Provodnikov vs. Algieri in the works for June 14th

By Boxing News - 04/03/2014 - Comments

provodnikov32By Dan Ambrose: It looks like WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-2, 16 KO’s) will be facing undefeated Chris Algieri (19-0, 8 KO’s) in his first defense of his WBO 140lb title on June 14th instead of someone more interesting like Brandon Rios. According to Dan Rafael of ESPN, Thomas Dulorme, Antonio DeMarco, and Hank Lundy were all ruled out as a possible opponent for Provodnikov. Algieri was the guy that was approved.

Provodnikov’s promoter Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions, wasn’t impressed with Dulorme’s recent win over Karim Mayfield, said Rafael. Dulorme did a lot of holding in the fight en route to winning a 10 round unanimous decision.

It’s understandable why HBO might not like the idea of DeMarco facing Provodnikov, because DeMarco was recently destroyed by Broner, and it would likely have been a bad fight due to DeMarco’s lack of size at 140.

Roach didn’t like the idea of Provodnikov facing Hank Lundy for some reason. It could be because of his boxing skills, and fast hands. Provodnikov is pretty slow on his feet, and he can be out-boxed, as we saw with him losing to Mauricio Herrera in 2011.

Algieri, 30, recently beat Emmanuel Taylor by a dull 10 round unanimous decision last February on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Algieri showed little in the way of power and spent most of the fight on the outside throwing jabs, and doing a lot of head movement. Algieri did a lot of charging forward with his head lowered and it was a surprise that Taylor wasn’t cut up in the fight.

It would be more interesting to see Provodnikov in with a straight slugger than a boxer like Algieri. It’s kind of surprising that Roach didn’t say no to this guy too, but he’s not nearly as fast or as clever as Lundy is and that’s probably why he didn’t say no to him as well.

Provodnikov was in the running for a fight against Pacquiao, but ultimately Top Rank selected Tim Bradley for him to fight.

Provodnikov has one fight left on his Top Rank deal. It’s not surprising that Provodnikov isn’t getting the Rios fight, because if he beat Rios, he’d be lowering the value of him with Top Rank. Provodnikov would then move on due to his contract having expired with Top Rank. But Rios would still be seen as tainted, and Top Rank wouldn’t be able to use Provodnikov.

Provodnikov won the WBO 140lb title in his last fight in stopping Mike Alvarado last October in stopping him in the 10th round.



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