KAZAKH middleweight Gennady Golovkin will get another shot at a world title, though he will have to wait for a third encounter with Mexican rival Canelo Alvarez. Instead Golovkin will take on Sergey Derevyanchenko on October 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The two fight for the vacant IBF middleweight title. It was a belt that Alvarez had added to his collection after beating Danny Jacobs earlier this year. But Canelo’s team failed to come to an agreement with Derevyanchenko, the mandatory challenger, and so the IBF stripped him of their title, allowing Golovkin to swoop in and fight for the vacant belt.
If Canelo vs Golovkin III was to be anything like their first two clashes, it would have been a great fight. But Golovkin vs Derevyanchenko is not bad. The strong Ukrainian might find Golovkin’s style better suited to him than Danny Jacobs, Derevyanchenko’s stablemate and the only man to have beaten Sergey as a professional. And while Derevyanchenko’s 13-1 record might look modest, he was a masterful exponent in the five-round quasi-pro World Series of Boxing format back when he was on Ukraine’s Olympic squad. Golovkin, who has turned 37, is also ageing and not necessarily the same destructive force he has been in recent years.
“I have a great deal of respect for ‘GGG’ and looking forward to proving in the ring that I will be up to challenge and fulfil my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion,” Derevyanchenko said. “Those in attendance at Madison Square Garden and watching on DAZN will see an outstanding battle on Saturday October 5. I can’t wait to enter the ring.”
Golovkin declared, “Everyone knows that I consider Madison Square Garden as my home away from home and there is nothing better than fighting there again. It is old school.
“On October 5, it’s going to be a good fight. Every time I enter the ring I try to give my fans the fight they want to see, the show they deserve. This will be such a fight. We will bring back Big Drama Show to the ring of The Garden and to DAZN. Don’t miss it. You will see everything you love in the sport of boxing.”
It might also be good news Billy Joe Saunders. The WBO super-middlweight champion has linked up with Matchroom Boxing, who are working with Lou DiBella and Golovkin’s promotional company to stage this show. The Briton is keen secure a fight with Golovkin himself. That might be easier to secure now. Read more from Billy Joe Saunders here.
