In what promises to be the most difficult fight to pronounce, middleweight kingpin Gennady Golovkin (or “GGG” if you’re into brevity) will step into the ring with Ukranian boxing maestro Sergiy Derevyanchenko. While this fight’s hype is quieter than Tyson Fury when asked about donating his Deontay Wilder purse, it’s actually a thrilling match-up. Golovkin’s pressure fighting style is always a joy to watch, and Derevyanchenko is no dosser. So if we’ve talked you into freeing up Saturday night, here’s what you’ll need to know:
What’s at stake?
Up for grabs is the vacant IBF middleweight championship. Ironically, GGG was stripped of the same title last year after failing to face Derevyanchenko for his mandatory defense. While another run with the strap would be nice, Golovkin seems more intent on getting his hands on its previous owner, one “Canelo” Saul Alvarez. Before he can think about his red-headed nemesis, “Triple G” needs to take care of business against Derevyanchenko.
Golovkin is back in action!
Everyone’s favorite Korean-Russian Kazakhstani fighter is back at the office to work on his 40th professional win. A long-time resident of boxing’s elite, Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1) last fought in June, steamrolling the appropriately named Steve Rolls with a savage left hand KO. Whether or not you think his opponent will be competitive, “Triple G” is back in his natural habitat, and that alone is must-see TV.
Who is Sergiy Derevyanchenko?
While GGG is fabled for his iron chin, his opponent is a rugged customer himself. Nicknamed “The Technician,” Derevyanchenko (13-1-0) has the precision of a surgeon and the physical tools to pick his opponents apart. The only blemish on his record comes from a razor-thin split decision loss to Daniel Jacobs, an elite middleweight who Golovkin is very familiar with.
Will Canelo vs. Golovkin be a trilogy?
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Everyone would love the third installment of Canelo vs. GGG, but is it realistic? Hopefully, but there are a lot of moving parts. Alvarez is in for the fight of his life against Sergey Kovalev this November, and GGG has fond memories of what happens when an elite fighter moves up two weight classes to take on the division’s hardest hitter. Kell Brook, once an undefeated welterweight was never the same after his brutal middleweight loss to Golovkin.
On the flipside, Golovkin is in the twilight of his prime. Now at the age of 37, he has a couple more prime time fights before he either rides off into the sunset or goes full Nigel Benn. Either way, a rubber match between the two legendary middleweights needs to happen when both are still at the top of their games.
Don’t underestimate the undercard
Why is a fighter with only three professional fights on the main card? Israil Madrimov is hailed as a potential European megastar, and he’s not wasting time to pad his record. The virtuosic 24-year-old from Uzbekistan will fight Mexican Alejandro Barrera, best known for his one-sided loss to Errol Spence Jr.
Former IBF light welterweight champ Ivan Baranchyk will also be locking horns with Gabriel Bracero, a Puerto Rican journeyman rapidly approaching his 40th birthday. Not his first encounter with a world champ, Bracero has traded punches with names like DeMarcus Corley and Paulie Malignaggi.
How to watch Gennady Golovkin vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko
The Madison Square Garden fight will be broadcasted on DAZN starting at 7 pm EST on Saturday, October 5th. Click here to find out more. If you want to join the vast sea of Adidas tracksuits watching the two Eastern Euro prizefighters trade haymakers live you can buy tickets here. Enjoy the fight!
