Golovkin narrowly beats Derevyanchenko on points as GGG reclaims IBF world middleweight title on points

GENNADY GOLOVKIN is world champion again, but he was pushed all the way by a resilient Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The Kazakh phenom, 37, claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title after a close points win over Derevyanchenko at Madison Square Garden in New York.

GGG reclaimed the belt he once owned during his eight year reign as unified champion, but was hurt during the bout and forced to battle until the final bell.

After becoming champion again, almost a decade removed from his first world title win, Golovkin said: “He did a great job,I respect his team.

“I told you he’s very tough guy this is huge experience for me. I understand, I need more.

“More focussed boxing, after the first round I thought this was an easy fight for me, no, it was a tough fight.

“Right now I think it’s a bad day for me. It’s a huge experience for me. Right now I know what I need.”

It looked destined to be another GGG walkover Stateside after round one, when Derevyanchenko was bashed to the canvas.

After a succession of left hands landed by Golovkin, a trademark chopping hook flattened his Ukrainian opponent.

Though Derevyanchenko, 33, defended well for the remainder to keep his second world title challenger alive, having lost to Daniel Jacobs for the same IBF belt last year.

But by round three the momentum swung, finally, 42 fights into his pro career, Golovkin looked like he was no longer made of Eastern European steel.

Derevyanchenko visibly hurt Triple G with hooks to the body, forcing the 37-year-old to retreat backwards.

In rounds four and five Golovkin could do nothing but cover up as a barrage of attacks swarmed his rib cage, even forcing the Kazakh to wince in pain, much to the disbelief of those ringside at MSG.

By the midway stage Golovkin regained his form and began to pump out his meaty jab and hammered home short, but scoring hooks.

Both men took turns to lead the attacks in the following rounds, with neither taking full control and refusing to give each other even a second of breathing space.

In round ten, sensing his momentum may be slipping away Derevyanchenko charged at GGG, and at 37 Golovkin barely managed battle his way out of the adversity.

Triple G saw a right hook ping off his temple at the end of tenth which inspired him to land an early flurry of hooks in round 11, though Derevyanchenko was on hand to respond.

In the 12th and final round GGG showed why he was unbeaten for 39 fights and 12 years as he pushed the pace.

Fighting in close quarters Golovkin was scoring with his short hooks and jabs when he needed it most, and despite a late fight back by Derevyanchenko, Triple G was awarded the verdict.

Having seen a trilogy bout with bitter rival Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fall through earlier in the year, Golovkin admitted after the close points win that his focus was disoriented heading into his New York clash.

GGG said: “Right now I think it’s a bad day for me. It’s a huge experience for me. Right now I know what I need.

“I lost a little bit of focused after first round, I thought it was going to be an easy fight for me.

“I need to stay strong in my camp and be more serious.

“Absolutely I still want Canelo, I’m just open to anybody. There are so many great champions here.

‘Sergiy, a lot of guys. Everything is ready, just call Canelo. If he says yes, let’s do it.”