Boxing
Is Sergiy Derevyanchenko enough of a challenge for Jaime Munguia?
Watch Munguia vs. Derevyanchenko live on DAZN
Sergio Mora believes that Sergiy Derevyanchenko is a tough opponent for Jaime Munguia but the Mexican will need to look for tougher challenges in the future.
His Ukrainian opponent is a seasoned professional and a credible fighter, but former world champion Mora believes the 26-year-old Munguia is coming up against a man in decline.
He told DAZN’s JABS: “Sergiy Derevyanchenko is a very tough fighter. He’s a technician, that’s what they call him. He’s given everyone who fights him competition, nobody stops him. He knows how to fight smart, he’s a strong fighter, he has that amateur pedigree, but he’s 37 years old, he’s lost four of his last six.
“Munguia needs to step up to a quality, feared opponent. We know who they are, they’re unbeaten fighters at middleweight, or if you are going to fight someone with losses: GGG [Gennadiy Golovkin]. But these are tough fights to make, so I get why he’s fighting Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
“On paper, Derevyanchenko is going to be a step-up, and the most dangerous fighter on his resume. But if you delve deeper into those numbers, it’s still the same old type of fighter that Munguia’s been facing: world title challengers, who haven’t been champions. That doesn't cut it, we want this man at 26 years old, undefeated over 40 fights, to take that big step forward. But if those names aren’t available, the [Demetrius] Andres, the Charlos, the Golovkins, then Sergiy Derevyanchenko will do.
“On paper the name is a good name on your resume. Munguia can be the first name to stop him. It's going to be a good look on the resume, and technically the technician will be a good look. But at 37 years old, he’s not going to be the same. It just doesn’t work that way.”
