Three Punch Combo: Building a Case for Derevyanchenko and More

Published

5 years ago

October 5, 2019

Three-Punch-Combo-Building-a-Case-for-Derevyanchenko-and-More-

THREE PUNCH COMBO — Long time former middleweight kingpin Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KO’s) will look to recapture a middleweight title belt when he faces Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KO’s) for the vacant IBF crown on Saturday. While Golovkin is a prohibitive favorite, there are plenty of reasons why Derevyanchenko could pull an upset.

Golovkin’s Weight

Golovkin turned pro as a middleweight at age 24 in May of 2006. Now 37, Golovkin continues to campaign as a middleweight at a point in time in his career where many other fighters would have moved up in weight. Granted, Golovkin has proven to be in phenomenal shape each and every time he has set foot in the ring but there has to come a point in time – and I know I have brought this up before — where continuously squeezing down to 160 takes a toll on his body.

He is not a young fighter anymore. If suddenly shedding those couple extra pounds becomes much harder for this fight, we could see a much more flatter version of Golovkin and that would not bode well for his chances of regaining a middleweight title belt.

Golovkin’s Defense

Golovkin has never been known for his defense. And for most of his career, he has not had to worry much about the defensive aspect. Why should he? His ferocious power was usually enough to keep opponents from throwing any meaningful punches.

But in recent years, Golovkin has abandoned defense even more so. He has fallen in love with his power to the point where he is almost blinded to the other aspects of the game. It began in 2016 with the Kell Brook fight. We saw it again when Golovkin faced Steve Rolls this past June. His opponents just can’t miss when they throw.

Derevyanchenko is nicknamed “The Technician” and for good reason. He is a sharp accurate puncher. Given Golovkin’s lack of focus on defense, if Derevyanchenko lets his hands go with some frequency, he is going to land crisp hard punches on Golovkin early and often.

Golovkin’s Focus

Golovkin signed with DAZN with the clear intent of getting a third fight with Canelo Alvarez. That fight was supposed to take place earlier this month. It would have been a massive event and given Golovkin the opportunity he so desires to make a firm statement as to whom is ultimately the better fighter.

Of course, the third fight to complete the trilogy has not happened and who knows if it ever will? Golovkin did not want to fight Derevyanchenko; he wanted the mega fight. A letdown and lack of focus is a real possibility here.

Under The Radar Fight

On the Golovkin-Derevyanchenko undercard, fast rising Israil Madrimov (3-0, 3 KO’s) returns to the ring to face tough veteran Alejandro Barrera (29-5, 18 KO’s). If you haven’t seen Madrimov fight yet, I’d highly suggest tuning in early as the 24-year old, 154-pound prospect from Uzbekistan has the look of a potential superstar.

When the year began Madrimov was not on my radar. But I was ringside at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY for his second pro fight and watched him annihilate then 24-2 ring veteran Frank Rojas. It was not supposed to be an easy fight for Madrimov, but he displayed not only dazzling ring skills but destructive one punch power in knocking Rojas out in the second round.

Watching his footwork that night against Rojas, I thought I was witnessing a clone of Vasiliy Lomachenko. And then there was the hand speed. It is elite and can be blinding at times. There is no doubt in my mind that Madrimov has all the tools to one day be one of the sport’s top pound for pound fighters.

Barrera is a pretty big step up in class for Madrimov. A solid veteran, Barrera has faced some solid opponents and has pulled off some surprises along the way. Just two years ago, he pulled a mild upset in winning a 10-round split decision against Eddie Gomez. And last year he gave undefeated 154-pound contender Carlos Adames a stern test in dropping a 10-round unanimous decision. Barrera has also proven to be very durable having only been stopped once in his career and that was to Errol Spence Jr. in 2015.

Barrera should be an excellent litmus test for Madrimov. And given the fact that Barrera is also a come-forward pressure fighter who is generally willing to exchange with his opponents, we should also be in store for an entertaining fight. If Madrimov can become the second man to stop Barrera, it would be quite a statement considering that this is just his fourth professional fight.

What’s Next For Shawn Porter?

Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 17 KO’s) fought valiantly and exceeded the expectations of most experts in dropping a 12-round split decision to Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KO’s) in their welterweight title unification fight on Saturday. This was one of those rare situations where the stock of a big name fighter actually increased in defeat.

Going forward, Porter has some intriguing options. A bout with someone like Sergey Lipinets or Jamal James would be very interesting. However, Porter is soon to be 32 and at this point in his career I think he only seeks big fights. I just don’t think the money to fight someone like Lipinets or James would be enough to sniff his interest.

One big name who is also coming off a recent split decision loss that could be on Porter’s radar is former opponent Keith Thurman. Their first fight in 2016 was a candidate for fight of the year and there would certainly be plenty of fan interest in the rematch. Not only would both men make plenty of money for a rematch, but the winner would then be positioned for an even bigger money opportunity down the road.

But despite the fact that Porter and Thurman are both aligned with PBC, a rematch is far from a sure thing. Thurman is on the mend again having recently had surgery on his left hand and who knows when he will be looking to return? As for Porter, as I detailed last week, he is a big welterweight and I would not be surprised if he heads north to 154.

If Porter does go to 154, another possible match for him would be a rematch with Kell Brook. Brook appears ready to restart his career and though a bout with Amir Khan is being discussed, there is no guarantee that it happens.

With big fight options other than Khan somewhat limited for Brook, he may look to a return engagement with Porter. This fight would be a big draw in the UK and the winner would then be poised for something even bigger.

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Matt Andrzejewski

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Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results

Published

1 day ago

January 25, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results

LAS VEGAS, NV – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions was at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas tonight for the second half of a DAZN doubleheader that began in Nottingham, England. In the main event, Diego Pacheco, ranked #1 by the WBO at super middleweight, continued his ascent toward a world title with a unanimous decision over Steven Nelson.

Pacheco glides round the ring smoothly whereas Nelson wastes a lot energy with something of a herky-jerky style. However, although Nelson figured to slow down as the fight progressed, he did some of his best work in rounds 11 and 12. Fighting with a cut over his left eye from round four, a cut that periodically reopened, the gritty Nelson fulfilled his promise that he would a fight as if he had everything to lose if he failed to win, but it just wasn’t enough, even after his Omaha homie Terence “Bud” Crawford entered his corner before the last round to give him a pep talk (back home in North Omaha, Nelson runs the B&B (Bud and Bomac) Sports Academy.

All three judges had it 117-111 for Pacheco who mostly fought off his back foot but landed the cleaner punches throughout. A stablemate of David Benavidez and trained by David’s father Jose Benevidez Sr, Pacheco improved to 23-0 (18). It was the first pro loss for the 36-year-old Nelson (20-1).

Semi wind-up

Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, who as a pro has never fought a match slated for fewer than 10 rounds, had too much class for Hermosillo, Mexico’s rugged Omar Salcido who returned to his corner with a puffy face after the fourth stanza, but won the next round and never stopped trying. The outcome was inevitable even before the final round when Salcido barely made it to the final gun, but the Mexican was far more competitive than many expected.

The Cuban, who was 4-0 vs. Keyshawn Davis in closely-contested bouts as an amateur, advanced his pro record to 5-0 (2), winning by scores by 99-91 and 98-92 twice. Salido, coming off his career-best win, a 9^th-round stoppage of former WBA super featherweight title-holder Chris Colbert, falls to 20-2.

Other TV bouts

Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, a 23-year-old super lightweight, aims to become the next world champion from Pomona, California, following in the footsteps of the late Richie Sandoval and Sugar Shane Mosely, and based on his showing tonight against former Beijing Olympian and former two-division title-holder Jose Pedraza, he is well on his way.

After three rounds after what had been a technical fight, Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) knocked Pedraza off his pins with an overhand right followed by short left hand. Pedraza bounced back and fell on his backside. When he arose on unsteady legs, the bout was waived off. The official time was 2:08 of round four and the fading, 35-year-old Pedraza (29-7-1) was saddled with his third loss in his last four outings.

The 8-round super lightweight clash between Israel Mercado (no relation to “Tito”) and Leonardo Rubalcava was fan-friendly skirmish with many robust exchanges. When the smoke cleared, the verdict was a majority draw. Mercado got the nod on one card (76-74), but was overruled by a pair of 75-75 scores.

Mercado came out strong in the opening round, but suffered a flash knockdown before the round ended. The referee ruled it a slip but was overruled by replay operator Jay Nady and what would have been a 10-9 round for Mercado became a 10-8 round for Rubalcava. Mercado lost another point in round seven when he was penalized for low blows.

The scores were 76-74 for Mercado (11-1-2) and 75-75 twice. The verdict was mildly unpopular with most thinking that Mercado deserved the nod. Reportedly a four-time Mexican amateur champion, Rubalcava (9-0-1) is trained by Robert Garcia.

Also

New Matchroom signee Nishant Dev, a 24-year-old southpaw from India, had an auspicious pro debut (pardon the cliché). Before a beaming Eddie Hearn, Dev stopped Oakland’s Alton Wiggins (1-1-1) in the opening round. The referee waived it off after the second knockdown.

Boxers from India have made large gains at the amateur level in recent years and Matchroom honcho Eddie Hearn anticipates that Dev, a Paris Olympian, will be the first fighter from India to make his mark as a pro.

Undefeated Brooklyn lightweight Harley Mederos, managed by the influential Keith Connolly, scored his seventh knockout in eight tries with a brutal third-round KO of Mexico’s Arturo de Isla.

A left-right combination knocked de Isla (5-3-1) flat on his back. Referee Raul Caiz did not bother to count and several minutes elapsed before the stricken fighter was fit to leave the ring. The official time was 1:27 of round three.

In the opener, Newark junior lightweight Zaquin Moses, a cousin of Shakur Stevenson, improved to 2-0 when his opponent retired on his stool after the opening round.

Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom

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Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Arne K. Lang

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Garry Jonas’ ProBox series returned to its regular home in Plant City, Florida, tonight with a card topped by a 10-round light heavyweight match between fast-rising Najee Lopez and former world title challenger Lenin Castillo. This was considered a step-up fight for the 25-year-old Lopez, an Atlanta-born-fighter of Puerto Rican heritage. Although the 36-year-old Castillo had lost two of his last three heading in, he had gone the distance with Dimitry Bivol and Marcus Browne and been stopped only once (by Callum Smith).

Lopez landed the cleaner punches throughout. Although Castillo seemed unfazed during the first half of the fight, he returned to his corner at the end of round five exhibiting signs of a fractured jaw.

In the next round, Lopez cornered him against the ropes and knocked him through the ropes with a left-right combination. Referee Emil Lombardo could have stopped the fight right there, but he allowed the courageous Castillo to carry on for a bit longer, finally stopping the fight as Castillo’s corner and a Florida commissioner were signaling that it was over.

The official time was 2:36 of round six. Bigger fights await the talented Lopez who improved to 13-0 with his tenth win inside the distance. Castillo declined to 25-7-1.

Co-Feature

In a stinker of a heavyweight fight, Stanley Wright, a paunchy, 34-year-old North Carolina journeyman, scored a big upset with a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeremiah Milton.

Wright carried 280 pounds, 100 pounds more than in his pro debut 11 years ago. Although he was undefeated (13-0, 11 KOs), he had never defeated an opponent with a winning record and his last four opponents were a miserable 19-48-2. Moreover, he took the fight on short notice.

What Wright had going for him was fast hands and, in the opening round, he put Milton on the canvas with a straight right hand. From that point, Milton fought tentatively and Wright, looking fatigued as early as the fourth round, fought only in spurts. It seemed doubtful that he could last the distance, but Milton, the subject of a 2021 profile in these pages, was wary of Wright’s power and unable to capitalize. “It’s almost as if Milton is afraid to win,” said ringside commentator Chris Algieri during the ninth stanza when the bout had devolved into a hugfest.

The judges had it 96-93 and 97-92 twice for the victorious Wright who boosted his record to 14-0 without improving his stature.

Also

In the TV opener, a 10-round contest in the junior middleweight division, Najee Lopez stablemate Darrelle Valsaint (12-0, 10 KOs) scored his career-best win with a second-round knockout of 35-year-old Dutch globetrotter Stephen Danyo (23-7-3).

A native Floridian of Haitian descent, the 22-year-old Valsaint was making his eighth start in Plant City. He rocked Danyo with a chopping right hand high on the temple and then, as Danyo slumped forward, applied the exclamation point, a short left uppercut. The official time was 2:17 of round two.

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Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim

Japan’s magnificent Naoya Inoue, appearing in his twenty-fourth title fight, scored his 11^th straight stoppage tonight while successfully defending his unified super bantamweight title, advancing his record to 29-0 (26 KOs) at the expense of Ye Joon Kim. The match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena came to an end at the 2:25 mark of round four when U.S. referee Mark Nelson tolled “10” over the brave but overmatched Korean.

Kim, raised in a Seoul orphanage, had a few good moments, but the “Monster” found his rhythm in the third round, leaving Kim with a purplish welt under his left eye. In the next frame, he brought the match to a conclusion, staggering the Korean with a left and then finishing matters with an overhand right that put Kim on the seat of his pants, dazed and wincing in pain.

Kim, who brought a 21-2-2 record, took the fight on 10 days’ notice, replacing Australia’s Sam Goodman who suffered an eye injury in sparring that never healed properly, forcing him to withdraw twice.

Co-promoter Bob Arum, who was in the building, announced that Inoue’s next fight would happen in Las Vegas in the Spring. Speculation centers on Mexico City’s Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who is ranked #1 by the WBC. However, there’s also speculation that the 31-year-old Inoue may move up to featherweight and seek to win a title in a fifth weight class, in which case a potential opponent is Brandon Figueroa should he defeat former Inoue foe Stephen Fulton next weekend. In “olden days,” this notion would have been dismissed as the Japanese superstar and Figueroa have different promoters, but the arrival of Turki Alalshikh, the sport’s Daddy Warbucks, has changed the dynamic. Tonight, Naoya Inoue made his first start as a brand ambassador for Riyadh Season.

Simmering on the backburner is a megafight with countryman Junto Nakatani, an easy fight to make as Arum has ties to both. However, the powers-that-be would prefer more “marination.”

Inoue has appeared twice in Las Vegas, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of Jason Moloney in October of 2020 at the MGM Bubble and a third-round stoppage of Michael Dasmarinas at the Virgin Hotels in June of 2021.

Semi-wind-up

In a 12-round bout for a regional welterweight title, Jin Sasaki improved to 19-1-1 (17) with a unanimous decision over Shoki Sakai (29-15-3). The scores were 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.

Also

In a bout in which both contestants were on the canvas, Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3) edged out Misaki Hirano (11-2), winning a majority decision. A 28-year-old Osaka southpaw with a fan-friendly style, the lanky Shimomachi, unbeaten in his last 22 starts, competes as a super bantamweight. A match with Inoue may be in his future.

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