It should surprise no one if Sergiy Derevyanchenko upsets GGG on Saturday evening and exits Madison Square Garden with the vacated IBF Middleweight title.
Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KO) is a brilliant 6-0 all-time at Madison Square Garden. There are some valid concerns regarding GGG. The 37-year old fighter’s power isn’t what it used to be and the quality of his recent opponents leaves something to be desired. Still, he remains an established brand with a significant edge in experience in high stakes fights as well as a size advantage versus Derevyanchenko. Golovkin will also be entering new terrain with trainer Johnathon Banks who replaced Abel Sanchez last year.
Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KO), enters as a healthy underdog and is being overlooked for several reasons. A win in this spot would be HUGE! Not the flashiest, Derevyanchenko is a good, not great fighter and is fundamentally sound. He’s received a variety of praise this week ranging from “cool cucumber” to “super athlete” & “technical nightmare”. Last we saw of Derevyanchenko he didn’t quite flash in his April victory over Jack Culcay. That said, last October he did a great job battling back versus Daniel Jacobs after getting knocked down in round one.
This fight also isn’t GGG-Canelo. According to Josh Peter of USA Today, GGG feels Canelo ran away from the challenge of a triolgy.
“I think it will eventually happen. I see this fight happening. I’m just not sure when it will happen….Canelo is the one who keeps running away, who keeps running away from the fight. To be honest, all of the dirt that is connected to the team, I don’t even want to touch it.”
It will be a fun fight which will include moments where Derevyanchenko will make GGG work. He’s much closer to GGG than many realize but can he bridge the gap? Saturday will feature more of a tactical chess match feel than a brawl. Derevyanchenko falls just short in my book, i’ll go with Golovkin by decision after 12.
Flip the page for Friday’s weigh in and final face off between both fighters