)

Jacobs had failed in his first attempt to become a world champion, suffering a dramatic stoppage loss against Dmitry Pirog in 2010 when the vacant WBO middleweight belt was on the line. Given another title shot, this time on home turf in Brooklyn, Jacobs was the one to produce the knockout. He hurt Australian Fletcher early and often, eventually sealing an emphatic victory in the fifth round.

WIN v PETER QUILLIN (2015, TKO)

The battle of Brooklyn did not last long. While Jacobs beating Quillin to retain his WBA strap was not a surprise, few - if anyone - expected the bout to be over inside 90 seconds. The challenger had not lost in 33 previous outings and was a former world champion. Yet 'Kid Chocolate' melted in the heat of battle at Barclays Center, with a right hand staggering him to such an extent referee Harvey Dock stepped in to call a halt to proceedings.

@DanielJacobsTKO ready to take over on May 4! #CaneloJacobs pic.twitter.com/zZ1amxlZuo

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 15, 2019

WIN v SERGIO MORA (2016, TKO)

If there were any questions over Jacobs' first win over Mora, he dramatically answered them by winning the rematch. The initial meeting was fun but fleeting. Both hit the canvas in the opening round, but when Mora went down again in the second he injured his ankle and was unable to continue. Just over a year later, Jacobs made sure there was no doubt. Already dropped in rounds four and five, Mora was floored three times in the seventh. It was job done for Jacobs, who emphatically silenced his rival following a war of words between the pair in the build-up.

LOST v GENNADY GOLOVKIN (2017, UD)

Jacobs did not put an end to Golovkin's unbeaten record (a feat later achieved by Canelo), but he did become the first man to take GGG the full 12-round distance in the paid ranks. Switching stances and utilising his jab, Jacobs frustrated his foe from Kazakhstan, forcing him to settle for a unanimous-points victory. "He was my best opponent," Golovkin said in his post-fight interview at Madison Square Garden.