Provodnikov stops Popopca

By Jim Dower: Fringe light welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (19-1, 12 KOs) had to battle hard to defeat Ivan Popopca (15-1-1, 10 KOs) by an 8th round TKO on Friday night in a fight that was shown on ESPN2 from the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. Provodnikov dropped Popopca in the 8th, and the fight was stopped shortly after that.

Earlier in the fight, Provodnikov and Popopca battled back and forth with each giving up rounds in a very close fight. Although Provodnikov seemed to be landing the harder shots, Popopca wasn’t bothered in the least with Provodnikov’s power until the 8th. The fight was halted by referee Pat Russell at 2:15 of the 8th.

In other action on the card, super featherweight contender Marvin Quintero (22-3, 18 KO’s) stopped Juan Santiago (13-7-1, 8 KO’s) in the third round. Quintero had for too much for Santiago, and blasted him out with a series of big shots in the third while Santiago futilely attempted to cover up along the ropes. It was a good win for Quintero, who is trying to come back from a disappointing 2nd round TKO loss to Daniel Attah last year in November.

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