By Ruslan Chikov
As BoxingScene.com first reported last week, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered a title battle between 26-year-old Brandon Rios (WBO #1, 31-0-1, 23KOs) and 28-year-old Ruslan Provodnikov (WBO #2, 22-1, 15KOs). The junior welterweight title currently held by Juan Manuel Marquez is going to become vacant because the Mexican boxer is moving up to fight Manny Pacquiao for a fourth time on December 8th in Las Vegas.
Provodnikov hopes the fight will happen, but Rios could receive a far more lucrative opportunity with a fight against Pacquiao on April 20th.
"This battle is the [biggest] opportunity of my life. Therefore, when there was an official confirmation [from the WBO], I was just so emotional. Only a few people know what I went through to get this opportunity. In fact, I already knew that most likely my opponent [for the WBO title] would be Rios. To be honest, I wanted to fight him even more so than Alvarado. As they say, thoughts become reality. I believe in myself and in my abilities. Perhaps this is the most important thing. And my statements about being ready to fight anybody - it's not just big words," Provodnikov said.
"I'm sure [the fight would take place] in be America and, therefore, it will air on HBO."
