PHILADELPHIA (July 31, 2012)WBO number-two ranked Jr. Welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov is looking to take on any of the champions or top contenders in his next bout and feels he is just an opportunity away from becoming a world champion. Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs) of Beryozovo, Russia has won five fights in a row which include four impressive knockouts and has been tabbed by many boxing insiders as one of the most exciting fighters in the world. We are looking for the biggest fights now for Ruslan, said Provodnikovs promoter Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions. We are targeting the likes of Danny Garcia, Juan Manuel Marquez, Mike Alvarado or Lamont Peterson, we feel that Ruslan is not only worthy of those opportunities but we have all the confidence that he would beat any of them Provodnikov is coming off of an impressive second round stoppage over Jose Reynoso on June 29th. Ruslan has built a nice reputation and he has thrilled many fans during his appearances on ESPN 2 and now he is eying a world championship "Ruslan has grown to a different skill level in the past year. Training at the Wild Card Gym and sparring more than 70 rounds with Manny Pacquiao as well as other world class fighters like Amir Khan, has really paid off more than we even hoped for. Ruslan is ready to fight anybody in his division and after the Amir Khan vs. Danny Garcia fight he was quoted saying that he was anxious to fight Danny Garcia and he knows it would be a very exciting fight because of their similar brawler styles. said Provodnikovs manager Vadim Kornilov Provodnikov is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and he is in agreement with Pelullo and Kornilov. Ruslan has been sparring with Pacquiao and Khan and he does very well with them and I believe he is ready for a big bout. He is very durable and improved so much in the last Pacquiao camp that I feel he is ready for the big time, said Roach.
I'd like to see Provodnikov get a chance to test himself at top level. 140lb also has IBO Champion Allakhverdiev who has beaten better compitition than Ruslan and Euro Champ Shafikov who has probably beat better opposition too. All 3 need an oppertunity to get in the mix.
Interesting guy with some nice power. Not sure how'd he handle top JWWs, but I wouldn't mind him getting a shot at someone. Maybe Rios or Alvarado?
Like his style... Time to leave the ESPN circuit tho. Maybe get a couple ShoBox fights against better comp.
ruslan is a beast, and very cool. he always answers my messages and questions on facebook.n. . i just use google translate cause he cant speak good english. . . but very cool guy. i think he beats peterson, and garcia.
I'd pick Provodnikov to beat the **** outta Garcia. He'd probably beat Rios as well. BTW - he should really be unbeaten. He was robbed blind against Herrera.
Garcia is now overrated based on the Khan fight. Provo would most likely clock Khan as well. And Provo is probably stronger than Rios, but we have yet to see Rios at 140 yet. I'd say Provo vs Rios would be damn near a 50-50 fight. Matthyse would stop Provo though, I'll admit that much.
He's a limited slugger. Exciting fighter but will never hold a belt for too long if he ever captures one.
Not a fan of the guy any boxer takes him to school,even lower tier guys like Holt is now would ko him in 5.
this, fun fighter to watch but I see no one in the top 12 that doesnt outbox him and the guys that bang at the weight (Matthyse,Rios etc) all have better technique. Provodnikov is a straight forward guy, one dimensional. he's not ready for primetime
Assuming Peterson can come back to his previous form...you really believe Provodnikov can handle Peterson? A Garcia fight would be FOTY candidate...
I really do. . I think he'd be too much for both. . Guys I would favor to beat him: Matthysse, and Marquez. I think Judah would have a good chance to catch him, and maybe outbox him . . . Alvarado might be too physically strong for him, as I think he's probably the most physically large, and strong 140 pounder out there. Khan might be too fast for him, but he's not as durable as Provo at 140. . . I think Matthysse is the only guy who I would 100% favor agaisnt him due to styles. . . Matthysse is like a more technical version of Provo.
