By Allan Fox: Former two time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1, 57 KOs) could wind up as the next opponent for former WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KOs) to fight in Russia, according to Steve Kim.
Provodnikov, 30, will be fighting at the end of next month in November in Russia, and he’s in need of an opponent with a name. Provodnikov wanted to fight Brandon Rios and Tim Bradley, but neither of those fighters were available to him. Castillo, 40, is a possibility for the Russian fighter.
It’s kind of disturbing to think of a fighter as small as Castillo fighting a puncher like Provodnikov, because it’s a mismatch in power and age. Provodnikov is much young strong and young for a guy like Castillo at this point.
Im a huge admirer of Jose Luis Castillo, but geez, this fight in Russia vs Ruslan is dangerous, IMO #boxing
— Steve Kim (@steveucnlive) October 7, 2014
Castillo was obviously a far better fighter than Provodnikov could ever hope to be during his prime, but it’s been nine years since Castillo was in his prime and that’s just too long of a time for him to have a chance against a bruiser like Provodnikov.
Castillo, now 40-years-old and fighting in the welterweight division, hasn’t fought a level fighter since he lost to Ricky Hatton in 2007. Castillo has lost to the likes of Sebastian Andres Lujan, Jorge Paez Jr, Alfonso Gomez, and Antwone Smith in the past six years. Castillo hasn’t beaten anyone of note during that time span.
Castillo was known for his two fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr and Diego Corrales. Those fights took a lot out of Castillo, because he wasn’t the same fighter afterwards. After Castillo could no longer make the lightweight division, it’s when he really started to struggle in facing bigger light welterweights like Hatton.
Provodnikov wants a rematch against Chris Algieri, who beat him by a 12 round split decision last June to take his WBO light welterweight title. It’s possible we could see a rematch between Algieri and Provodnikov in the near future if Algieri loses his fight against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao next month on November 22nd.
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