Photo Credit: Gary Crow/Premier Boxing Champions
MIAMI — There is another middleweight destroyer rising up the ranks. Sergiy Derevyanchenko cemented himself as a contender and possible future title-challenger to Gennady Golovkin or Canelo Alvarez with a 12th round knockout of Tureano Johnson last night at the Buffalo Run Casino.
Derevyanhenko made the swarming Johnson pay for his aggression by using lateral movement to get heavy hooks and uppercuts around the guard. The Ukranian also varied his offense between light, setup punches inside that lulled Johnson into a false sense of security before unleashing power shots.
The pace was grueling with both men alternating between weary moments, but Derevyanchenko’s superior power wore down Johnson, who was hurt badly in rounds three and eleven before crumbling in the 12th behind a barrage of hooks.
The win was an IBF title eliminator, and the 31-year old feels he’s ready for the winner of Golovkin-Canelo next month.
“I’m ready to fight the winner of Golovkin vs. Canelo for the title,” said Derevyanchenko. “I think Golovkin will win and I look forward to fighting him next.”
The win improves Derevyanchenko’s record to 11-0 (9 KOs).
