Sergey Derevyanchenko wasn’t the opponent Jaime Munguia wanted but he might be the best the Mexican has faced.
Munguia, the 160-pound contender from Tijuana, has been trying to lure a high-profile opponent into the ring for years. Most recently he has targeted 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol and 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo.
Instead, he’ll take on a fellow contender known for close fights with big-name foes Saturday in Ontario, California (DAZN). The Ukrainian has never been stopped.
“Derevyanchenko is a tough fighter,” Munguia said through a translator. “He is someone who has gone to the ring and gone the distance with high profile fighters. No one has been able to knock him down. …
“I think this fight and a victory against Derevyanchenko will show everyone that I am ready for any challenge.”
Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs) swears he was serous about moving up two divisions to face Bivol, the man who upended 168-pound star Canelo Alvarez. That might be a sign of his desperation.
A meeting with Charlo is more realistic, although the fact the fighters are aligned with competing handlers would make negotiations complicated.
Munguia and others in a similar situation are hoping that the success of the fight between Gervonta Davis (Premier Boxing Champions) and Ryan Garcia (Golden Boy Promotions) will open the door to more crossover events.
Munguia is handled by Golden Boy, Charlo by PBC.
“We have always pursued high profile fighters like Golovkin and Charlo and those fights haven’t materialized due to circumstances that are out of our control,” Munguia said. “[Charlo] hasn’t fought in 2½ years and is still considered the world champion.
“I am not sure what his plan is moving forward, but I am ready to face him if he wants to get in the ring with me.”
Of course, Munghuia must get past Derevyanchenko first. And, as other top fighters would tell him, that’s no easy task.
Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) is a polished technician and tough as they come. That combination allowed him to compete on roughly even terms with Daniel Jacobs, Gennadiy Golovkin, Jermall Charlo and Carlos Adames, the first three fights being for major titles.
The problem for Derevyanchenko is that he ended up on the wrong end of close decisions each time, a fate that has haunted him.
That’s why he’d like to take the judges out of the equation when he fights Munguia. He will be seeking a knockout.
“I’m definitely going to try,” he said through a translator. “As I’ve said, I’ve had many very close fights I thought went in my favor but didn’t go that way. … Sometimes you win definitively and it isn’t enough.
“This time, we’ll see what happens. My goal is to end the fight early.”
Derevyanchenko knows only thing with certainty: Munguia is in for the fight of his life, just as the aforementioned elite boxers were.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Derevyanchenko can finally get over the hump in a big fight. They’ll also learn whether Munguia can take down an opponent with the ability and experience to push him to his limits.
“I’m a tough fighter,” Derevyanchenko said. “I think I’m regarded as one of the best in the division. If [Munguia’s] team has big plans for him, if they want to make him a superstar, he’s going to have to fight people like me and win.”
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