Jacobs vs Derevyanchenko - style, guile and the hunt for Alvarez

Background: On October 27 at MSG and HBO its Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko vs. Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, middleweights.

If the fight itself blows, which is unlikely, it’s remarkable just the same.  HBO has shockingly exited boxing but had a commitment to telecast this bout, their last.  Remember - it was boxing that built the huge monolith HBO eventually became. HBO has boxing and Mike Tyson in particular to thank for their unprecedented success.  Mind-blowing.  Any good?  Yes, I’ll never have to hear Max Kellerman’s absurdly off kilter commentary, again.

Daniel Jacobs has no love I’d guess for Russia or its former republics, having failed versus GGG, a Kazakh and being stopped by Russian Dmitry Pirog. Jacobs, a truly great guy, of course defeated a deadly form of cancer so this boxing stuff – nah, he can take it. 

Derevyanchenko, on the other hand is still pretty new to professional boxing after a shockingly lengthy amateur career during which he went 390-20! In my opinion, at 32, he’s been brought along far too slowly as a pro – but that’s boxing.

Fighter’s Report Cards: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Daniel Jacobs: B B+ B B B- B+ B+ (Average of all) B (3.1)

Sergei Derevyanchenko: B B B B- B- B B+ (Average of all) B (3.0)

Reality Check: On paper, Jacobs would seem to have all the advantages both physical – reach and height – and just plain talent.  As boxing has come to learn however, these Russians can really fight.  What I like about Derevyanchenko is his deceptive hand speed- he looks slow, his opponents state otherwise.  What I don’t like is the fact that he’s pedestrian and predictable. Sure, he’s got all the fundamentals cold but he does nothing exceptionally well.  Needs to move his head far more…He’s a craftsman without great foot movement, who hits hard with both hands, is fit and vastly experienced. Plus, he’s hungry.

Jacobs is a very concussive counterpuncher who himself, while no Sugar Ray, has better movement than the Ukrainian. He’s the better athlete by far. Jacobs has a very fast jab – when he uses it, and excellent power.  He’s quite a complete package – except, he needs to move his head more. What I don’t like about Jacobs is that he simply gets hit, too hard, too often, for his own good. 

The DAZN deal has changed the boxing landscape. It provided the means for Canelo Alvarez, a recent ‘victor’ over GGG, to escape to super middle because guys like Derevyanchenko and Jacobs are nightmarish opponents. “It’s who you know,” is so true in boxing today, that Alvarez may never face a dangerous foe again.  Eddie Hearn and DAZN, in paying Alvarez a guaranteed 34 million a fight, have bought control of the strings, too.  This means that Jacobs, who surely wants Alvarez, may have to jump a division to do so.  Or fight a catch-weight.  A dangerous guy like Derevyanchenko may never get a shot at any weight as relatively few know him. The green roads lead to Canelo, and he will be extended every conceivable advantage versus the opponents who somehow, manage to get in a ring with him.

Fight and Prediction: I see a lot of back and forth boxing and plenty of hard shots from both hands landed by both fighters. Don’t forget this intangible: These guys know each other very well. They sparred tons of rounds last year. Witnesses said the sparring was competitive. Neither are spring chickens, both must look good to “land a DAZN,” so I expect a damn good fight. Jacob’s outrageous rehydration after weigh-ins will be huge factor in a victory that his vastly superior reach, almost guarantees. Knockdowns either way could occur. 

Jacobs decision 12 Derevyanchenko.