It’s only been official for a few hours, but two undercard fights are already in the works for Gennadiy Golovkin’s October 5th IBF title fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Mike Coppinger reports that Ivan Baranchyk vs. Gabe Bracero and Charles Conwell vs. Patrick Day are “being finalized” for the Madison Square Garden show.
One fight figures to be a fair bit more competitive than the other. Super lightweight Baranchyk (19-1, 12 KO) had a solid run in the World Boxing Super Series, pummeling Anthony Yigit in the quarters before losing a clear-but-competitive decision to Josh Taylor in May. The 38-year-old Bracero (25-3-1, 6 KO) is a decent fighter, but generally falls short against higher-level competition, including “Chop-Chop” Corley, Felix Diaz Jr., and Paulie Malignaggi. He’s never been stopped, though, and figures to at least be durable enough to give “The Beast” a good scrap.
Conwell (10-0, 7 KO) fell to recent Top Rank signee Vikas Krishan in the opening round at Rio, but has enjoyed a smooth prospect run as a pro. Day (17-3-1, 6 KO) gave another top 154-pound prospect, Carlos Adames, a stiff challenge in June and should be a good litmus test for the 21-year old.