Derevyanchenko choosing Jermall Charlo over Canelo fight?

It appears that Ukranian Middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko has made a choice for his next title shot, and intriguingly, it won’t be against Canelo Alvarez.

No, instead, according to a report by the Athletic’s Mike Coppinger, Derevyanchenko has chosen to fight WBC title holder, Jermall Charlo,

Jermall Charlo and Sergiy Derevyanchenko are in the process of finalizing a deal for a middleweight title tilt in Sept. or Oct., sources tell The Athletic. Big-time fight. Derevyanchenko was also in the running for a fight with Canelo Alvarezhttps://t.co/RqW2hFjVeO

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 13, 2020

As we wrote earlier this month, Derevyanchenko  13-2, 10 KOs, who pushed IBF middleweight champion, Gennady Golovkin, to the limit (photo at top) in a 12 round split decision loss last October, had been in serious discussions with Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions about fighting the four division World Champion in September.

Derevyanchenko also previously challenged for the IBF portion of the 160 lb. title and lost another close decision to Daniel Jacobs in 2018. Alvarez subsequently took the IBF belt from Jacobs in May of 2019.

Meanwhile, Canelo, who’s 53-1-2, 36 KOs, was to have fought England’s Billy Joe Saunders for his WBO Super-Middleweight title in Las Vegas in May. However, the Coronavirus outbreak stopped the sport and then, Saunders ended up getting suspended indefinitely by the British boxing Board of Control for inappropriate comments he made on a social media video about domestic violence.

Saunders’ status is still not resolved at this point and it has become obvious that Alvarez’s camp no longer wants to fight him.

Alvarez is the top fighter/draw for Golden Boy Promotions and their TV partner, DAZN streaming service, and the tentative September date is for Las Vegas and Mexican Independence Day weekend could potentially have some fans- socially distanced. However, with the recent surges nationwide in Coronavirus, those plans to fight with fans present may be in serious jeopardy.

As for Jermall Charlo, he was last in the ring in December with a 7th round TKO win over Dennis Hogan in his third title defense. And, this would be considered his toughest Middleweight opponent to date.

And, it is likely that PBC would want Charlo, 30-0, 22 KOs, who’s one of its top stars that still holds onto a prominent championship belt, to have a fight with Derevyanchenko in front of some fans with social distancing. But, the same issue with Covid 19 positive tests surging exists.

PBC has not had a fight card to date since the pandemic began. But, they’re expected to be back with an August 8th show on Fox over the air, involving Welterweight contender Jamal James in a main event bout that will be without fans and reportedly at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

As Coppinger wrote, it’s unclear whether Charlo’s potential battle with Derevyanchenko (if it’s finalized) would be on Fox or potentially, on Showtime Championship Boxing premium cable?

Showtime will reportedly resume with fight cards on its lineup in August at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut without fans present.