By Wil Patino: Hey Boxing fans of the sweet science Wil here to speak on rising star Ruslan Provodnikov. The popular “Siberian Rocky” from ESPN 2. There hasn’t been a fighter as popular with the fans on that network since Micky Ward and we all do know who Micky is, don’t we? Now I was going to initially write an article on Manny Pacquiao being that Floyd is the hot topic on this site, but I am an avid reader of BoxingNews24 myself and have grown tired and weary of the same old topics as most of you… the readers.
So I thought about writing on someone a little less spoken of and a topic that hasn’t been scrutinized on much when it comes to this warrior (Provodnikov).
Many have believed after watching Danny Garcia KO an aging past his best Erik Morales, a chinny Amir Khan, and most importantly Lucas “La Maquina” (The Machine) Matthysse that Danny Garcia was amongst the best. Maybe even joining the elite fighters with those performances, in which I respectively understand. Amir Khan is blazing fast and no one gave Danny a chance against the power and will of Matthysse. Yet Danny proved critics wrong and deserved all the belts and fame he received from his fights. Then came along a crafty, sneaky boxer in Mauricio Herrera. After a performance like that from Herrera I was a bit intrigued to find out more of this lesser known fighter. After all Danny Garcia might not do anything special, but he did everything good and always found a way to win, but Herrera didn’t allow him to and outsmarted and out classed Garcia. Previously Herrera had a ‘W’ on Ruslan and was involved in a fight of the year candidate vs Mike Alvarado.
Back to Ruslan. On ESPN 2 back in early 2011 a clash of interesting styles and fighters met on Friday Night Fights. Ruslan Provodnikov then 17-0 (11 KO’S) and Mauricio Herrera then 16-1 (7 KO”S) mixed it up in an entertaining fight which Provodnikov was no stranger to on Friday Nights. It turned out to be the first blemish on Ruslans Record on a night many had him beating Herrera by a couple rounds or so. You can watch the fight yourself here through this link ( http://youtu.be/cdlIaUH_WRE ) just remember to open it in a new window so you can read on. In seeing Ruslans Performance of beating a guy but not getting the nod in Mauricio Herrera and seeing Herrera later go on to beat Garcia but lose the decision; It leads me to think Ruslan is a better fighter than many have given him credit for and he would most likely destroy Danny Garcia at this point of his career.
Now lets fast forward to Provodnikov vs Bradley who is regarded by some as the #3 pound for pound fighter after his wins over Pacquiao and Marquez. ( though one is questionable) Provodnikov was able to impose his will on Bradley and give him all types of troubles early in the fight. Bradley seem to make a near fatal decision in fighting toe to toe with the Siberian Rocky. Bradley did adjust quite a bit in fighting the style we’re used to seeing Timothy fight in during the middle rounds, but Ruslan kept coming on and once again turned it into his (Provodnikovs’) kind of fight. Nearly knocking out the tough as nails Bradley. In Between all that there was a knock down that went unaccounted for and would have won Provodnikov the fight had the ref scored it a knock down. One can say we could be watching an undefeated fighter rising to the top of the elite.
Later Ruslan went on to face Alvarado and knocked him out in a sensational fight. When you really think about it, he’s very exciting, powerful, hungry, and competing with all types of styles and talent. So I ask you my fellow readers Do you believe that Provodnikov can become an elite fighter? Or has he already proven it? Thought it would be worth discussing and debating. Let me hear your thoughts!
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