Avila Perspective, Chap. 67: GGG, Derevyanchenko and No More Holding

Almost a decade has passed since the mighty Gennady “GGG” Golovkin arrived in Southern California to give the sunny region a try.

Most people who arrive in the Los Angeles area have Hollywood dreams whether it’s movies, music or television. For Golovkin, it was looking into the world of prizefighting where he heard rumors that Southern California was a bastion for boxing.

Golovkin quickly established roots in nearby Big Bear Mountain –a 96 mile distance from L.A. – where the temperatures were cooler and snow dropped during the winter. Since 2006, the Kazakhstan demolisher has wrecked the dreams of almost everyone he’s encountered inside the boxing ring.

After 13 years as a professional fighter the signs of physical punishment have not touched Golovkin. Despite two wars with Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and 39 others inside a boxing ring, the man known as “Triple G” visually seems about the same.

Russia’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) looks to change the complexion of Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) on Saturday Oct. 5, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. DAZN will stream the IBF middleweight world title clash.

Aesthetically the Kazakh fighter with heavy hands may look the same, but just how much more punishment can he take? Everyone in the fight game has a breaking point.

“Life is unpredictable and I do my work. My biggest opponent is my age and my next opponent,” said Golovkin, 37.

Two bruising battles with the much younger Alvarez had to take a toll; just how much will be revealed in the boxing ring against another heavy-handed fighter in Derevyanchenko.

It could be a reason Golovkin changed trainers earlier in the year.

Johnathon Banks, who now trains Golovkin, has a more defensive-minded style. All of his new tactics will be put to use against Derevyanchenko.

“I know a little bit more,” admits Golovkin of his two training camps with Banks in Big Bear.

For 33-year-old Derevyanchenko it’s the moment of truth.

“I think with the (Daniel) Jacobs fight I proved I am a top level middleweight,” said Derevyanchenko who was floored in the first round then lost a close split decision to Jacobs a year ago.

Losing to Jacobs is one thing, fighting Golovkin is another.

“It’s going to sound simple but I need to move a lot, use my jab and use different angles,” said Derevyanchenko.

One thing that you seldom find with either fighter is clinching. Both prefer to punch it out whether outside or inside.

“You can’t underestimate your opponent, no matter what,” said Golovkin. “It’s kind of like a duel – your last one could be the last one.”

Holding

Speaking of holding, for me there is no worse tactic used in boxing than holding, clinching or tying up a foe in the boxing ring.

It’s illegal.

If you look under the rules of boxing the use of holding is illegal. It’s never supposed to be allowed at any time for any reason. Yet, referees allow it to be used almost all of the time.

Holding by fighters usually means whoever trained them lacks knowledge on defensive tactics and confidence. It also slows down a fight to a crawl and makes any fight not worth watching.

Name me a fight with holding that you really liked?

For any fighter that likes holding I invite them to try MMA where it is acceptable. The use of holding is part of that sport. But even MMA now favors punchers over grapplers.

During the first days of MMA in California, UFC had a horde of wrestlers and other forms of grapplers. Soon the slow-moving fights became a pain for even Dana White. Wrestlers began disappearing from the UFC roster because fans hated to see two guys on the ground for five minutes at a time. Now, if a wrestler is on UFC, you better believe it’s because he likes to punch it out like Dan Henderson.

Fans like to see knockouts. No one wants to see a guy holding and hitting.

All referees should enforce the “no holding” rules immediately and get prizefighters accustomed to fighting without grabbing.

Eradicating the use of holding will make the boxing world better for everyone. Holding is not a defensive tactic. It’s cheating.

What to Watch

Friday 11:30 p.m. Telemundo – Yomar Alamo (17-0) vs Antonio Moran (24-4).

Sat. 4 p.m. DAZN – Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1) vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1); Ivan Baranchyk (19-1) vs Gabriel Bracero (25-3-1).

Sat. 6 p.m. Showtime – Jaron Ennis (23-0) vs Demian Fernandez (12-1).

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