Boxing Coverage on Sherdog.comBoxing: Derevyanchenko to Meet Soliman in PBC on ESPN Card July 21
Unbeaten middleweight prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko will take on
the biggest test of his young professional career on July 21 when
he fights former IBF 160-pound champion Sam Soliman in a
10-rounder. Premier Boxing Champions announced that the fight will
headline the next PBC on ESPN card, which will occur at Foxwoods
Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) repped his native Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics and has looked fabulous in the pro ranks thus far. He’s already conquered solid veterans Elvin Ayala and Alan Campa and is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Mike Guy in March. But Soliman poses an entirely different threat; the Aussie has taken on the best of the best at and around the middleweight division for years.
“I'm excited about this opportunity to headline against an
experienced former champion,” said Derevyanchenko. “Soliman has
accomplished a lot, but right now he is standing in the way of me
being a world champion. You will see the best version of me on July
21 and I will show why I am a dangerous fighter in this
division.”
Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs) has shared the ring with such foes as Jermain Taylor, Anthony Mundine, Sakio Bika, “Winky” Wright and Raymond Joval. He challenged for a share of the super middleweight world title twice before dropping down to 160, where he toppled Felix Sturm to capture his first-ever world championship. Soliman lost it to Taylor in his first defense and is coming off a split-decision loss to Dominic Wade last June. He knows time is running out and he must win this fight in order to remain relevant in the sport.
“This is a crossroads fight so I am leaving nothing to chance and will do every bit of training needed to win this fight,” said Soliman. “We are both fighting for world title position and I know Sergiy will fight hard for this win. This all makes it a great contest.”
Also slated for the marquee is a middleweight showdown between young knockout artist Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs), also an Olympian, and Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs), also slotted for 10 rounds.
Televised coverage will begin on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. A full undercard will be announced soon.
Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) repped his native Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics and has looked fabulous in the pro ranks thus far. He’s already conquered solid veterans Elvin Ayala and Alan Campa and is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Mike Guy in March. But Soliman poses an entirely different threat; the Aussie has taken on the best of the best at and around the middleweight division for years.
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Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs) has shared the ring with such foes as Jermain Taylor, Anthony Mundine, Sakio Bika, “Winky” Wright and Raymond Joval. He challenged for a share of the super middleweight world title twice before dropping down to 160, where he toppled Felix Sturm to capture his first-ever world championship. Soliman lost it to Taylor in his first defense and is coming off a split-decision loss to Dominic Wade last June. He knows time is running out and he must win this fight in order to remain relevant in the sport.
“This is a crossroads fight so I am leaving nothing to chance and will do every bit of training needed to win this fight,” said Soliman. “We are both fighting for world title position and I know Sergiy will fight hard for this win. This all makes it a great contest.”
Also slated for the marquee is a middleweight showdown between young knockout artist Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs), also an Olympian, and Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs), also slotted for 10 rounds.
Televised coverage will begin on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. A full undercard will be announced soon.
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