Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko media conference highlights

WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and Sergiy Derevyanchenko addressed the press during a Zoom media conference ahead of their bout.

PBC and Showtime are putting some hustle behind their PR muscle in the lead up to their Saturday, Sept. 26 boxing pay-per-view doubleheader featuring reigning champion twins Jermell and Jermall Charlo in separate bouts.

WBC middleweight champion Jermall (30-0, 22 KOs) defends his title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) in part one of the pay-per-view event. Both were present during a Monday, Aug. 31, media call, as was FanSided.

Charlo created some social media buzz with the ambiance of his Zoom call. A DeLorean was prominently displayed in the background, which is forever connected to the Back to the Future movie franchise.

Here are the highlights from the media event.

Jermall Charlo quotes

“He lost both of those fights against Gennadiy Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs. Competitive or not, that’s what happened. He’s a warrior, though, and I want him to be sharp so he can give me the best he can give me. This is going to be a real fight, just know that.

“I thought I might need to out-perform Jacobs and Golovkin, but as long as I continue to be myself, I will get the victory, and I’ll have my hand raised. I’m smart, stronger, and better than I used to be. Every fight is a different fight. I let my trainer do the studying, and I’m just focused on what I have to do.

“Everybody is doubting me. I’ve been doubted for years. It’s not anger. I don’t care what my opponent or his trainer says about me. I’m a fighter, and I’m ready for this. I really want to just get in there and fight.

“After this fight, people are going to say that I’m a great fighter. I’m the best in the world. I know Sergiy feels that way too. So we get to clash in the ring. I’m expecting a fight. I haven’t left the gym since February. I’ve been locked in. I wanted this opportunity to get in there and be me.”

Sergiy Derevyanchenko quotes

“My training is progressing,” said Derevyanchenko through an interpreter. “I’ve been in the gym working out, keeping fit, eating healthy, and doing everything that I’m supposed to do. I’m anxiously waiting for Sept. 26. You can expect the same type of fight from me that you saw against Golovkin.

“I’ve had the experience of fighting at this level against the likes of Jacobs and Golovkin, which gave me the confidence and experience of fighting at the highest level. I have supreme, utmost confidence in myself.

“I need to just stick with my game plan. We have a plan in place. I’m going to do what I have to do. If there’s a chance to knock him out, I will knock him out. If it goes 12 rounds, I’ll do the best that I can and show the judges that I am the winner.”

Undercard and fight information

Jermall’s portion on the doubleheader includes two impressive undercard bouts. WBA “regular” super bantamweight champion Brandon Figueroa (20-0-1, 15 KOs) defends his title against Damien Vazquez (15-1-1, 8 KOs). Figueroa wasn’t on the call, but Vazquez was.

“This is all the marbles on the table for me,” said Vazquez in response to a question from FanSided. “I don’t have anything to lose in this fight. I really don’t. This fight changes my life and everybody else’s life around me. I’m going in there with everything I’ve got.”

Also featured is a highly competitive bout between WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs ) and undefeated challenger Duke Micah (24-0, 19 KOs).

“If I get through this fight, I’m still hoping to fight for a bantamweight unification fight,” said Casimero. “That’s my dream. I’m fighting for my daughters and my whole family, so I’m ready to do my best.”

“This is my dream,” said Micah. “This is what I’ve been looking for because I know he’s a good boxer. I’m doing this for me and my family, my daughter and my son. I’ve been trying for a long time. I’m hungry for this. People will see good boxing, and I’m confident that I’ll bring the title back to Ghana. My goal is to be one of the best boxers from Ghana.”

The unique boxing pay-per-view event is weeks away on Saturday, Sept. 26. The portion headlined by Jermall and Derevyanchenko kicks things off at 7 p.m. ET. The second part, starring Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario, will follow later in the night.