Both Fighters Lean and Mean:

Jacobs vs Derevyanchenko Superfight:

This Saturday October 27th in New York City, HBO and Matchroom Boxing has a great card lined-up, including a Super Middleweight fight in the Main Event. Miracle Man Daniel Jacobs who not only has big power but is a great boxer, takes on undefeated and #1 ranked -The Technician, Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Ukrainian Derevianchenko also has great power and is considered by many as the future of the middleweight division.

Daniel Miracle Man Jacobs:
Jacobs certainly has the height and length advantage over Derevyanchenko. Jacobs is very capable of boxing from the outside and even thought he wants a KO, we will see Jacobs focus on boxing rather then throw a lot of heavy punches and be power happy; I gather from the conversation we had. He also knows that Derevyanchenko doesn’t have a lot of experience going 12 rounds and wants to take him into deep water because that’s were Derevyanchenko’s weakness may be. Derevyanchenko’s level of competition is no where near the experience Jacobs has. Many athletes now a days train much differently than in the past, using exercises and stretching such as yoga. Jacobs is very up to date about different forms of training. He truly does focus on one fight at a time because he knows that’s really the only way to go in order to take care of business.

Sergiy The Technician Derevyanchenko:
In watching Derevyanchenko working out today, he seems focused and ready for a war. He will have to be aggressively to reach (get to) Jacobs but at the same time not jump in and get caught with something that Jacobs is looking to set up. Jacobs is a very smart boxer, mover and counterpuncher. Derevyanchenko has a great demeanor and assured me that even though he will have butterflies going in, he will not tense up and sap his energy by stressing in the early rounds. He is also very aware of the importance of not falling behind early by giving away the early rounds. Because of Derevyanchenko muscular physique, it will be very interesting to see if he can maintain his Energy and stamina in the later rounds. If he can, he is surely a force to be reckon with.

Before the great middleweight super-fight, Junior Lightweight Champion Alberto Machado will defend the title against Yuandale Evans who is on a four fight winning streak. Machado is trained by Freddie Roach and he looks to be in top shape. Hopefully Evans is ready for The Explosive Man.

Heather Hardy vs Shelly Vincent:
Thankfully HBO changed their mind yesterday and will televise a third fight. In what should be a great rematch, Heather Hardy will fight Shelly Vincent. Their first match was terrific and probably the best women’s boxing contest I have seen. Vincent gave superstar Hardy all she could handle and this rematch will be very exciting and anticipated. Hardy has the height advantage but if Vincent can maintain pressure and stay on the inside (or have the fight in a phone booth or brawl) her short punches will hurt Hardy. Vincent has a very good center of gravity and even though she is the underdog for the fight (and has a suspect chin), I think she can win. I believe Hardy is under estimating Vincent, and she will be surprised Saturday because Vincent is a workhorse.

As HBO shuts the lights off on their boxing division later this year, they have much to be proud of. I can’t wait to watch Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman, Roy Jones Junior and the entire HBO team from The cameramen and set up ring- personal to the guys in the truck do there thing, because they are the best.

Saturday October 27th in NYC, I will be covering the entire event for The Sweet Science (TSS). I am looking forward to a memorable night of boxing.