Rios would get battered. He looked seriously discouraged at points during the Alvarado rematch. He was good when he completely outweighed and over powered light weights but since he has gone north of the lightweight division i predict we will see a gradual deterioration of Bam Bam.
Prov seems more explosive while Rios can probably take a better shot. It's a tough call but prov seems to have better technique. I'd never miss a rios fight because the guy brings it, however, you can't deny the fact that the guys defense is horrendous at at this point he's a poor mans margarito without the stone guns.
Provodnikov hits harder, has better chin, better defense than Rios whos just likes to block punches with his face Prov KO
How can anybody see a win for Rios here? He gets removed on a gurney , id have no doubt about it. Bradley had to fight smart and use superior skill just to outpoint him. Rios isn't half the boxer Bradley is and will get mangled if he fights Provos fight. Rios stood in John Murrays chest all night and barley moved him. He doesn't make it past 8 rounds. Let me go one step further , I think Mike could of continued in Rios I.
Rios would KO Provodnikov. Bradley and Alvarado didn't have the power to make Ruslan pay for keeping his hands down.
What I can't figure is why people keep saying Rios has the better chin. Provo has never been down, nor seriously hurt in his career. Rios has been down before (early in his career, but still), and he was hurt by Miguel Acosta, and in the Alvarado rematch. So how is it exactly that Rios has a better chin? Provo has EVERYTHING over Rios, including chin.
Great fight. But i dont think Rios has enough sustained pop to keep Ruslan off him for long enough. He won't try the box-and-move method that Alvarado unsuccessfully deployed, he will meet Provodnikov head on and engage in all out warfare. Both fighters will eat alot of leather and it's hard to see either of them being stopped so it could be a Gatti v Ward type of fight where it's life and death to the final bell. But i guess Ruslan's more definitive shots would win him a UD. Would love to see this.
This is true. He hasn't looked to have much power since moving up to Welter; but with Alvarado being his only 147lb opponent to judge by, this could be misleading.
I don't have a problem with people picking against Provodnikov, especially in this particular match-up, but I'm confused as to why you would favour a stoppage? It might be because I'm not greatly familiar with Ruslan's career, but has he ever shown weakness before when it comes to punch resistance? I ask this because against Bradley and Alvardo he was smiling every time he was hit. It's hard to imagine the guy getting stopped purely from viewing these two fights, maybe there's evidence elsewhere?
And the RUSSAIN does not use his faceatsch This would be another toe to toe blood bath but I was impressed with the RUSSAIN using some boxing skills. He still refuses to move upper body or head but he did dig to the body on Mike:huh He is flat footed and stalks.....Brandon will get on his toes and move plus he is a better boxer IMO with some discipline :think LONG ANSWER I KNOW:-( RUSSIAN WINS TKO late rounds:smoke