By Matt Lieberman: Gennady Golovkin says he wants a unification fight for his next bout if he’s successful in defeating Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant IBF middleweight title this Saturday on DAZN.
Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) says he’s ready to put together a “business” fight against the biggest name possible. Although he’d like it to be Saul Canelo Alvarez, he’s willing to take the next biggest fight available.
During today’s workout in New York, Golovkin was asked if he would like to fight one of the following fighters next:
- Demetrius Andrade
- Jermall Charlo
- Billy Joe Saunders
- Callum Smith
To each one, GGG gave a collective ‘yes.’ However, just which one Golovkin will face is the big question.
Golovkin must win his fight against the crafty and highly skilled Derevyanchenko, 33, this Saturday night on DAZN at Madison Square Garden in New York.
GGG says this could be Derevyanchenko’s last chance
“It’s the same school,” GGG said to secondsout when told Derevyanchenko resembled him during the workout. “For him it’s maybe his last chance. We have a new idea. I want to show you on Saturday night. Not right now. It’s not so friendly. I know him a couple of times, I remember. He was good. I have a great team,” said Gennady.
If Derevyanchenko views this fight as his last chance to win a world title, and set himself up for life with a big payday against Canelo Alvarez, then he’s going to fight hard. Golovkin can’t afford to be at least than 100% against Derevyanchenko. In GGG’s last fight against Steve Rolls, he looked like he was in 1st gear for rounds 1 through 3.
Golovkin cannot let Derevyanchenko get any kind of momentum in this fight, because he’s fighting at home in New York. The crowd could encourage Derevyanchenko to fight even harder, and that would be bad for Golovkin. Derevyanchenko’s chances of winning a decision are good if he can out-box and outwork Golovkin.. He’s not going to knockout Golovkin, as he’s not that kind of a puncher.
Golovkin: If I beat Derevyanchenko, I want unification
“Right now is a good time for a business deal,” said Golovkin. “Come on, guys. I’m open. My focus right now is 100% on Derevyanchenko. If I beat him, I want unification. I want big names. And I want a lot.
“Every fight for me is like a championship fight. I feel like a champion. I’m excited. I want. I’m hungry. I have six fights. Every fight is important for me, and I want bigger, bigger and bigger. Step by step. I want big fight. I want big name,” said Golovkin.
Golovkin was talking of wanting a unification fight today, but it’s hard to imagine him wanting to fight WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade or WBC champion Jermall Charlo. Those two fighters are belt holders, and lack the popularity for Golovkin to bring in a lot of fans for fights against them. Golovkin’s promoter Eddie Hearn likely won’t push him to fight Andrade, even though he promotes him. It’s a bad style for GGG, and there’s no interest from casual boxing fans in seeing that fight.
Hearn wants Golovkin to fight Saunders. That’s easily the #1 guy that is on Hearn’s list for Golovkin if he can’t get the Canelo fight. #2 would be Daniel Jacobs. Hearn promotes him too, and he would like to put together a rematch against GGG. Golovkin beat Jacobs by a close 12 round decision in 2017.
The closest thing Golovkin can come to fight a big name would be for him to face one of these names:
- Callum Smith
- David Benavidez
- Billy Joe Saunders
- Daniel Jacobs
- Dmitry Bivol
- Artur Beterbiev
- Oleksandr Gvozdyk
Thank you to the fans of #TeamGGG – you came out in full force for today’s public workout. I have the best fans! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/N5rLNHaRcS
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) October 1, 2019
