One
of the central stories that dominated much of the Boxing spotlight from late
2018 until earlier this year was on which broadcast platform would former
unified Middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin sign with following cable
network Home Box Office’s (HBO) decision to exit broadcasting Boxing after
forty-five years. A primary reason why this was of such interest in this was
not only because Golovkin had been one of a handful of fighters that were under
contract to HBO, but more specifically the desire of both fans and experts to
see a third encounter between Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
As
most Boxing fans know, Golovkin and Alvarez engaged in two hotly disputed
fights that resulted in a draw in the first fight and a victory for Alvarez in
the second encounter. Many fans and experts, this one included, felt that
Golovkin had done enough to win both bouts. This along with the competitive
nature of those fights in addition to what some feel was a controversial outcome
in the second fight appeared to set up an ideal scenario for a third encounter
between the two.
The
question of where Gennady Golovkin’s broadcast home would be in the post-HBO era
was answered as he signed a lucrative multi-fight contract with digital
subscription sports streaming network DAZN earlier this year before returning
to the ring to face undefeated Middleweight Steve Rolls in June at Madison
Square Garden in New York City, NY. Despite DAZN’s signing of Golovkin
appearing to follow the scenario for a third fight with Saul Alvarez in
addition to public demand as Alvarez almost immediately signed with DAZN last
year following HBO’s formal announcement that it would be exiting the sport, a
third fight between the two has yet to materialize.
Despite
this, the politics of Boxing, which more often than not leaves itself open to
criticism from the sport’s detractors, may in a round about way actually serve
as a benefit for the fans who support the sport tirelessly. First, the element
of politics that most would likely see as a negative. Following his victory
over IBF Middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs earlier this year in a
unification bout, Saul Alvarez would be stripped of the IBF championship for
not coming to terms for a would be a mandatory title defense against number one
contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
While
the circumstances are somewhat controversial due to Alvarez claiming that he
was unaware of a deadline set by the IBF to reach an agreement with
Derevyanchenko or be stripped of the championship, this may have a silver
lining for both the fighters involved as well as the public. It was recently
announced that Alvarez will move up two weight classes to challenge WBO
Light-Heavyweight championship Sergey Kovalev on November 3rd. The
situation regarding the IBF championship in the 160lb. Middleweight division
will be resolved when Derevyanchenko meets Gennady Golovkin on October 5th
for the vacant crown at Madison Square Garden.
The
fight, which which will be broadcast in the United States by DAZN, will also
have the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) world championship in
the Middleweight division on the line in addition to the vacant IBF crown. This
will give the winner of the bout status as a unified world champion just as
Alvarez, who holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association
(WBA) championships currently enjoys.
While
some may believe that this fight is a step towards an eventual third fight
between Alvarez and Golovkin, it is important to state that Sergiy
Derevyanchenko is a former world title challenger and one of the top fighters
in the Middleweight division. Some may recall Derevyanchenko’s previous
opportunity at a world championship when he lost a close twelve round split
decision to Daniel Jacobs in October of last year. Derevyanchenko was able to
get back in the win column in his last fight by scoring a twelve round
unanimous decision over Jack Culcay in April of this year.
Derevyanchenko
gave Daniel Jacobs all he could handle and there are some who believe he had
done enough to win the fight on the scorecards. Despite that fight being his
only defeat, it is indisputable that Derevyanchenko will be an experience
disadvantage compared to Golovkin in terms of both overall professional
experience as well as experience at the top echelon of the sport.
What
makes this fight intriguing in my eyes is like Golovkin, Derevyanchenko is a “Knockout
Artist”, who has scored knockouts in ten of his thirteen career wins
registering a career knockout percentage of nearly 72%. The key to the fight in
my eyes for Derevyanchenko will be for him to get the respect of Golovkin early
on. This, of course, has proven to be a difficult task for previous Golovkin
opponents due to both Golovkin’s constant pressure style and his punching
power. It is nevertheless crucial that Derevyanchenko get Golovkin’s respect if
he hopes to have any success in this fight.
Although
much of the focus that has surrounded the recent history of Gennady Golovkin
has centered around whether or not a third fight between himself and Saul
Alvarez will take place, it goes without saying that Golovkin must remain
focused on the opponent that will be standing across the ring from him on fight
night. In his last fight against Steve Rolls in June, Golovkin did have some
difficulty against the previously undefeated fighter early on and did take some
punishment before eventually knocking Rolls out in the fourth round.
It
should not be overlooked that while Rolls was largely unknown prior to that
fight, it was also Golovkin’s first fight under new trainer Jonathon Banks, who
replaced longtime trainer Abel Sanchez and one of the stories that surrounded
that fight revolved around what was a nasty split between Golovkin and Sanchez.
Despite what could have been viewed as a distraction, Golovkin did take care of
business against Steve Rolls and it will be interesting to see what changes if
any Banks has been able to make to Golovkin’s style after having more time to
work with his new charge.
In
terms of what one should expect in this fight, it is difficult to say. Both
fighters have shown an ability to box and both have the ability to score quick
knockouts with either hand. Even though it can be at times a cliché to say,
this fight may come down to who is able to take the initiative and execute
their fight plan compared to their opponent.
It
is indisputable that a story that will be hanging over this fight and any fight
that involves Gennady Golovkin or Saul Alvarez will be whether or not the
Boxing world will eventually get to see a third encounter between the two.
While the possibility certainly exists that should Golovkin be successful in
this fight and become a unified Middleweight world champion again that a third
encounter would make even more sense as it would serve as a way to further
unify the division, Golovkin much like Alvarez must focus on the opposition
each has in their immediate futures. As we have seen in the recent history of
the sport, all a fighter needs is one opportunity to upset the whole apple card
and if a fighter is overlooked by an opponent that has their mind focused on
what could potentially be ahead, any and all plans can change in an instant.
Throughout
his illustrious history, Madison Square Garden has played host to many
memorable nights and moments in the sport of Boxing. It remains to be seen
whether or not those of us who cover the sport and fans will ultimately
remember October 5, 2019, the day Gennady Golovkin and Sergiy Derevyanchenko
squared off as the moment when a future Hall of Famer became a world champion
once again or when a top contender was able to make the most out of his second
chance at a world championship. It does have the makings of another memorable
night in Madison Square Garden.
“And
That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Golovkin
vs. Derevyanchenko takes place on Saturday, October 5th at Madison
Square Garden in New York City, NY. The fight as well as its full undercard can
be seen in the United States and several international countries on digital subscription
sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT (U. S. Time.) For
more information about DAZN including schedules, compatible streaming
devices/platforms/smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe
please visit: www.DAZN.com.
In
the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on Sky Sports Main Event (formerly
Sky Sports 1) beginning at 2 AM (Sunday, October 6th Local UK Time.)
For more information about Sky Sports and availability in your area please
visit: www.SkySports.com. Check your
local listings internationally.
The
Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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