Provodnikov: Pacquiao Capable of Knocking Bradley Out

By Rick Reeno

Last March, WBO junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov came within a round of stopping Timothy Bradley in their "Fight of The Year" battle at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. Provodnikov had Bradley in serious trouble in at least four different rounds of their twelve round battle.

While Bradley has tabbed Provodnikov as a harder puncher than Manny Pacquiao - the "Siberian Rocky" disagrees.

"I wouldn't say that I've sparred with Manny. He is a very hard puncher. I think maybe I was just luckier with my punches that night," Provodnikov said.

The Eastern Euro boxer hit Bradley with everything possible but he couldn't knock him out. Although he failed to close the show, he feels Pacquiao is certainly capable of ending Bradley's undefeated run later tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"Oh yes, I certainly think Pacquiao can knock him out. Manny is a hard puncher and I think if he catches Bradley and puts his punches together he can knock him out," Provodnikov said.