Middleweight contender Sergiy "The Technician" Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, was victorious this past Saturday night against Germany's Jack Culcay (25-4, 13 KOs) in Minneapolis, MN. He won by unanimous decision, and scores for the bout were 116-112 (twice) and 115-113.  The victory earned Derevyanchenko, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc., the status of mandatory challenger for the IBF middleweight title, which is currently held by Daniel Jacobs. On October 27, 2018, the former Ukrainian amateur standout lost a hard-fought twelve-round decision to Jacobs for the vacant title at Madison Square Garden.  With Jacobs now headed to a middleweight unification showdown against world champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on May 4th, Derevyanchenko is looking to make a quick return fighting any of the top middleweights [as opposed to waiting around for an uncertain IBF title shot].

 

"I felt very good against Culcay; he was a very tough opponent, but I prevailed by listening to my corner and staying focused," said Derevyanchenko. "I'm going to take just a short time off and return to the gym. My focus is staying active and fighting the best in the middleweight division. My fight versus Danny Jacobs proved I can compete with anyone. Now it is time to win a world championship."

 

"Sergiy defeated a very game Jack Culcay on Saturday and proved that he remains one of the best middleweights in the world," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "With the win, he is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title, and we will continue to seek out the biggest and best opportunities for Sergiy to compete against the elite of the middleweight division ASAP."