On Saturday in Madison Square Garden, Gennadiy Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) faces Sergiy Derevvyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) in his first real test since his controversial loss to Canelo Alvarez last year. Can GGG get past the well rounded and disciplined Ukrainian, or at 37 years old is time starting to catch up with the Kazakh knockout artist?
Golovkin has made some changes since the Canelo fight, leaving long-time coach Abel Sanchez for Johnathon Banks, mostly known for coaching Wladimir Klitschko following Emmanuel Stewards’ passing. In his first fight with Banks, a 4th round KO over Steve Rolls, Golovkin showed a more defensive style reminiscent of his early pro career and amateur days.