Gennadiy 'GGG' Golovkin claims vacant IBF middleweight title after going 12 rounds with Sergiy Derevyanchenko

The Kazakhstani admitted it had been ‘a tough fight’ after he was crowned champion with scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 115-112

Gennady Golovkin celebrates winning the IBF middleweight title (AP)

Gennadiy Golovkin has claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title in New York after defeating Sergiy Derevyanchenko across 12 rounds by unanimous decision.

The Kazakhstani admitted it had been "a tough fight" after he was crowned champion with scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 115-112.

It was just the second fight back for Golovkin since he lost a unified title rematch to Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas in September last year.

Ukrainian Derevyanchenko controlled the first 75 seconds of the round one, but was then felled by an inside uppercut.

He upped his productivity and the fight became a close brawl. Both seemed to run out of juice by the 12th with the judges giving it to Triple G.

PA