Once deemed an illustrious boxing prospect, Ukrainian boxer Derevyanchenko is on a mission to reclaim his place in the spotlight. Despite a series of defeats at the hands of the middleweight division’s elites, Derevyanchenko’s swift comeback culminated in a decisive victory over Joshua Conley. Now, on June 10th, at the Toyota Arena in California, the boxer gears up to take on Jaime Munguia, an event that could dramatically shape the trajectory of his career.
Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations, tirelessly honing his craft under the tutelage of Andre Rozier. Nevertheless, the stakes have never been higher for the Ukrainian boxer, who fears that another defeat could potentially mark his final time standing under the glare of boxing’s limelight. When asked if this could be his last big run, Derevyanchenko simply said, “I think yea.”
On the other side of the ring, Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs), although a highly-ranked contender, has faced criticism over the caliber of opponents he’s confronted since stepping onto the world scene. Even his staunchest supporters raised eyebrows over his choice of adversaries in 2022. Nevertheless, his victories over D’Mitrius Ballard, Jimmy Kelly, and Gonzalo Coria underlined the necessity of facing more formidable 160-pounders.
With his career at a critical juncture, 37-year-old Derevyanchenko is set to seize this opportunity against Munguia. Despite the oddsmakers giving him essentially no chance, Derevyanchenko recognizes the magnitude of the upcoming fight, understanding that a win could resurrect his championship aspirations. “This is important. Important for my career. If I win this fight, my career will shoot up,” says Derevyanchenko, with eyes set firmly on victory.
Image Credit: DAZN