By Jim Dower: The struggling former WBO 140lb champion Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) says his new trainer Joel Diaz has improved his defense in the short amount of time that he’s been working with him since replacing popular trainer Freddie Roach as his lead guy.
Provodnikov’s defense has been so poor his entire career that it’s not surprising that he’s seeing improvement. When there’s no defense at all like there is with Provodnikov, then any improvement is dramatic. Provodnikov, 31, will get a chance to test his improvement next month in his fight against unbeaten Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez (14-0, 11 KOs) in their 10 round fight on November 7th at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
By Dan Ambrose: With three defeats in his last five fights, it’s not surprising that #4 WBO, #5 WBC, #8 WBA light welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) would go in another direction by switching out his trainer Freddie Roach in favor of Joel Diaz, the former trainer for Tim Bradley. 
By Scott Gilfoid: Former WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) says negotiations are taking place for a fight between him and Britain’s Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) for a fight that would take place in November. 
(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada) By Scott Gilfoid: Well, we could be seeing #1 WBC, #2 WBA, #4 WBO welterweight contender Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) facing former WBO 140lb champion Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) in the coming months. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, a fight between Khan and the 31-year-old Provodnikov is possible. It’s not exactly a fight that many boxing fans would want to see for a couple of reasons. 
By Scott Gilfoid: If the negotiations between IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) and WBO 147lb champion Timothy Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs) don’t work out for whatever reason, Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn says he’ll look to match Brook against either #9 WBA, #11 WBO welterweight contender Diego Chaves (23-2-1, 19 KOs) or #4 WBO, #5 WBC, #8 WBA light welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs). 
By Dan Ambrose: Former three division world champion Adrien Broner (30-2, 22 KOs) could be taking a tough bounce back fight against former WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) this November for a fight that is being planned for Showtime, according to Dan Rafael. The Broner vs. Provodnilov fight is still in the planning stages at this point and not a given. 
By Allan Fox: If you were one of the many boxing fans who were looking forward to seeing a rematch between Lucas Matthysse (37-3, 34 KOs) and the “Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs), you can forget it because the rematch isn’t happening, say Matthysse’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya.