A lot at stake this Saturday night as Gennady Golovkin and Sergiy Derevyanchenko throw hands

For Gennady Golovkin, it’s a shot at being called champion again. For Sergiy Derevyanchenko, it’s a chance to capture world championship honors.

They’re scheduled to do battle October 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

A lot is on the line. It’s conceivable that Derevyanchenko,33, could be the hungrier fighter. He first came to prominence 12 years ago when he captured a bronze medal at the AIBA world boxing championships. He followed that with an appearance at the 2008 Olympic games. A few years later, he competed in the World Series of Boxing, winning 23 of 24 fights.

Since turning professional in 2014, Derevyanchenko has lost only once in 14 fights, scoring 10 knockouts. His lone setback came last year when he dropped a split decision to former sparring partner, and world champion, Danny Jacobs. Derevyanchenko suffered a knockdown in the first round, but got up and rallied, only to fall short on the scorecards.

Golovkin,37, is sick and tired of talking about Canelo Alvarez. Can’t really blame him. He lost a (very) debatable decision and his title belts to Alvarez last September in a rematch of their first fight, also controversial, that was ruled a draw.

The so-called loss seemed to drain some of the life out of Golovkin. He was a little over 30 when he invaded the United States seven years ago. He had toiled away for years in Europe, winning a title (in Russia) that few respected. He then became something of a folk hero with more titles, due to his modest ways and heavy hands. He went awry when he lost to Alvarez.

It wasn’t fair, but boxing rarely is. When Golovkin fought Alvarez for the first time in 2017, it had been obvious for a while that he was slipping. Nobody beats Mother Nature - except perhaps Archie Moore, and Bernard Hopkins.  

Never the fastest fighter anyway, Golovkin looked to have lost a step. What he hadn’t lost was his heart, as he showed in the 12^th and final round against Alvarez in the rematch. I had him winning the first fight, and ruled the second fight a draw.

Golovkin stepped away from the sport, and followed Alvarez’s example by signing a six-fight, $100 million deal with the sports streaming service, DAZN.

Then he rocked the boxing world when he and long-time trainer, Abel Sanchez, parted ways over money.

Golovkin, with new trainer Johnathon Banks by his side, returned to the ring wars three months ago – stopping Canadian Steve Rolls in four rounds.

Derevyanchenko decisioned Jack Culcay last April in what turned out to be a title eliminator. Motivation won’t be a problem for the Ukrainian native this Saturday night. He’s wanted to fight Golovkin for a couple of years.

It’s expected that he’ll be in the best shape of his fighting life.

Golovkin might not be as hungry as Derevyanchenko, but he’s loaded with pride. He wants one of his belts back. Golovkin is the betting favorite, but Derevyanchenko is a live underdog. He’s durable and can punch a little. If Golovkin has lost another step, Derevyanchenko could trip him up.

But I’m not buying that. I see a competitive fight, with Golovkin using his educated jab and working the body. Derevyanchenko will hang tough, but eventually wilt late or lose the fight by decision.