Gennady Golovkin is one of the best boxers in the world, but at 37, he?s sure to have his hands full with Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) has a chance to be champion again when he meets Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant IBF and IBO middleweight titles on Saturday, Oct. 5 live on DAZN. He?s still one of the best boxers in the world, but his advancing age makes this a dangerous fight.
Golovkin is 37 years old, and he has shown some vulnerability in the last two years. Daniel Jacobs gave Golovkin a run for his money in 2017, and he fought to a draw with Canelo Alvarez in 2017 and lost to him in 2018. All were close fights, but Golovkin didn?t look like himself in his loss to Alvarez.
In that fight, Golovkin boxed too much and was more passive than in previous bouts. His age may be taking a toll on his endurance and stamina. Golovkin dominates against B-level fighters but has struggled some with elite boxers.
Derevyanchenko proved that he has top-tier potential in his 2018 battle with Jacobs. He lost via split-decision, but he acquitted himself well.
According to the Sportsbook Review, Derevyanchenko is running at 3-1 odds across all significant oddsmakers. Those are fair odds considering his body of work compared to Golovkin?s, but he should give Golovkin problems.
Like Golovkin, Derevyanchenko has an impressive amateur pedigree, although he didn?t accomplish as much as Golovkin at that level. Professional boxing is a different ballgame.
Outside of Jacobs, the best name on Derevyanchenko?s r?sum? is Tureano Johnson. He lacks Golovkin?s experience. He?s four years younger than Golovkin, but he?s not a young boxer. You can?t consider age to be a deciding factor in this fight.
Most would agree that Golovkin isn?t the same fighter today than he was three years ago, but he?s still skilled and powerful. His reflexes, defensive skills, and stamina might be slightly faded, but they are still world-class.
Derevyanchenko is talented enough to give Golovkin a rigorous night, but he lacks the refinement as a boxer to defeat Golovkin. Going by past Compubox statistics, Golovkin and Derevyanchenko post similar numbers.
In his last fight against Jack Culcay, Derevyanchenko threw 887 total punches. He landed 25.8 percent of his punches, which are similar numbers to Golovkin?s two matches against Alvarez.
Derevyanchenko and Golovkin are busy punchers with reliable accuracy, but Golovkin is the harder puncher. Expect Derevyanchenko to throw more punches than Golovkin, but Golovkin should lead in punches landed. His power should decrease Derevyanchenko?s output significantly. I expect him to throw between 150-200 fewer punches than he did against Culcay.
Derevyanchenko?s motor will keep him active against Golovkin but expect Golovkin?s experience to guide him to a close unanimous decision victory.
