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By Robert Morales - Rarely has a fighter gained so much from a defeat the way Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia did in his narrow 12-round decision loss to welterweight champion Timothy
Bradley on March 16 at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. In taking Bradley to the limit, Provodnikov lost by scores of 114-113, 114-113 and 115-112. He had Bradley hurt the first two rounds, and also decked Bradley in the 12th round of what turned out to be a Fight of the Year candidate.
Bradley showed tremendous heart. But his reputation for that had long been established. Fight fans did not know as much about Provodnikov, but he showed everyone who he was that night. Keep in mind that he moved up in weight for Bradley.
Provodnikov looked like he loved every minute of the brutality. It was an eye-popping performance by a fighter who adores his work. Through manager and translator Vadim Gornilov, Provodnikov on Tuesday painted a picture that made sense of his attitude in the ring.
"When I was a little kid growing up in a small little village-type town, I was fighting a lot (on the streets)," Provodnikov said to BoxingScene.com via telephone following a Denver news conference formally announcing his challenge to junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado on Oct. 19 at First Bank Center near Denver (on HBO). "I was fighting a lot for respect, I was fighting a lot because I like to fight, and I used to get punished for it." [Click Here To Read More]
Bradley on March 16 at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. In taking Bradley to the limit, Provodnikov lost by scores of 114-113, 114-113 and 115-112. He had Bradley hurt the first two rounds, and also decked Bradley in the 12th round of what turned out to be a Fight of the Year candidate.
Bradley showed tremendous heart. But his reputation for that had long been established. Fight fans did not know as much about Provodnikov, but he showed everyone who he was that night. Keep in mind that he moved up in weight for Bradley.
Provodnikov looked like he loved every minute of the brutality. It was an eye-popping performance by a fighter who adores his work. Through manager and translator Vadim Gornilov, Provodnikov on Tuesday painted a picture that made sense of his attitude in the ring.
"When I was a little kid growing up in a small little village-type town, I was fighting a lot (on the streets)," Provodnikov said to BoxingScene.com via telephone following a Denver news conference formally announcing his challenge to junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado on Oct. 19 at First Bank Center near Denver (on HBO). "I was fighting a lot for respect, I was fighting a lot because I like to fight, and I used to get punished for it." [Click Here To Read More]
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