BS.com has learned that the IBF has ordered a middleweight championship elimination match between Tureano Johnson and Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Johnson has until Friday to accept this challenging eliminator or he’ll be dropped from the top spot in the IBF’s 160-pound rankings. If the Bahamas-based boxer agrees to face Ukraine’s Derevyanchenko by Friday, representatives for the No. 1-ranked Johnson (Golden Boy Promotions) and the No. 2-ranked Derevyanchenko (Lou DiBella) will be granted a negotiating period to make a fight that would determine the mandatory challenger for IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs).
This fight will have an interesting back story, because Sergiy Derevyanchenko is an Al Haymon fighter, whilst Tureano Johnson is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s GBP, which means that it’s possible that this bout may not take place (due to political reasons).
God, I hope it takes place. Derevyanchenko will win easily, and I would absolutely hate for Golovkin to defend against an average guy like Johnson. I hope GBP decides to forfeit and have Johnson fight Lemieux instead. Lemieux looks to be being built up more than being put on a title run. Johnson is a good guy for him to have on his resume.
Derevyanchenko could then fight someone in the top 5, but look at who is ranked #3! Both Al Gaymon fighters. Make it happen.
1Tureano Johnson
United States
2Sergiy Derevyanchenko
Ukraine 3Jermall Charlo
United States
The potential Derevyanchenko-GGG fight is the best to be made in the division. Sergiy's body work and love for fighting on the inside could be GGG's undoing. GGG just can't seem to land much of anything in close, other than the uppercut and body shots of his own. Brutal war. The winner will come down to fitness, toughness and who is more prime. A true battle of attrition, or nutrition, whatever Hopkins calls it.
