Vargas To Provodnikov: You Will Soon Know Who I Am

By Ryan Burton

Last week former super lightweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov told BoxingScene.com that he was surprised to hear that his former opponent Tim Bradley would be facing Jessie Vargas in an HBO televised main event on June 27th at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Provodnikov lost a close decision to Bradley at the same venue in March, 2013 in a battle that won "Fight of the Year" honors. Provodnikov has unsuccessfully chased a rematch with Bradley since that fight happened and said that - "Vargas is the worst possible opponent that he could face."

When he heard the news, Vargas took a diplomatic approach and gave
BoxingScene.com a short and sweet answer. 

"I don't really have much to say - except that he will soon know who I am. That's for sure," said the unbeaten Vargas.

This coming Monday in Los Angeles, Bradley and Vargas will go face to face at a press conference to officially announced their showdown. The fighters, who have a combined record of 57-1-1 (21 KOs), will be joined by their teams -- For Team Bradley, trainer Joel Diaz and father Tim Bradley and for Team Vargas, trainer Roy Jones, Jr. and manager Cameron Dunkin -- along with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.