Provodnikov Discusses Pacquiao-Rios, Marquez-Bradley

By Ryan Burton

Junior welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2) appears to be the frontrunner to face WBO interim junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado in the fall. Provodnikov thrilled fans with his close decision loss to Tim Bradley in March in which he staggered the undefeated star multiple times.

On October 12th Bradley will defend his WBO welterweight title against Mexican superstar Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas. BoxingScene.com recently spoke to Provodnikov to get his take on that fight. Should Provodnikov defeat Alvarado, there is a good possibility he may face either on of those fighters in the near future. 

"Yes, I definitely I think I will fight both of those guys in the future.  If Marquez doesn't retire we can make a very exciting fight together," Provodnikov reasoned while taking a shot at Bradley for not giving him an immediate rematch. 

"Timothy on the other hand chose the easier route by fighting Marquez.  I don't think he would have fought me again even if he was paid more to fight me than he got paid to fight Marquez.

"But in the future if Timothy wants to prove he is a true champion he will have to fight Manny and I again and beat us, because a lot of people don't think he beat either of us and (that) he got lucky on the scorecards."

I also asked the Siberian native for his take on the November 23rd showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios. Provodnikov has helped Pacquiao prepare for multiple fights and by most accounts has given the Filipino solid sparring.

"I don't like to make predictions for fights because you never know what will happen in the ring but I think Manny will be the stronger, smarter, and more accurate puncher in this fight.  I think Brandon Rios does well with fighters that are in front of him all the time and I don't think Manny will be in front of him too much if he is well prepared for this fight as he always is," Provodnikov told BoxingScene.com.

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