American based and Russian born Ruslan Provodnikov returns to the ring next on June 11th against John Molina Jr.
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Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) is a former WBO Junior Welterweight Champion, a come forward pressure fighter that possess respected punching power, stamina, heart as well as a great chin. Ruslan can take punishment unlike any other fighter.
Provodnikov won’t back down from any fight that is given to him he has fought Timothy Bradley, Mike Alvarado, Chris Algieri, José Luis Castillo, Lucas Matthysse to name a few and he has called out many more to fight him, Ruslan wants the best in the junior welter and welterweight divisions, win or lose his fights are always entertaining.
Provodnikov lost a close controversial unanimous decision to Bradley in 2013. Provodnikov staggered his opponent and after the fight ended Bradley said he was concussed by shots and also urinated blood. The fight was named “2013 Fight of the Year” by Ring Magazine.
Also in 2013, Provodnikov put on an impressive display against Mike Alvarado with the WBO Junior welterweight belt on the line. Provodnikov defeated Alvarado by 10th round stoppage knocking him down twice in the eighth round. Alvarado didn’t come out for the eleventh round.
Next up was Chris Algieri, Ruslan knocked Algieri down in the first round. Despite scoring two knockdowns, Provodnikov lost the fight by another controversial decision (clip via HBO):
The Siberian Rocky demolished two time world champion Mexican legend Jose Luis Castillo in five rounds, in his home country.
One of the biggest hyped fights of 2015 was Matthysse vs Provodnikov and it lived up to the billing.
Ruslan once again showed heart and that great chin as he took hard shots from Matthysse. The fight was nominated for the Ring Magazine fight of the year.
The Siberian Rocky is like a throw back from the dark ages of boxing. A part of his boxing that could improve is his defence, even though some times the lack of it makes the fights exciting, but there is only so many times a fighter can take that type of punishment.
Ruslan’s trainer Joel Diaz has recently said:
“He is working on defense and body punches, it will take a couple of fights to get him to where I want.”
There was talk of Bob Arum planning to put Terence Crawford in the ring with Provodnikov. Yet again Ruslan wont back down from a challenge posting on his Twitter page “@budcrawford402 let’s do it! You actually have been defending my title!”.
But this fight hasn’t materialised so maybe that is one for late 2016.
Former world title challenger John Molina Jr 28-6 22KOs will be facing off against Provodnikov next June 11th at The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. I see this as a great fight and opportunity for Ruslan. Molina himself is an offensive fighter and was in the “2014 Fight of the Year” when he fought Matthysse.
This is going to be another toe to toe war and could be a contender for the 2016 list.
I suggest you don’t look at the four loses on his record and go back and watch the fights to make your own mind up about the results.
Ruslan Provodnikov could become world champion once again before his career ends, but for his style and never say quit attitude, he will always be the people’s champion.
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