Comments Thread For: Ruslan Provodnikov Steps Back Towards Contention

BIGPOPPAPUMP

By Cliff Rold - Two fights ago, 27-year old Jr. Welterweight thriller Ruslan Provodnikov (19-1, 13 KO) of Ekaterinburg, Russia, saw his dreams of a title shot deferred in suffering his first defeat. Friday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, Provodnikov visited the same disappointment on 29-year old Mexican Ivan Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KO) of Chicago, Illinois, dropping and ultimately stopping Popoca in the eight round.

Provodnikov came in just over the division limit of 140 lbs. at 140 ¾, Popoca just under at 138 ½. The referee was Pat Russell.

Provodnikov mixed up his attack early, pressing and then backing off and boxing. The approach gave him opportunities to time loaded, booming left hooks on Popoca while subtly ripping less eye catching body shots home in between. Clearly outmatched in terms of physical strength, Popoca was smart about using his jab beginning in the second round but the sound of the shots Provodnikov was landing kept Popoca from doing more than just competing. [Click Here To Read More]

Pessimistic

That 4-round draw was just what can bring casual fans to the sport. It was unskilled and ugly but they came to fight.

ThePhantom5

Prescott-Provodnikov could be an excellent FNF main event.

Make it happen.

analog 2 · 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pessimistic

That 4-round draw was just what can bring casual fans to the sport. It was unskilled and ugly but they came to fight.

I would much rather see a tactical bout between two excellent boxers when compared to a sloppy brawl between two who are unskilled. Then again I am not a casual fan.

Ugly fights tend to make me cringe, but it is also easy to enjoy when done right.

RINGG

So strange to see McGirt in a winning corner. It has been a couple years and many, many fights since we have seen that!

TaurusJ27

That light heavyweraight fight was entertaining eventhough it wasnothing but a slugfest. Provodnikov made improvements since that loss.

Pessimistic Interim Champion Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 713 Rep Power: 4 Points: 1,000,564,477.50 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,000,564,477.50 Donate	That 4-round draw was just what can bring casual fans to the sport. It was unskilled and ugly but they came to fight.

ThePhantom5 The Boss Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 21,582 Rep Power: 73 Points: 19,816,999,545.58 Bank: 881,791,082,419.76 Total Points: 901,608,081,965.34 Donate	Prescott-Provodnikov could be an excellent FNF main event. Make it happen.

RINGG Undisputed Champion Join Date: May 2009 Location: ringside Age: 33 Posts: 23,342 Rep Power: 124 Points: 1,274.82 Bank: 996,850,157,918.48 Total Points: 996,850,159,193.29 Donate	So strange to see McGirt in a winning corner. It has been a couple years and many, many fights since we have seen that!

TaurusJ27 Undisputed Champion Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,332 Rep Power: 5 Points: 16,674.70 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 16,674.70 Donate	That light heavyweraight fight was entertaining eventhough it wasnothing but a slugfest. Provodnikov made improvements since that loss.