Provodnikov is much stronger and harder hitting. I think he'd knock Rios out or at least beat the hell out of him for a decision win.
Everyone has to remember that the Bradley fight was at 147, not 140. Likely that Provodnikov might not be able to make the weight at 140 and Rios would not fight at 147. Both are exciting fighters, but if they ever did fight Rios would be too small to take it. You gotta respect a guy who almost knocked Bradley out cold! Also, I heard Prov is going to fight Welter now.
Rios can barely make 140 still. A fight at 47 would be a war. Personally I think Provod doesnt have the best chin, and swells up way too easy. Bam Bam would hurt him bad.
I voted by Provodnikov via decision, could go either way though and I could change my pick tomorrow. I think you're all overrating Provodnikov a little here when picking him to win by ko, remember it wasn't that long ago that he was outboxed by Maurice Herrera? Alvarado had an easier time with him than Ruslan had. I think the Bradley fight flattered him a little bit overall, it was close mainly down to Bradleys lack of a good gameplan than anything else. Provo remains a good strong, hard hitting and relentless pressure fighter who can time a good right hand but he's lacking in the skill are and can be painfully easy to hit at times. He also tends to get busted up a lot, which isnt good when you're fighting a guy like Rios. Great fight though, a war that could go either way. Just goes to show how exciting the 140 division is right now when you have Peterson, Rios, Alvarado, Provodnikov, Mathysse Garcia and Khan in it. There should be some quality fights here for the next few years.
prov lacks defense esp on the insie, and is stamina looks ****, bam bam would outowrk him and stop him
