By Chris Williams: Ruslan Provodnikov is out of luck in terms of fighting former WBA World lightweight champion Brandon Rios (31-0-1, 23 KO’s) next for the vacant World Boxing Organization 140 lb title as ordered by the WBO. Instead of getting that fight, Provodnikov will have to face someone else such as the recently knocked out Mike Alvarado next year for the vacant strap.
As for Rios, according to Steve Kim, he has decided to wait and fight the winner of the December 8th bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. It’s a no-brainer for the 26-year-old Rios, as it’s a much bigger money fight facing Pacquaio or even Marquez instead of Provodnikov. Besides that, Rios never get this opportunity given to him again because Pacquiao is getting older and may not have much time left in the sport. The same goes for the 39-year-old Marquez.