Report- GGG-Derevyachenko nearly set for October
The International Boxing Federation wants a Middleweight Title fight between top Contender Sergiy Derevyachenko and former Undisputed Champion, Gennady Golovkin. And, a report Sunday night says that it’s very close to happening, and soon.
After stripping Champion “Canelo” Alvarez of their version of the middleweight title 10 days ago, because he could not come to an agreement to fight Derevyachenko this fall, the Athletic’s Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger reports the Derevyachenko and Golovkin will be meeting October 5th:
Sources: A deal is imminent to match GGG and Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a middleweight title bout on DAZN, and contracts are being drafted. In order to maintain Oct. 5 date at MSG, deal needs to be closed in coming days
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) August 12, 2019
Coppinger did qualify things in the tweet that the deal is not official yet, but obviously DAZN streaming service, which has a three fight deal with Golovkin, is anxious to not only have a quality championship bout on that date, but has to commit or will lose the date with Madison Square Garden.
Golovkin has headlined on more than one occasion at the “World’s most Famous Arena,” and will be a great draw for the streaming service and the live gate at MSG.
Derevyachenko (13-1 10 KOs) became the IBF number one contender after he defeated Jack Culcay by decision in April and when Alvarez continued to stall and not come up with any opponent this fall, they ordered him to fight Derevyachenko.
Golovkin (39-1-1 35 KOs) did his deal with DAZN streaming service earlier in 2019 in hopes of having a third fight with Alvarez for the Undisputed Middleweight title.
GGG and Alvarez fought to a draw in their first battle in September of 2017, and Alvarez won the rematch and undisputed title by a disputed decision 12 months later. It was Golovkin’s first professional loss, after he had defended the undisputed title six times, previously.
Golovkin last fought in June, at Madison Square Garden, when he knocked out Canadian Steve Rolls in the fourth round. He has been the main event draw in a title fight at MSG on three other occasions in the past five years. So, the deal with the venue and his popularity in the New York market will make the fight an easy one to market and sell.
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