Sergiy Derevyanchenko plans to be more aggressive than usual in his fight with Jermall Charlo on Saturday.
Sergiy Derevyanchenko has vowed to learn from his narrow professional defeats when he fights Jermall Charlo on Saturday in Uncsaville, Conn.
The 34-year-old Ukrainian has come up short in his two biggest fights, dropping a split decision to Daniel Jacobs in October 2018 and then losing on all three scorecards against Gennadiy Golovkin 12 months later at Madison Square Garden.
On both occasions, there were onlookers who felt “The Technician” got a raw deal from the judges. However, when he fights the unbeaten Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Derevyanchenko plans to leave less room for doubt in the eyes of the ringside scorers.
“Jermall Charlo is a tough fight and wonderful fight,” Derevyanchenko said in an Instagram Live session with Premier Boxing Champions.
“Yeah, I’m ready for this fight. I want to put more pressure and be more aggressive, and every round is easy. This is a good opportunity to take a [secondary] belt. I’m so proud to be in this show.”
Sergiy Derevyanchenko (right) said added aggression could help him on the scorecards. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Charlo, 30, will be as tough a mountain for Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) to climb as Jacobs and Triple-G were, but he is confident that the third time will be a charm.
“It was a close fight [both times],” Derevyanchenko said of his defeats to Golovkin and Jacobs. “I see the mistakes I made against Golovkin and Jacobs. Jacobs has a good punch, and Golovkin has a good punch. And I think I need more pressure and more push. I have sparring partners that are similar to Charlo.
“Every fighter has power and a good punch. I’m ready. Let’s see on the 26th, let’s do a good fight, and we’ll see who is better. … Every fight I want to [put on a] show when people watch my fights.”
Derevyanchenko has fought into the 12th and final round in four of the five 12-rounders in his professional career while Charlo has gone the distance in two of his last three, so a long battle could be on the cards.
“My career is very long, and I have a good experience,” Derevyanchenko said. “I think it helps me in this fight.”
The five greatest boxing brothers in modern history.
The Charlo twins – Jermall and Jermell Charlo – must already be considered among the greatest boxing brothers of all time.
Jermall, one minute older than Jermell, is a two-division titleholder if you count the secondary middleweight belt he currently holds. Jermell is a two-time junior middleweight titleholder and arguably has a better resume than his sibling.
And, at 30 years old, they are still writing their legacies. They’re scheduled to take part in fights Saturday on pay-per-view that could take them to the next level, Jermall against Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell against Jeison Rosario.
Other sets of boxing brothers have accomplished more as of this moment but stay tuned.
Here is a look at the five greatest brother combinations in the modern history of the sport (post-World War II).
No. 1JUAN MANUEL AND RAFAEL MARQUEZ
Juan Manuel Marquez is pictured moments after his greatest punch, the one that stopped rival Manny Pacquiao. AP Photo / Eric Jamison, File
Combined record: 97-16-1 (77 KOs) Major titles won: 9 Hometown: Mexico City Background: Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) demonstrated his ability by competing with all-time great Manny Pacquaio on even terms in their four-fight series, including his one-punch KO in fight No. 4. “Dinamita” went 1-2-1 in those four fights but some believe he deserved to win at least two or three of them. The 2020 Hall of Famer, a master counterpuncher, won seven major titles in four divisions. He is arguably the most-accomplished of the great Mexican trio of himself, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, meaning he’s among the greatest fighters ever from his boxing-crazy country. Rafael Marquez (41-9, 37 KOs) is best known for his four epic battles with Israel Vazquez (2-2) but was accomplished outside that series. He won titles in two divisions and had victories over the likes of Hall of Famer Mark Johnson (twice), Tim Austin and Mauricio Pastrana (twice) before declining as a result of so many exciting ring wars. Many believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. No brother duo ever did it better.
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No. 2WLADIMIR AND VITALI KLITSCHKO
Wladimir (third from left) and Vitali Klitschko ruled the heavyweight division for a decade. Tim Groothuis / Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
Combined record: 109-7 (94 KOs) Major titles won: 7 Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine Background: The Klitschko brothers weren’t blessed with many elite opponents during a so-so heavyweight era but they made the most of their opportunities. Wladimir (64-5, 63 KOs) had some issues with his chin and possibly fitness early in his career – he was stopped by Ross Purity, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster – but then embarked on one of the most-dominating runs in heavyweight history. He held at least one major title from 2006 to 2015, the second longest reign in division history. He ultimately met his match against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua but was past his peak. Vitali (45-2, 41 KOs) proved his mettle in a war with Hall of Famer Lennox Lewis in 2003, losing by stoppage because of a cut. His other loss, which cost him his first title, was the result of an injured shoulder against Chris Byrd. Vitali won a second title after the Lewis setback, left boxing for almost four years because of injuries and then came back and won one more belt. He retired as champion. Vitali is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Wlad is on his way there.
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No. 3MICHAEL AND LEON SPINKS
Leon Spinks celebrates after defeating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight championship in 1978. AP Photo
Combined record: 57-18-3 (35 KOs) Major titles won: 4 Hometown: St. Louis Background: Michael Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs) is probably underappreciated. The Hall of Famer was one of the best light heavyweights of all time, building a perfect record at the weight and reigning as champion for more than four years. He made 10 successful defenses. Among his 175-pound victims: Marvin Johnson, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He then made quick splash after moving up to heavyweight. He dethroned long-reigning champ Larry Holmes in his first fight in the division and then beat him again in the rematch. He made two successful defenses before he was infamously annihilated by Mike Tyson in 90 seconds in 1988. He never fought again. Leon Spinks (26-17-3, 14 KOs) is best known for upsetting 36-year-old Muhammad Ali by a split decision in his eighth pro fight to become heavyweight champion in 1978. He lost a unanimous decision to Ali in the rematch and never did much after that even after moving down to the newly created cruiserweight division. Both Michael and Leon Spinks won gold medals in the 1976 Olympics.
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No. 4KHAOSAI AND KHAOKOR GALAXY
Khaosai Galaxy owned the junior bantamweight division for seven-plus years, April 1986. AP Photo
Combined record: 71-3 (60) Major titles won: 3 Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand Background: The Thai brothers pre-date the Charlos as successful boxing twins. Khaosai (47-1, 41 KOs) was the star. The Hall of Famer, a good boxer known as the “Thai Tyson” because of his power, won his one and only title – at junior bantamweight – by stopping Eusebio Espinal in November 1984 and held it until he retired in 1992, making 19 successful defenses (16 by knockout) along the way. That was the longest reign in division history. Khaosai’s only loss came against Sak Galaxy (no relation) in his seventh pro fight. He won his final 41 bouts. Khaokor Galaxy (24-2, 19 KOs) wasn’t as gifted as his brother but he was good enough to win a bantamweight title twice. He outpointed the accomplished Wilfredo Vazquez to win the belt in 1988, lost it by a technical decision to Sung Kil Moon in his first defense and then regained it by a one-sided decision over Moon in the rematch the following year. Khaokor was stopped by Luisito Espinosa in the first round in his next bout and never fought again.
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No. 5TERRY AND ORLIN NORRIS
Terry Norris (right) counted Sugar Ray Leonard as one of his big-name victims. AP Photo / Charles Rex Arbogast
Combined record: 104-19-1 (61 KOs) Major titles won: 5 Hometown: Lubbock, Texas Background: “Terrible” Terry Norris (47-9, 31 KOs) was one of the best and entertaining fighters of his generation, a quick-handed, athletic boxer-puncher with a crushing left hook and a questionable chin. Norris won four titles during three championship runs at junior middleweight between 1990 and 1997. He suffered brutal knockout losses against Julian Jackson and Simon Brown but avenged the latter setback and beat a who’s who of opponents along the way, including John Mugabi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Donald Curry and Meldrick Taylor. The older Orlin Norris (57-10-1, 30 KOs) was an after thought but also a solid fighter. He won a version of the cruiserweight title when he stopped Marcelo Figueroa in 1993, which made the brothers simultaneous champions. He successfully defended four times before losing his belt to Nate Miller in 1995. He then became a decent heavyweight, perhaps best remembered for his fight with Mike Tyson in 1999. Tyson knocked him down after the bell to end Round 1 and he injured his knee, which made it impossible to continue. The fight was ruled a no-contest.
The five greatest boxing brothers in modern history.
The Charlo twins – Jermall and Jermell Charlo – must already be considered among the greatest boxing brothers of all time.
Jermall, one minute older than Jermell, is a two-division titleholder if you count the secondary middleweight belt he currently holds. Jermell is a two-time junior middleweight titleholder and arguably has a better resume than his sibling.
And, at 30 years old, they are still writing their legacies. They’re scheduled to take part in fights Saturday on pay-per-view that could take them to the next level, Jermall against Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell against Jeison Rosario.
Other sets of boxing brothers have accomplished more as of this moment but stay tuned.
Here is a look at the five greatest brother combinations in the modern history of the sport (post-World War II).
No. 1JUAN MANUEL AND RAFAEL MARQUEZ
Juan Manuel Marquez is pictured moments after his greatest punch, the one that stopped rival Manny Pacquiao. AP Photo / Eric Jamison, File
Combined record: 97-16-1 (77 KOs) Major titles won: 9 Hometown: Mexico City Background: Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) demonstrated his ability by competing with all-time great Manny Pacquaio on even terms in their four-fight series, including his one-punch KO in fight No. 4. “Dinamita” went 1-2-1 in those four fights but some believe he deserved to win at least two or three of them. The 2020 Hall of Famer, a master counterpuncher, won seven major titles in four divisions. He is arguably the most-accomplished of the great Mexican trio of himself, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, meaning he’s among the greatest fighters ever from his boxing-crazy country. Rafael Marquez (41-9, 37 KOs) is best known for his four epic battles with Israel Vazquez (2-2) but was accomplished outside that series. He won titles in two divisions and had victories over the likes of Hall of Famer Mark Johnson (twice), Tim Austin and Mauricio Pastrana (twice) before declining as a result of so many exciting ring wars. Many believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. No brother duo ever did it better.
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No. 2WLADIMIR AND VITALI KLITSCHKO
Wladimir (third from left) and Vitali Klitschko ruled the heavyweight division for a decade. Tim Groothuis / Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
Combined record: 109-7 (94 KOs) Major titles won: 7 Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine Background: The Klitschko brothers weren’t blessed with many elite opponents during a so-so heavyweight era but they made the most of their opportunities. Wladimir (64-5, 63 KOs) had some issues with his chin and possibly fitness early in his career – he was stopped by Ross Purity, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster – but then embarked on one of the most-dominating runs in heavyweight history. He held at least one major title from 2006 to 2015, the second longest reign in division history. He ultimately met his match against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua but was past his peak. Vitali (45-2, 41 KOs) proved his mettle in a war with Hall of Famer Lennox Lewis in 2003, losing by stoppage because of a cut. His other loss, which cost him his first title, was the result of an injured shoulder against Chris Byrd. Vitali won a second title after the Lewis setback, left boxing for almost four years because of injuries and then came back and won one more belt. He retired as champion. Vitali is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Wlad is on his way there.
***
No. 3MICHAEL AND LEON SPINKS
Leon Spinks celebrates after defeating Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight championship in 1978. AP Photo
Combined record: 57-18-3 (35 KOs) Major titles won: 4 Hometown: St. Louis Background: Michael Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs) is probably underappreciated. The Hall of Famer was one of the best light heavyweights of all time, building a perfect record at the weight and reigning as champion for more than four years. He made 10 successful defenses. Among his 175-pound victims: Marvin Johnson, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He then made quick splash after moving up to heavyweight. He dethroned long-reigning champ Larry Holmes in his first fight in the division and then beat him again in the rematch. He made two successful defenses before he was infamously annihilated by Mike Tyson in 90 seconds in 1988. He never fought again. Leon Spinks (26-17-3, 14 KOs) is best known for upsetting 36-year-old Muhammad Ali by a split decision in his eighth pro fight to become heavyweight champion in 1978. He lost a unanimous decision to Ali in the rematch and never did much after that even after moving down to the newly created cruiserweight division. Both Michael and Leon Spinks won gold medals in the 1976 Olympics.
***
No. 4KHAOSAI AND KHAOKOR GALAXY
Khaosai Galaxy owned the junior bantamweight division for seven-plus years, April 1986. AP Photo
Combined record: 71-3 (60) Major titles won: 3 Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand Background: The Thai brothers pre-date the Charlos as successful boxing twins. Khaosai (47-1, 41 KOs) was the star. The Hall of Famer, a good boxer known as the “Thai Tyson” because of his power, won his one and only title – at junior bantamweight – by stopping Eusebio Espinal in November 1984 and held it until he retired in 1992, making 19 successful defenses (16 by knockout) along the way. That was the longest reign in division history. Khaosai’s only loss came against Sak Galaxy (no relation) in his seventh pro fight. He won his final 41 bouts. Khaokor Galaxy (24-2, 19 KOs) wasn’t as gifted as his brother but he was good enough to win a bantamweight title twice. He outpointed the accomplished Wilfredo Vazquez to win the belt in 1988, lost it by a technical decision to Sung Kil Moon in his first defense and then regained it by a one-sided decision over Moon in the rematch the following year. Khaokor was stopped by Luisito Espinosa in the first round in his next bout and never fought again.
***
No. 5TERRY AND ORLIN NORRIS
Terry Norris (right) counted Sugar Ray Leonard as one of his big-name victims. AP Photo / Charles Rex Arbogast
Combined record: 104-19-1 (61 KOs) Major titles won: 5 Hometown: Lubbock, Texas Background: “Terrible” Terry Norris (47-9, 31 KOs) was one of the best and entertaining fighters of his generation, a quick-handed, athletic boxer-puncher with a crushing left hook and a questionable chin. Norris won four titles during three championship runs at junior middleweight between 1990 and 1997. He suffered brutal knockout losses against Julian Jackson and Simon Brown but avenged the latter setback and beat a who’s who of opponents along the way, including John Mugabi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Donald Curry and Meldrick Taylor. The older Orlin Norris (57-10-1, 30 KOs) was an after thought but also a solid fighter. He won a version of the cruiserweight title when he stopped Marcelo Figueroa in 1993, which made the brothers simultaneous champions. He successfully defended four times before losing his belt to Nate Miller in 1995. He then became a decent heavyweight, perhaps best remembered for his fight with Mike Tyson in 1999. Tyson knocked him down after the bell to end Round 1 and he injured his knee, which made it impossible to continue. The fight was ruled a no-contest.
Ak and Barak compare the Charlos brothers’ accomplishments to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and other boxing brothers.
Twins Jermall and Jermell Charlo already are among the best set of boxing brothers in boxing history.
After all, both have won world titles and are generally believed to be among the best in the business. And they’re still writing their legacies. Jermall fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko while Jermell faces Jeison Rosario on a pay-per-view card Saturday.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess compare the Charlos’ accomplishments to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and other boxing brothers.
Here’s what they had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Ak and Barak compare the Charlos brothers’ accomplishments to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and other boxing brothers.
Twins Jermall and Jermell Charlo already are among the best set of boxing brothers in boxing history.
After all, both have won world titles and are generally believed to be among the best in the business. And they’re still writing their legacies. Jermall fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko while Jermell faces Jeison Rosario on a pay-per-view card Saturday.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess compare the Charlos’ accomplishments to Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and other boxing brothers.
Here’s what they had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Here are five fights that could shake up the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list.
The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list could look considerably different in the next few months.
At least 14 of the 20 fighters on our list — the Top 15 and five honorable mentions — are scheduled or expected to fight before the end of the year, several of them before the end of next month.
No. 12 Josh Taylor fights mandatory challenge Apinun Khongsong this coming Saturday in London. On the same day, honorable mention Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final in Munich.
Those at least tentatively set to fight next month: No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (vs. honorable mention Teofimo Lopez), No. 4 Naoya Inoue (vs. Jason Moloney), No. 5 Oleksandr Usyk (vs. Derek Chisora), Juan Carlos Estrada (vs. Carlos Cuadras) and No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (vs. Gervonta Davis).
The rest of the 14 probably will fight before 2021. The remaining six? Several probably will fight early next year while the fate of a few — Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao, for example — is utterly uncertain.
On top of all that, the winners of the two featured fights on the pay-per-view card this Saturday — Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario — will probably get serious pound-for-pound consideration, particularly if they dominate.
So which upcoming matchups are most likely to alter our pound-for-pound list? Here are five that could shake things up.
Gervonta Davis (left, against Jesus Cuellar) will be a handful for Leo Santa Cruz. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) vs. Gervonta Davis (23-0, 22 KOs, Oct. 24: Santa Cruz, who will be defending his 130-pound title, is ranked here and more experienced than Davis but the challenger is naturally bigger, probably more gifted and definitely more explosive. That’s why Davis is around a 2½-to-1 favorite in the fight. Santa Cruz could outwork Davis, as he does against most opponents, but he’ll have his work cut out. Davis most likely will climb onto the list if he wins.
No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) vs HM Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), Oct. 17: Yes, the man on top is in danger of being knocked off. Lomachenko is around a 3-to-1 favorite but don’t let that fool you. The Ukrainian is probably the most-gifted active fighter but, at 32, some believe he’s slipping. If that’s the case, this could be Lopez’s breakthrough victory. The Honduran-American has everything but an abundance of experience. He’s skillful, fast and powerful, and has a nasty streak that fans love. No one will be shocked if Lopez wins.
No. 7 Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) vs. Danny Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), Nov. 21: Spence is around a 5-to-1 favorite, which seems about right. The welterweight titleholder is both talented and naturally bigger than Garcia, who was at his best at 140 pounds. Two things, though. One, Garcia is an elite fighter who has demonstrated over and over again that he knows how to win. And, two, Spence hasn’t fought since his horrific car accident in October. Garcia was a threat to Spence at his best. If he’s not 100 percent? An upset becomes likely.
Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) vs. Jeison Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Sept. 26: Charlo would probably be on the list now if he hadn’t slipped up in his first fight with Tony Harrison. He got his revenge by knockout, though. And he will be impossible to ignore if he can beat this Dominican beast. Rosario doesn’t have a deep resume but he’s coming off a huge upset stoppage of Julian Williams. If he can beat Williams and Charlo back to back, well, he will have demonstrated that he’s one of the best fighters in the world. And it could happen.
Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs), Sept. 26: Briedis proved what he’s made of when he fought Oleksanr Usyk on even terms before losing a razor-thin majority decision in 2018. The Latvian, who can do it all, has since reached the final of the WBSS tournament, stopping Krzysztof Glowacki in the semis. Dorticos is no pushover. The Cuban can box and punch, as his record indicates. A victory over Briedis — around a 2-to-1 favorite — would lift him to star status. And it won’t be shocking if he does.
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No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko is in training for his Oct. 17 fight against Teofimo Lopez. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Terence Crawford
Canelo Alvarez
Naoya Inoue
Oleksandr Usyk
Gennadiy Golovkin
Errol Spence Jr.
Tyson Fury
Juan Francisco Estrada
Mikey Garcia
Artur Beterbiev
Josh Taylor
Manny Pacquiao
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Leo Santa Cruz
Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka
Here are five fights that could shake up the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list.
The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list could look considerably different in the next few months.
At least 14 of the 20 fighters on our list — the Top 15 and five honorable mentions — are scheduled or expected to fight before the end of the year, several of them before the end of next month.
No. 12 Josh Taylor fights mandatory challenge Apinun Khongsong this coming Saturday in London. On the same day, honorable mention Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final in Munich.
Those at least tentatively set to fight next month: No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (vs. honorable mention Teofimo Lopez), No. 4 Naoya Inoue (vs. Jason Moloney), No. 5 Oleksandr Usyk (vs. Derek Chisora), Juan Carlos Estrada (vs. Carlos Cuadras) and No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (vs. Gervonta Davis).
The rest of the 14 probably will fight before 2021. The remaining six? Several probably will fight early next year while the fate of a few — Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao, for example — is utterly uncertain.
On top of all that, the winners of the two featured fights on the pay-per-view card this Saturday — Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario — will probably get serious pound-for-pound consideration, particularly if they dominate.
So which upcoming matchups are most likely to alter our pound-for-pound list? Here are five that could shake things up.
Gervonta Davis (left, against Jesus Cuellar) will be a handful for Leo Santa Cruz. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) vs. Gervonta Davis (23-0, 22 KOs, Oct. 24: Santa Cruz, who will be defending his 130-pound title, is ranked here and more experienced than Davis but the challenger is naturally bigger, probably more gifted and definitely more explosive. That’s why Davis is around a 2½-to-1 favorite in the fight. Santa Cruz could outwork Davis, as he does against most opponents, but he’ll have his work cut out. Davis most likely will climb onto the list if he wins.
No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) vs HM Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), Oct. 17: Yes, the man on top is in danger of being knocked off. Lomachenko is around a 3-to-1 favorite but don’t let that fool you. The Ukrainian is probably the most-gifted active fighter but, at 32, some believe he’s slipping. If that’s the case, this could be Lopez’s breakthrough victory. The Honduran-American has everything but an abundance of experience. He’s skillful, fast and powerful, and has a nasty streak that fans love. No one will be shocked if Lopez wins.
No. 7 Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) vs. Danny Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), Nov. 21: Spence is around a 5-to-1 favorite, which seems about right. The welterweight titleholder is both talented and naturally bigger than Garcia, who was at his best at 140 pounds. Two things, though. One, Garcia is an elite fighter who has demonstrated over and over again that he knows how to win. And, two, Spence hasn’t fought since his horrific car accident in October. Garcia was a threat to Spence at his best. If he’s not 100 percent? An upset becomes likely.
Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) vs. Jeison Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Sept. 26: Charlo would probably be on the list now if he hadn’t slipped up in his first fight with Tony Harrison. He got his revenge by knockout, though. And he will be impossible to ignore if he can beat this Dominican beast. Rosario doesn’t have a deep resume but he’s coming off a huge upset stoppage of Julian Williams. If he can beat Williams and Charlo back to back, well, he will have demonstrated that he’s one of the best fighters in the world. And it could happen.
Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs), Sept. 26: Briedis proved what he’s made of when he fought Oleksanr Usyk on even terms before losing a razor-thin majority decision in 2018. The Latvian, who can do it all, has since reached the final of the WBSS tournament, stopping Krzysztof Glowacki in the semis. Dorticos is no pushover. The Cuban can box and punch, as his record indicates. A victory over Briedis — around a 2-to-1 favorite — would lift him to star status. And it won’t be shocking if he does.
***
No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko is in training for his Oct. 17 fight against Teofimo Lopez. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Terence Crawford
Canelo Alvarez
Naoya Inoue
Oleksandr Usyk
Gennadiy Golovkin
Errol Spence Jr.
Tyson Fury
Juan Francisco Estrada
Mikey Garcia
Artur Beterbiev
Josh Taylor
Manny Pacquiao
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Leo Santa Cruz
Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka
Jermall Charlo will face his biggest test at middleweight when he fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Pay-per-view Division: Middleweight At stake: Charlo’s WBC title Odds: Charlo 1½-1 Also on the card (Part I of PPV): Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vasquez, junior featherweights; John Riel Casimero vs. Duke Micah, bantamweights (for Casimero’s WBO title) Prediction: Charlo UD Background: The main event of the first portion of the pay-per-view card is essentially a 50-50 fight. Charlo has picked up at 160 pounds where he left off at 154 – remaining unbeaten – but he hasn’t faced the same-level of opposition, which changes in this matchup. The complete fighter from Houston beat Austin Trout and Julian Williams at 154, which helped establish him as one of the most-respected fighters in the world. However, since moving up in weight, he has faced Jorge Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan, none of whom provided an adequate test of Charlo’s ability at middleweight. Meanwhile, Derevyanchenko fought the best in the division in two of his last three fights. The Ukrainian pushed both Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin to their limits in losses some believe he did enough to win. In other words, one could argue that he proved more in two losses than Charlo did in five victories at 160. Bottom line: Both fighters are excellent, experienced boxers with power.
Jermell Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a winner-take-all fight on Saturday. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Pay-per-view Division: Junior middleweight At stake: Charlo’s WBC and Rosario’s WBA and IBF titles Odds: Charlo 3½-1 Also on the card: Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights (for vacant WBC title); Daniel Roman vs. Juan Carlos Payano, junior featherweights Prediction: Charlo KO 9 Background: The featured fight in Part II of the pay-per-view show also is a toss-up. Charlo rebounded from a disputed unanimous-decision loss to slick Tony Harrison in December 2018 by stopping Harrison in the 11th round this past December, which allowed him to regain his title. Jermall Charlo’s twin has impressive credentials at 154 pounds, with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, John Jackson, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Harrison, among other notable opponents. Still, Rosario could be his defining fight at the weight. Rosario has blossomed recently under trainer Luis Perez, who introduced the powerful, but raw Domincan to regimentation. The discipline paid off in January, when he stopped talented Julian Williams in five rounds to win two junior middleweight titles. Remember: Williams was coming off a dominating victory over Jarrett Hurd and was considered one of the best in the business. Rosario is big, strong and good. This is an even matchup.
***
JOSH TAYLOR (16-0, 12 KOs)
VS. APINUN KHONGSONG (16-0, 13 KOs)
Josh Taylor took a giant step in his career when he defeated Regis Prograis. Stephen Pond / Getty Images
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: York Hall, London TV: ESPN+ (U.S.), BT Sport (U.K.) Division: Junior welterweight At stake: Taylor’s IBF and WBA titles Odds: Taylor 17-1 Also on the card: Charlie Edwards vs. Kyle Williams, bantamweights; David Oliver Joyce vs. Ionut Baluta, junior featherweights Prediction: Taylor KO 7 Background: Taylor has emerged as a major star the past few years, with victories over Viktor Postol, Ryan Martin, Ivan Baranchyk and, most significantly, Regis Prograis. The victory over Prograis in October, which unified two 140-pound titles, lifted Taylor onto some pound-for-pound lists. The Scot is a superb boxer with good power and sharp ring intelligence. He’s expected to face Jose Ramirez in a massive showdown to unify all four major titles early next year, assuming he wins on Saturday. Khongsong is largely unknown to those in the west. The 24-year-old native of Thailand has fought outside his country only once and that was in Japan. He appears to be a solid, aggressive boxer with heavy hands. His knockout of Akihiro Kondo was particularly striking. Khongsong isn’t shy about engaging with his opponents, which could lead to his demise against a fighter of Taylor’s ability.
Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos for the WBSS championship and a cruiserweight title.
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich TV: Pay-per-view Division: Cruiserweight At stake: Dorticos’ IBF title Odds: Briedis 1½-1 Also on the card: Denis Radovan vs. Robert Talarek, middleweights; Leon Bunn vs. Timo Laine, super middleweights. Prediction: Briedis UD Background: The final of the cruiserweight portion of the World Boxing Super Series, which was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally here. Dorticos, a big puncher from Cuba, bounced back from a knockout loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018 to outpoint Mateusz Masternak in the first round of the tournament and stop Andrew Tabiti in 10 rounds in the semis to win the vacant IBF title in June of last year. Briedis, a polished boxer with power, is Dorticos’ toughest test since Gassiev. The Latvian proved his mettle by fighting Oleksandr Usyk on even terms in a majority-decision loss in 2018. He outpointed Noel Gevor in the first round of the WBSS and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds in the semis to win the WBO title. He lost his belt when he chose to face Dorticos rather than Glowacki, his mandatory challenger, in a rematch.
Jermall Charlo will face his biggest test at middleweight when he fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Pay-per-view Division: Middleweight At stake: Charlo’s WBC title Odds: Charlo 1½-1 Also on the card (Part I of PPV): Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vasquez, junior featherweights; John Riel Casimero vs. Duke Micah, bantamweights (for Casimero’s WBO title) Prediction: Charlo UD Background: The main event of the first portion of the pay-per-view card is essentially a 50-50 fight. Charlo has picked up at 160 pounds where he left off at 154 – remaining unbeaten – but he hasn’t faced the same-level of opposition, which changes in this matchup. The complete fighter from Houston beat Austin Trout and Julian Williams at 154, which helped establish him as one of the most-respected fighters in the world. However, since moving up in weight, he has faced Jorge Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan, none of whom provided an adequate test of Charlo’s ability at middleweight. Meanwhile, Derevyanchenko fought the best in the division in two of his last three fights. The Ukrainian pushed both Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin to their limits in losses some believe he did enough to win. In other words, one could argue that he proved more in two losses than Charlo did in five victories at 160. Bottom line: Both fighters are excellent, experienced boxers with power.
Jermell Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a winner-take-all fight on Saturday. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Pay-per-view Division: Junior middleweight At stake: Charlo’s WBC and Rosario’s WBA and IBF titles Odds: Charlo 3½-1 Also on the card: Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights (for vacant WBC title); Daniel Roman vs. Juan Carlos Payano, junior featherweights Prediction: Charlo KO 9 Background: The featured fight in Part II of the pay-per-view show also is a toss-up. Charlo rebounded from a disputed unanimous-decision loss to slick Tony Harrison in December 2018 by stopping Harrison in the 11th round this past December, which allowed him to regain his title. Jermall Charlo’s twin has impressive credentials at 154 pounds, with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, John Jackson, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Harrison, among other notable opponents. Still, Rosario could be his defining fight at the weight. Rosario has blossomed recently under trainer Luis Perez, who introduced the powerful, but raw Domincan to regimentation. The discipline paid off in January, when he stopped talented Julian Williams in five rounds to win two junior middleweight titles. Remember: Williams was coming off a dominating victory over Jarrett Hurd and was considered one of the best in the business. Rosario is big, strong and good. This is an even matchup.
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JOSH TAYLOR (16-0, 12 KOs)
VS. APINUN KHONGSONG (16-0, 13 KOs)
Josh Taylor took a giant step in his career when he defeated Regis Prograis. Stephen Pond / Getty Images
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: York Hall, London TV: ESPN+ (U.S.), BT Sport (U.K.) Division: Junior welterweight At stake: Taylor’s IBF and WBA titles Odds: Taylor 17-1 Also on the card: Charlie Edwards vs. Kyle Williams, bantamweights; David Oliver Joyce vs. Ionut Baluta, junior featherweights Prediction: Taylor KO 7 Background: Taylor has emerged as a major star the past few years, with victories over Viktor Postol, Ryan Martin, Ivan Baranchyk and, most significantly, Regis Prograis. The victory over Prograis in October, which unified two 140-pound titles, lifted Taylor onto some pound-for-pound lists. The Scot is a superb boxer with good power and sharp ring intelligence. He’s expected to face Jose Ramirez in a massive showdown to unify all four major titles early next year, assuming he wins on Saturday. Khongsong is largely unknown to those in the west. The 24-year-old native of Thailand has fought outside his country only once and that was in Japan. He appears to be a solid, aggressive boxer with heavy hands. His knockout of Akihiro Kondo was particularly striking. Khongsong isn’t shy about engaging with his opponents, which could lead to his demise against a fighter of Taylor’s ability.
Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos for the WBSS championship and a cruiserweight title.
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich TV: Pay-per-view Division: Cruiserweight At stake: Dorticos’ IBF title Odds: Briedis 1½-1 Also on the card: Denis Radovan vs. Robert Talarek, middleweights; Leon Bunn vs. Timo Laine, super middleweights. Prediction: Briedis UD Background: The final of the cruiserweight portion of the World Boxing Super Series, which was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally here. Dorticos, a big puncher from Cuba, bounced back from a knockout loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018 to outpoint Mateusz Masternak in the first round of the tournament and stop Andrew Tabiti in 10 rounds in the semis to win the vacant IBF title in June of last year. Briedis, a polished boxer with power, is Dorticos’ toughest test since Gassiev. The Latvian proved his mettle by fighting Oleksandr Usyk on even terms in a majority-decision loss in 2018. He outpointed Noel Gevor in the first round of the WBSS and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds in the semis to win the WBO title. He lost his belt when he chose to face Dorticos rather than Glowacki, his mandatory challenger, in a rematch.
Bakhram Murtazaliev will step in if either Jermell Charlo or Jeison Rosario has to pull out of their fight on Sept. 26.
Promoters are required to have backup fighters ready to step in at a moment’s notice during these unusual times.
Bakhram Murtazaliev is that backup for the Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario junior middleweight title-unification fight on Sept. 26 in Uncasville, Conn., according to BoxingScene.com.
The Russian contender is training to face Manny Woods (16-9-1, 6 KOs) off TV but would move into the co-feature if one of the fighters tests positive for COVID-19 or has to drop out for another reason.
Even if he doesn’t get his opportunity on the pay-per-view card, it probably will come soon for Murtazaliev (17-0, 13 KOs). He’s the mandatory challenger to Rosario’s IBF 154-pound title, meaning he’ll be first in line to fight the Charlo-Rosario winner for that belt.
Murtazaliev is coming off a one-sided unanimous decision over Jorge Fortea in November, which earned him the mandatory position.
Jermall Charlo faces Sergiy Derevyanchenko in the other co-feature on the card.
