ALBERTO MACHADO TO DEFEND WBA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST YUANDALE EVANS

*Daniel Jacobs *(34-2, 29 KOs) and *Sergiy Derevyanchenko* (12-0, 10 KOs)
will clash for the vacant IBF World Middleweight Title and *Alberto
Machado* (20-0,
16 KOs) will defend his WBA Super Featherweight Title against *Yuandale
Evans* (20-1, 14 KOs on Saturday, October 27 at the Hulu Theater from
Madison Square Garden in New York. The doubleheader will be televised live
on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Jacobs, fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y., is in hot form having taken the
unbeaten records of Luis Arias and Maciej Sulecki in his last two outings
at the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island and Barclays Center, Brooklyn
respectively, punctuating his win over Sulecki with a knockdown in the
final session.

The ‘Miracle Man’ is gunning to regain his world champion status having
lost his WBA crown to Kazakh star Gennady Golovkin in a tight unification
tussle in March 2017 in New York, and with Golovkin and Mexican hero Saul
‘Canelo’ Alvarez meeting in a rematch in September, Jacobs is hunting down
the winner.

Derevyanchenko has his own designs on those blockbuster nights though. Born
in Feodosia, Crimea, Ukraine, and now based in Brooklyn, NY, Derevyanchenko
was a touted amateur, compiling an astonishing record of 390-20, as well as
a 23-1 ledger in the World Series of Boxing, and representing Ukraine in
the 2008 Olympics, before turning pro in July 2014. Known as “The
Technician,” Derevyanchenko is fundamentally sound with superb reflexes,
deft defense and devastating power, having stopped 10 of his 12
professional opponents thus far.

In a final IBF eliminator for mandatory status, Derevyanchenko proved he
could carry his power into the later rounds, halting Tureano Johnson in the
12th and final frame of their August 2017 clash. One year earlier,
Derevyanchenko knocked out former world champion Sam Soliman, becoming only
the second man to do so, inside two rounds in July 2016, in an IBF
elimination bout for the #2 ranking. While awaiting his title shot,
Derevyanchenko dusted off the experienced Dashon Johnson in six stanzas in
his last bout on March 3. Co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Fight
Promotions Inc., Derevyanchenko is thrilled that his shot at coronation
will take place in his debut at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing.

Jacobs and Derevyanchenko are familiar foes as they both hone their skills
with trainer Andre Rozier, who will be in Jacobs’ corner and camp for the
bout, but Brooklyn hero Jacobs doesn’t believe that will play a part in
their clash – and predicts a triumphant return to World champion status in
a tough fight. Gary Stark Sr. will take over head trainer responsibilities
for Derevyanchenko as he prepares for his first world championship
opportunity.

Jacobs vs. Derevyanchenko will top a stacked bill in New York as the main
event of a world title double-header. In the co-main event, unbeaten Puerto
Rican star Alberto “El Explosivo” Machadomakes the second defense of his
WBA World Super Featherweight title against Cleveland’s Yuandale Evans in a
12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with
Miguel Cotto Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

Topping the non-televised bill is a rematch of the 2016 women’s fight of
the year as *Heather Hardy* (21-0, 4 KOs) and *Shelly Vincent* (23-1, 1 KO)
renew their rivalry, with the vacant WBO World Featherweight strap on the
line after Hardy edged their fantastic first meeting.

“I’m excited to be back in New York City fighting in my hometown,” said
*Jacobs*. “This opportunity for a world title is one I don’t take lightly
and I’m preparing myself to be in an incredible fight with Sergey
Derevyanchenko. I’ve always felt that I was the best middleweight in the
world with this type of fight I’m that much closer to all the that glory
and to proving to the world I am the best “

“I’m a step away from my dream and I will not miss this chance,” said
*Derevyanchenko*. “From my time in the amateurs to my pro career, this has
been a long time coming for me. I’ve beaten everyone they’ve put in front
of me to earn this shot. Having trained with Danny, I know him very well
and we are friends. However, it will be strictly business in the ring. I
will not be denied. The belt will be mine.”

“I feel excited to make the second defense of my title, but this time
before all of my Puerto Rican brothers in New York,” said *Machado.* “I’m
anxious to get to Los Angeles to start the strong stages of preparation and
solidify myself as a champion for the second time with a convincing win for
all of Puerto Rico. Thank you to HBO for believing in me. Thank you to
Peter Nelson, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. Yuandale
Evans is a great fighter who comes with a lot of hunger after years of
rest. But this time I will go into the ring with extra motivation to reward
all my people in person and those watching at home with a great victory.”

“I want to let Machado know that I am taking the belt home,” said *Evans*.
“Training has been going great and I’ve been doing my homework. Machado is
tall and strong, but he’s never fought a guy like me, who can hit like me.
To fight for a world title at Madison Square Garden is a dream come true. I
am going make the most out of this opportunity. This is my time to shine.”

“One of the saddest things is that in 2016, Shelly and I put on the fight
of the year, and so many people missed it,” said *Hardy*. “We’ve been dying
to do the rematch but under the right circumstances. This is a great time
for women’s boxing and a great event to showcase the rematch – and I’m
going to bring home that title, don’t worry about that.”

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to shoot hoops at MSG – now I’m going to
get to beat Heather’s ass there,” said *Vincent*. “The first fight was
close, I thought I won it, Heather thought she won it, some people thought
I won, some thought she won, some thought it was a draw.

“This time, you are going to see the old ‘Shelito’ – I’ve got more than
just three weeks to get ready, and I think it’ll be a repeat of the first
fight, non-stop punching, and my hands are going to be all over Heather
Hardy like she’s my woman and I’m not leaving without that title.”

“When we started working with Danny, the goal was always to become World
Champion and now the time has come,” said Jacobs’ promoter *Eddie Hearn*.
“This is brilliant match up but I strongly believe on October 27 at MSG
Danny will be crowned champion and add another chapter to this Cinderella
story.

“It’s a powerful triple-header with unbeaten WBA Super-Featherweight
champion Alberto Machado defending his crown against Cleveland contender
Yuandale ‘Money Shot’ Evans and New York’s own Heather Hardy meeting Shelly
Vincent in a rematch of their 2016 Fight if the Year, with the WBO World
Featherweight crown on the line. October 27 will be an electric night in
New York.”

“With over 400 amateur bouts, a trip to the Olympics, and experience in the
World Series of Boxing, Sergiy was adamant with me that he wanted to fight
for a world title against the biggest name available,” said *Lou DiBella*,
President of DiBella Entertainment.
“I’ve known Danny since he was a kid. He is a great fighter in and out of
the ring. Stylistically, this is a can’t-miss action fight. Sergiy studies
his opponents, finds their weaknesses, then breaks them down. That is why
he has such a great chance to win this fight and become the IBF
Middleweight Champion.

“Yuandale Evans has a tremendous opportunity in the co-feature to capture
his first world title against champion Alberto Machado. Coming off the
biggest win of his career, Evans is highly motivated to seize the moment
and perform at his best. Both Machado and Evans can bang and like to brawl,
so this should make for a very entertaining opening bout on HBO.

“Finally, Heather ‘The Heat’ Hardy and Shelly ‘Shelito’s Way’ Vincent will
get the chance to rematch their 2016 Female Fight of the Year. The first
fight was a barnburner, and this promises to be nothing less. The stakes
are higher this time, as both women will compete for the WBO Featherweight
Championship of the World. A World Championship in boxing has been a
lifelong dream for both, and I am thrilled that they will get this
opportunity on October 27.”

“Alberto Machado is determined to prove that he is the best super
featherweight in the world,” said *Oscar De La Hoya*, Chairman and CEO of
Golden Boy Promotions. “He beat a strong champion in Jezreel Corrales and
defended his crown against a tough contender in Rafael Mensah. In both
fight, he used his skills and power to obtain the victory, and I’m positive
he will do the same against Evans before legion of Puerto Rican fans in New
York. I have no doubts he will be recognized as one of the best champions
that Puerto Rico has produced.”

“Alberto Machado is building his own legacy fight after fight,” said *Miguel
Cotto*, President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “He wants to be the best in
his division and is hungry for the big challenges. He has the best
opportunity to showcase his skills in front of his Puerto Rican brothers at
The Garden in New York.”

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