Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Kemahl Russell tonight

Boxingnews24.com

By Jeff Aranow: Undefeated 2008 Ukrainian Olympian Sergiy Derevyanchenko (9-0, 7 KOs) faces undefeated Kemahl Russell (10-0, 8 KOs) tonight on Premier Boxing champions on Fox Deportes at the Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. The 31-year-old Derevyanchenko is ranked #2 IBF, #5 WBC, #14 WBO at middleweight. Derevyanchenko is moving up quickly in the 160lb division, and he should be soon getting a title shot.

The bad news is that Gennady Golovkin holds most of the world titles at middleweight, and Derevyanchenko’s style of would be made to order for him. Derevyanchenko would stand a better chance against WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders or WBA World middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs. Getting fights against either of those guys won’t be easy for Derevyanchenko.

The Derevyanchenko-Russell fight is scheduled for 10 rounds tonight. This should be a good test to see what Derevyanchenko can do with his career. His last fight against 43-year-old Sam Soliman didn’t tell us much because of the advanced age and knee problems the Australian fighter has. Now if Derevyanchenko had fought Soliman 7 years ago when he was still in his prime, we could have learned something about how good he is. Fighting Soliman with him old and hobbled by a bad knee, it wasn’t a good indicator of how good he is.

The 27-year-old Russell has won all of his fights since turning pro in 2013, but he still hasn’t fought anyone of quality. He might be out of his league a little with him having fought mainly novices and fighters with poor records. Going from fighting the guys that Russell has been fighting to facing a fighter with the kind of pedigree that Derevyanchenko has going for him is going to be a very big leap up in competition tonight.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the ring and I’m determined to put on a great performance for all the fans watching,” said Derevyanchenko. “I know that I’m facing a tough, undefeated fighter with power, but I’m very close to a world title opportunity and no one will stop me from achieving my dream.”

Also on tonight’s card is undefeated light heavyweight knockout artist Ahmed Elbiali (14-0, 11 KOs) battling it out with journeyman Jackson Junior (20-8, 18 KOs) in an eight round affair. Junior, 31, has lost 2 out of his last 4 fights. The 26-year-old Elbiali has recent wins over Andrew Hernandez, Mariano Hilario and Fabiano Pena.

In other undercard fights, undefeated welterweight prospect Jamontay Clark (10-0, 6 KOs) will be fighting 29-year-old Gaku Takahashi (15-6-1, 7 KOs) in an 8 round fight. This fight has mismatch written all of it, Clark, 22, is a prospect with a good future head of him. He’s shined in winning his first 10 fights. Clark recently beat Edgar Ortiez and Elvin Perez. In facing Takashi tonight, Clark will be fighting a durable guy with a good chin. Takashi recently went the full 8 round distance with light welterweight contender Adrian Granados in 2015.