By Steve Kim

In the wake of his disappointing loss to John Molina this past weekend, Ruslan Provodnikov (25-5, 18KOs) faces an uncertain future in the boxing ring.

The usually relentless Provodnikov was decidely tepid in his attack for much of the night at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, where he made his Showtime debut.

After so many hard, grueling fights, Provodnikov might need a respite from the sport.

"That's exactly what I told Vadim (Kornilov, Provodnikov's manager) - 'let him rest, give him some time off because every fight he has is a war.' So he needs to get away from the boxing for a good period of time till he says,'Y'know what? I want to do this again,' till he feels it from the start,"opined his trainer, Joel Diaz.

Diaz, who comes from a fighting family says he's seen it first hand how re-charging the battery can aid an older boxer.

''That's what happened to my brother, Antonio," he recalled, speaking of the former junior welterweight contender, who had a productive career.

"My brother did the same thing, he took a whole year off and he came back strong. Ruslan needs some good time off. He shouldn't have to worry about nothing till he as a fighter says,'I want to come back.'"

The 32-year old from Russia has a record of 25-5 (18 KO's) and has boxed professionally for almost a decade.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.