Provodnikov now a full-time welterweight

By Boxing News - 03/23/2013 - Comments

provodnikov111By Chris Williams: #3 WBO Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KO’s) has reportedly officially moved up to the welterweight division following his 12 round unanimous decision loss to WBO welterweight champion on March 16th of this month at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Steve Kim is reporting that the 29-year-old Provodnikov has moved up in weight from 140.

The move makes a lot of sense for Provodnikov because he had been said to be struggling to make the weight for the light welterweight class. At least this way he doesn’t have to worry about draining himself each time he fights to get down to 140. But more important than that, Provodnikov is now fighting in the weight class where he has the most opportunities.

The only problem is the big fight opportunities that Top Rank is going to be giving him involve Provodnikov fighting their 140 pound fighters like Mike Alvarado. That’s the guy that Bob Arum of Top Rank is talking about Provodnikov possibly fighting if Alvarado loses to Brandon Rios next Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rios would then face Manny Pacquiao, Tim Bradley or Juan Manuel Marquez, while Provodnikov would be stuck with Alvarado. Arum didn’t say anything about Provodnikov getting a fight with Rios if he loses his fight with Alvarado on March 30th.

When the question was asked of Arum would he look to match Rios back up with Alvarado immediately for a third fight should Rios lose to Alvarado on March 30th, Arum wouldn’t answer the question, and instead said “Let’s wait and see what happens.” So it kind of looks like Alvarado loses then he faces Provodnikov, but if Rios loses, we could see him right back in with Alvarado to avenge the defeat.

Provodnikov likely won’t get a shot at Rios or Bradley anytime soon. Arum doesn’t want Rios and Bradley beaten, and Provodnikov would have a chance to beat them, so he’s not going to get a chance. Pacquiao of course is also likely off limited for Provodnikov except in terms of sparring.



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