By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com recently caught up with Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pellulo to talk about his fighter Bryan Vera's upcoming rematch against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and to also get an update on his WBO junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov.
Pellulo said that he is confident that Vera will leave the ring with "another" victory on March 1st in San Antonio, Texas. He is of course referring to their first fight that took place this past September. Pellulo, like many insiders and fans alike, felt that Vera did more than enough to earn the victory.
"He is taking it very seriously and I think it is going to be a heck of a fight and I think we are going to win it again. Bryan Vera knows what to expect. He knows that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a heck of a young fighter and will be in shape. I think it is a lot better for Vera because I think that Chavez is a big kid and it will be hard for him to make weight," Pellulo explained.
Provodnikov captured his world title this past October when he stopped Mike Alvarado in his hometown of Denver, Colo. Pellulo said that Provodnikov will be back in the ring on June 14th and that his opponent will likely be finalized this week.
"Ruslan will be back on HBO on June 14th which will be a good slot for him because I believe that is the date of the Cotto-Martinez replay. It is very good because it will get good ratings. Antonio DeMarco is one of the front runners for the fight and so is (Chris) Algieri. There are a couple other names out there as well. It doesn't really matter to us because he wants to defend his title at 140 and whoever he fights against he will be in the fight. He is just unbelievable," Pellulo revealed.
One of the names that Pellulo is not looking at is Brandon Rios, who once was regarded as the front runner. The Banner Promotions CEO feels that Rios cannot make the weight and doesn't want to take any chances with Provodnikov's belt on the line.
"I don't think Rios can make 47. He had to take diuretics to make 47 for Pacquiao. We are not going to have a situation where we move up and aren't going to defend our title. Remember, when he moved up to 47 for Bradley he only weighed in at 44, (we won't move up) unless it is for a Pacquiao fight or another Bradley fight or a Marquez fight down the road.
"I have to be honest with you, not only do I believe he will get one of those fights, but they can't avoid him. I believe he will be the next superstar in boxing on HBO. He is fan friendly and TV friendly. For Pacquiao, Bradley and Marquez, they will have to fight him because he also will bring money to the table," Pellulo told BoxingScene.com.
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