20/20 Hindsight and the
Derevyanchenko Miscalculation
By William Trillo
If the reports are true, Sergey Derevyanchenko was summoned to the Golden Boy offices only days before the fight with their last meal ticket possession, Jaime Munguia. The reason was simple, Golden Boy wanted the scheduled twelve round fight to be changed to a ten rounder and they were willing to pay a hefty six figure sum to buy their fighter, (so to speak), a six-minute break. Obviously there was concern in the Munguia camp that for whatever reason, their fighter wasn’t ready for a fight that included those crucial Championship rounds.
The proud Ukrainian, who has come up on the wrong side of some very questionable decisions in the past, felt this was the fight he was going to prove everyone wrong and show that even at 38 years old he was still a force to be reckoned with. He was confident he would get the win and turned down the lucrative offer.
As we know, the fight is already in the running for Fight Of The Year. Over the span of the first ten rounds Derevyanchenko was giving Mungia fits. Numerous times Munguia was rocked and in real trouble. In fact, when looking at the official scorecard, after ten rounds Derevyanchenko was winning be a close majority decision.
Then, as if Father Time had seen enough, Derevyanchenko’s legs turned into rubber in round eleven and he never got them back. A wicked body shot from Munguia put him down, but he was somehow able to collect himself to last the twelve round distance.
But in those two final rounds, the ones Munguia’s management was trying to buy away, the fighter from Mexico came on strong and in the end was awarded the unanimous decision victory. That’s why they make ‘em fight.
One can only assume it’s going to be a long plane fight home for Derevyanchenko. Had he taken the payoff not only would he coming home a winner, but he would also have an extra six figure amount in his wallet. Ouch!
Not to be forgotten in all this is what Munguia might be thinking right now? Did his team act on his behalf earlier in the week or was their lack of confidence in the fighter somewhat of a slap in the face? Whatever the case may be, Munguia proved his naysayers wrong as he gutted out an impressive victory.
For Munguia, who has been often criticized for his lack of stiff competition, this win should wipe that slate clean.
For Derevyanchenko, this loss will be tough to swallow. Considering he is in the twilight of his career, this could be the end. How many more tough losses can he take at the hands of the judges?
Truthfully, we can put down all the “robbery” talk. It was a close fight that could have gone either way, unless of course Derevyanchenko took that bribe, then we would be having another conversation. But…
Check out www.Pound4Pound.com for all the latest boxing news.
