It’s been a mellow, if not slow, build up to one of the biggest fights left on the boxing calendar in 2018. Daniel Jacobs (34-2, 29 KOs) will be taking on one of the rising stars in not just the Middleweight division, but in the entire sport in Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0, 10 KOs).
But unlike other high-stakes fights, there hasn’t been your typical back and forth between two fighters ready to take each other out.
There’s no bad blood between the two and neither has a bad word to say about the other. It’s mainly, if not solely because these two guys have known each other for so long. They have helped each other in numerous training camps and have really developed a bond and friendship.
Media workouts were almost an intimate occasion. Not many people were there and neither fighter had much to say. They both however looked incredibly sharp and ready to go. Being fully prepared won’t be an issue for either man.
During their actual media day they kept everything pretty low key and mild mannered as well.
“I’m very glad to be here at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden,” said Derevyanchenko as he addressed the media along with several star studded spectators including legendary former boxer Miguel Cotto, Hall Of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and other. “My camp and team did a tremendous job. We did a lot of sparring. Thank you to Danny Jacobs for taking this fight. This will be a big war and the belt will leave with me.”
That was about as animated as Derevyanchenko would get. The respect between these two is extremely high and the difficulties of fighting someone he is so close to were expressed by Jacobs.
“Even though it will be bitter sweet because we’ve known each other for some time. Sparring partners. Gary (Sergiy’s trainer) was a former trainer of mine. So to see these guys on the opposite side of the ring come fight night it’s going to be bittersweet,” said Jacobs.
“We have all known each other for a very, very long time so it’s almost as if we’re family. You’re not going to want to miss this fight. It’s going to be a stellar fight, competitive fight. This guy has tremendous skills and you guys know that I bring everything I have inside that square ring. You guys are not going to want to miss this card.”
The press conferences and build up to this fight may have been a bit lackluster, but the actual fight will be anything but. This is a matchup of some of the very best that the Middleweight division has to offer.
Watch the HBO World Championship Boxing tripleheader tomorrow night from the Hulu Theater from Madison Square Garden starting at 10:00 pm, EST.
All photos by Brant Wilson/Round By Round Boxing
