Tag: Gennadiy Golovkin

Jermall Charlo: ‘After this fight, people are going to say I’m a great fighter’

Jermall Charlo sees his fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko on Sept. 26 as an opportunity to prove his greatness.

Jermall Charlo seems to have a chip on his shoulder. And for good reason. He doesn’t believe people believe in him.

Well, he’ll have a chance to remedy that soon. He is scheduled to face Sergiy Derevyanchenko in what many see as Charlo’s first serious test at middleweight on Sept. 26 in Uncasville, Conn.

The pay-per-view card will also feature a title fight between twin brother Jermell Charlo and Jason Rosario.

“Everybody is doubting me,” Jermall Charlo said on a Zoom call. “I’ve been doubted for years. It’s not anger. I don’t care what my opponent or his trainer says about me. I’m a fighter and I’m ready for this. I really want to just get in there and fight.

“After this fight, people are going to say that I’m a great fighter. I’m the best in the world.”

Jermall Charlo is (right) coming off a seventh-round KO of Dennis Hogan in December. AP Photo / Michael Owens

It probably won’t be easy.

Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) is a former 154-pound titleholder with victories over Austin Trout and Julian Williams, which lifted him to what might be described as semi-stardom.

And he’s had success at middleweight, beating Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan at 160 pounds and picking up a secondary title along the way. The problem is that only Korobov was capable enough to give Charlo significant resistance, which allows questions about Charlo to linger.

Derevyanchenko? The former Ukrainian amateur star lost to top-tier opponents Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin but fought both on even terms, losing razor thin decisions each time and garnering tremendous respect in the process.

That’s why some observers give Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) a good chance of handing Charlo his first loss. And that’s fine with Charlo. A victory over a respected middleweight is what he seeks.

“He lost both of those fights against Gennadiy Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs,” Charlo said. “Competitive or not, that’s what happened. He’s a warrior, though. And I want him to be sharp so he can give me the best he can give me. This is going to be a real fight, just know that.

“I’m going to be super sharp. That’s the message I want to deliver to all of the other middleweights out there.”

That said, Charlo isn’t making bold predictions. He hasn’t proclaimed that he’ll be the first to stop Derevyanchenko. And isn’t putting pressure on himself to defeat his opponent more convincingly than Jacobs and Golovkin did.

It’s all about fighting his fight, emerging victorious and looking good.

“I thought I might need to out-perform Jacobs and Golovkin, but as long as I continue to be myself, I will get the victory and I’ll have my hand raised,” Charlo said. “I’m smarter, stronger and better than I used to be.

“Every fight is a different fight. I let my trainer do the studying. I’m just focused on what I have to do.”

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Pound-for-pound: The top stars’ immediate plans

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some fighters on the list have fights scheduled but many don’t as promoters, managers and matchmakers try to figure out how to get the best fighters into the ring without fans in attendance or wait until until COVID-19 subsides enough to allow spectators.

Here is an updated look at our Top 15 and their immediate plans.

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko — The pound-for-pound king is scheduled to meet honorable mention Teofimo Lopez on Oct. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
  2. Terence Crawford — Promoter Bob Arum is in talks with the representatives of Kell Brook for a possible meeting on Nov. 14.
  3. Canelo Alvarez — Golden Boy reportedly has circled back to British 168-pound titleholders Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent for November or December.
  4. Naoya Inoue — Inoue reportedly is set to face Jason Moloney in November.
  5. Oleksandr Usyk — The meeting with Derek Chisora is targeted for Oct. 31.
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin — Triple-G still plans to defend his title against Kamil Szeremeta, possibly in November.
  7. Errol Spence Jr. — Spence vs. Danny Garcia is on for Nov. 21.
  8. Tyson Fury — The plan is still to fight Deontay Wilder. Dec. 19 was floated as a possible date but the fighters don’t seem to be close to finalizing a deal.
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada — There has been talk about a rematch with Carlos Cuadras in October but nothing has been settled.
  10. Mikey Garcia — He’s still a prime candidate to face Manny Pacquiao but the Filipino icon seems to be focused on other things, including COVID-19 in his country.
  11. Artur Beterbiev — Reportedly scheduled to face Meng Fanlong on Sept. 25 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
  12. Josh Taylor — Scheduled to defend his title against Apinun Khongsong on Sept. 26 in London.
  13. Manny Pacquiao — Who knows?
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai — Made a successful return on Aug. 1, defeating Amnat Ruenroeng. He wants another fight with Estrada but that could take a while.
  15. Leo Santa Cruz — Set to meet Gervonta Davis on Oct. 24 in Uncasville, Conn.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Pound-for-pound: The top stars’ immediate plans

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some fighters on the list have fights scheduled but many don’t as promoters, managers and matchmakers try to figure out how to get the best fighters into the ring without fans in attendance or wait until until COVID-19 subsides enough to allow spectators.

Here is an updated look at our Top 15 and their immediate plans.

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko — The pound-for-pound king is scheduled to meet honorable mention Teofimo Lopez on Oct. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
  2. Terence Crawford — Promoter Bob Arum is in talks with the representatives of Kell Brook for a possible meeting on Nov. 14.
  3. Canelo Alvarez — Golden Boy reportedly has circled back to British 168-pound titleholders Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent for November or December.
  4. Naoya Inoue — Inoue reportedly is set to face Jason Moloney in November.
  5. Oleksandr Usyk — The meeting with Derek Chisora is targeted for Oct. 31.
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin — Triple-G still plans to defend his title against Kamil Szeremeta, possibly in November.
  7. Errol Spence Jr. — Spence vs. Danny Garcia is on for Nov. 21.
  8. Tyson Fury — The plan is still to fight Deontay Wilder. Dec. 19 was floated as a possible date but the fighters don’t seem to be close to finalizing a deal.
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada — There has been talk about a rematch with Carlos Cuadras in October but nothing has been settled.
  10. Mikey Garcia — He’s still a prime candidate to face Manny Pacquiao but the Filipino icon seems to be focused on other things, including COVID-19 in his country.
  11. Artur Beterbiev — Reportedly scheduled to face Meng Fanlong on Sept. 25 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
  12. Josh Taylor — Scheduled to defend his title against Apinun Khongsong on Sept. 26 in London.
  13. Manny Pacquiao — Who knows?
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai — Made a successful return on Aug. 1, defeating Amnat Ruenroeng. He wants another fight with Estrada but that could take a while.
  15. Leo Santa Cruz — Set to meet Gervonta Davis on Oct. 24 in Uncasville, Conn.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Manny Pacquiao won’t rule out possible fight with GGG at 154

Manny Pacquiao said he won’t fight above 147 pounds, which would preclude a fight with Gennadiy Golovkin, but then said 154 is possible.

Those who are intrigued by the prospect of a fight between Manny Pacquiao and middleweight Gennadiy Golovkin will probably never see it.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, threw out Triple-G’s name during a recent discussion about potential opponents for his longtime protégé and the subject became a talker. Would Pacquiao dare move up from 147 to 160 and face Golovkin? Would they meet at 154, four pounds heavier than the catch weight for Pacquiao’s fight with Antonio Margarito in 2010?

The answers to those question seemed to be “no” and “no” in an interview with the Manila Times.

Pacquiao told the newspaper that he will not fight above 147 pounds, which would preclude a meeting between two of boxing biggest stars.

“As long as it is 147 pounds, I am OK with that. But if it’s above that, it’s too big for me,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao was successful against the naturally bigger Margarito, winning by a near-shutout decision at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas. However, that was a decade ago. The Filipino icon is 41 now and less inclined to take such risks.

“No more,” he said. “I did not really have a hard time then, but he was too big.”

Then Pacquiao, perhaps having fun, backtracked a bit, leaving the door open a crack for a meeting at 154 if the Kazakhstani could make the weight.

“154? Hmmm. It depends, I guess,” he said, “but there’s no negotiation [between the camps].”

We’re still waiting to hear who Pacquiao will fight next. Mikey Garcia, who like Pacquiao is a small welterweight, reportedly is a leading candidate.

Pound-for-pound: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai remains at No. 14

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai gave an impressive performance against Amnat Ruenroeng but he’ll have to beat a next-level foe to climb the list.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai had an unusual distinction: The Thai slugger was the first fighter on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list — he’s No. 14 — to see post-lockdown action.

Sor Rungvisai (48-5-1, 41 KOs) defeated 40-year-old countryman Amnat Ruenroeng by a unanimous decision on Saturday in Thailand.

The former two-time junior bantamweight champion gave an impressive performance but he’ll have to beat a next-level opponent to climb the list. He remains at No. 14.

Who on the list fights next? That’s hard to say because scheduling is in flux but, apparently, No. 11 Artur Beterbiev’s light heavyweight title defense against Meng Fanlong on Sept. 25 is the next fight involving a fighter in the Top 15.

The only other matchup that is concrete is No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz vs. Gervonta Davis on Oct. 24.

No. 3 Canelo Alvarez was planning to return on Sept. 12 but he has yet to announce an opponent, which means the date could be pushed back.

No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez (honorable mention) had a target date of Oct. 3 but that fight appears to be in jeopardy of collapsing over money.

No. 4 Naoya Inoue is expected to fight in the fall but no date or opponent is set.

No. 6 Gennady Golovkin is expected to defend his middleweight title against Kamil Szeremeta as soon as next month but nothing has been announced.

Welterweight contender Shawn Porter, an honorable mention here, will beat Beterbiev and Santa Cruz into the ring. He is scheduled to face German Sebastian Formella on Aug. 22, which isn’t likely to have an impact on the list.

The others could surprise us and announce a fight in the near future. We’re waiting.

Here’s a look at our Top 15.

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko
  2. Terence Crawford
  3. Canelo Alvarez
  4. Naoya Inoue
  5. Oleksandr Usyk
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin
  7. Errol Spence Jr.
  8. Tyson Fury
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada
  10. Mikey Garcia
  11. Artur Beterbiev
  12. Josh Taylor
  13. Manny Pacquiao
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
  15. Leo Santa Cruz

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Pound-for-pound: The top stars’ immediate plans

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some fighters on the list have fights scheduled but most don’t as promoters, managers and matchmakers try to figure out how to get the best fighters into the …

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list hasn’t budged because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some fighters on the list have fights scheduled but most don’t as promoters, managers and matchmakers try to figure out how to get the best fighters into the ring without fans in attendance or wait until until COVID-19 subsides enough to allow spectators.

Here is an updated look at our Top 15 and their immediate plans.

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko — The latest target date for a fight with honorable mention Teofimo Lopez is Oct. 3 but nothing is set.
  2. Terence Crawford — Promoter Bob Arum said he hopes to make an announcement soon. Sergey Lipinets? Kell Brook? Shawn Porter? Ray Robinson? Who the hell knows?
  3. Canelo Alvarez — The best realistic choice is Callum Smith. Other options — John Ryder, David Lemieux, Anthony Dirrell, Tureano Johnson, Jason Quigley, et al — wouldn’t go over as well but might be more affordable.
  4. Naoya Inoue — Expected to fight in the fall in the U.S. John Riel Casimero, his pre-COVID-19 opponent, is still an option.
  5. Oleksandr Usyk — The plan is to fight Derek Chisora, probably in November. No official announcement has been made.
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin — Triple-G seems intent on defending his title against Kamil Szeremeta as soon as September but, again, nothing is final.
  7. Errol Spence Jr. — Danny Garcia appears to be the man. A date and site haven’t been announced.
  8. Tyson Fury — Deontay Wilder has exercised the rematch clause in their contract for their second fight. The question is when.
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada — There is talk about a rematch with Roman Gonzalez but that seems unlikely without fans in attendance. Otherwise, who knows?
  10. Mikey Garcia — Seems to be the top choice for Pacquiao. Waiting for the announcement.
  11. Artur Beterbiev — Reportedly scheduled to face Meng Fanlong on Sept. 25 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
  12. Josh Taylor — Still tentatively scheduled to defend his title against Apinun Khongsong but the date and site aren’t set.
  13. Manny Pacquiao — Mikey Garcia … we think.
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai — Reportedly scheduled to face Amnat Ruenroeng on Aug. 1 in Thailand.
  15. Leo Santa Cruz — Reportedly in talks with Gervonta Davis.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Video: Ak & Barak: Does Golovkin need to beat Canelo for his legacy?

Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin have reiterated that they are interested in a third fight, probably next year. The first two were close, with Alvarez-GGG I ending in a controversial draw (most believe Golovkin won) in 2017 and Alvarez winning a …

Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin have reiterated that they are interested in a third fight, probably next year.

The first two were close, with Alvarez-GGG I ending in a controversial draw (most believe Golovkin won) in 2017 and Alvarez winning a majority decision in the rematch the following year.

Alvarez is scheduled to fight next in September, although no opponent has been selected. And Golovkin is expected to defend his 160-pound title against Kamil Szeremeta, also possibly in September.

Alvarez-GGG III could come after that if they both win.

If Alvarez wins the third fight, it will prove that he was the better of the two and enhance his reputation as one of the best fighters of his era. The same with Golovkin, although it might also be the single victory that defines him.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss the potential matchup and its significance..

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer SanglVvj]

 

Jermall Charlo, Sergiy Derevyanchenko nearing deal on fall fight

Jermall Charlo and contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko are in the final stages of negotiations for a fight in either September or October.

Jermall Charlo needed significant challenge. And he reportedly has one.

Charlo, the middleweight titleholder, and contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko are in the final stages of negotiations for a fight in either September or October, according to The Athletic. No site or network was reported.

Charlo was elevated to the WBC’s full titleholder after Canelo Alvarez was designated “franchise” champion in June of last year but, in five fights since moving up from 154 ponds, he hadn’t faced a serious challenge.

Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) should be a genuine test. The durable, well-schooled Ukrainian lost close decisions in title fights against Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin to build a reputation as one of the best in and around the division.

He reportedly also had received an offer to fight Canelo Alvarez, presumably at 168 pounds. The Athletic is reporting that Derevyanchenko wasn’t offered enough to take that fight.

Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) has beaten Jorge Sebastian Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matt Korobov, Brandon Adams and Denis Hogan at 160 pounds, which led some to criticize his choice of opponents at middleweight.

No one will be critical of Derevyanchenko.

Video: Ak & Barak: Will we see Canelo Alvarez-GGG III?

Will a third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin happen? Alvarez and Golovkin first met in September of 2017, with the fight ending in a controversial draw. Most observers thought Golvokin deserved to have his hand raised. They fought …

Will a third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin happen?

Alvarez and Golovkin first met in September of 2017, with the fight ending in a controversial draw. Most observers thought Golvokin deserved to have his hand raised.

They fought again the following September, with Alvarez winning a tight majority decision. Golovkin and Co. believe they won that fight too.

The third fight seemed like a slam dunk after both signed contracts with the sports streaming service DAZN. However, it has yet to happen and it’s unclear when it will.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess asked Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s longtime promoter, about his fighter’s plans.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer 7y0fbYfR]

 

 

Sergiy Derevyanchenko receives offers from Canelo Alvarez, Jermall Charlo

Sergiy Derevyanchenko has received offers to fight Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight and Jermall Charlo at middleweight.

Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Canelo Alvarez? Derevyanchenko vs. Jermall Charlo? Boxing fans would embrace either matchup. And one or the other appears to be a realistic possibility.

BoxingScene.com is reporting that Derevyanchenko has received offers to fight Alvarez at 168 pounds on Sept. 12, around Mexican Independence Day, and Charlo sometime in the fall for Charlo’s 160-pound title.

Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) is the No. 1 challenger to Charlo’s title and is coming off a close decision loss against Gennadiy Golovkin for a vacant 160-pound belt in October but has fought above that weight in nine of his 15 fights, meaning he would probably be comfortable at either weight.

The skillful, rugged Ukrainian would be an intriguing opponent for either Alvarez or Charlo.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) was scheduled to challenge for Billy Joe Saunders’ super middleweight title on May 2 in Las Vegas but those plans were scrapped after the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Saunders reportedly is now balking at the money available to fight Alvarez.

Derevyanchenko doesn’t present the opportunity to win a title in a fourth division but, after his strong performances against Daniel Jacobs (SD loss) and Golovkin (UD), he’s perceived as a legitimate threat to anyone at or near 160 pounds.

Alvarez also reportedly has considered former two-time 168-pound titleholder Anthony Dirrell, who is coming off a knockout loss (in part because of a cut) against David Benavidez in September.

Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) hasn’t faced a top-tier opponent since he stopped Julian Williams at 154-pounds in December 2016. As a middleweight, he has fought Jorge Sebastian Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan.

Charlo needs an opponent of Derevyanchenko’s stature to build some momentum.

Chris Eubank Jr. had been thought to be a leading candidate to challenge Charlo but, in light of the BoxingScene.com report, it appears that Derevyanchenko is the fight the product of Houston wants most.