Provodnikov is Looking "Better Than Ever" in Training
Apr 6, 2015 • 8:12 AM ET
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBO 140-pound champion Ruslan 'Siberian Rocky' Provodnikov has been working under well-known strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson, who also works with some of the top fighters from the ALA Gym including WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and IBF challenger Milan Melindo and some UFC fighters including Rafael dos Anjos of Brazil who just won the lightweight title beating champion Anthony Pettis in a big card in Texas.
Curson told BoxingScene.com/New Standard that Ruslan, who is trained by Freddie Roach’s Filipino assistant Marvin Somodio at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles - “looks better than ever.”
Curson told us the young Somodio is a fine trainer and knows his job.
He said the conditioning of Provodnikov in previous fights was “poor” and as a result his reactions in the ring and stamina after four or five rounds let him down.
Curson didn’t wish to make a prediction on the outcome of the fight against Argentine’s Lucas Matthysse who has an awesome record of 34 knockouts in 36 wins with 3 losses.
The fight will take place at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York in what is almost certain to be a “Fight of the Year” candidate between two fearsome fighters.
Provodnikov was quoted as saying “this is the fight I’ve been waiting for a long time. I think that this fight will be nominated for either “Fight of the Year” or “Knockout of the Year.”
For his part Matthyssee has said he only wants “the biggest fights against the best fighters and this fight between Provodnikov and myself will be “Fight of the Year.”
He described Provodnikov as “a warrior that never stops throwing punches and his style suits me very well. I am confident I will win and since Danny Garcia doesn’t want to fight me again, this fight will prove that I am one of the best fighters in the world.”
Provodnikov, who is 31 years old, has a record of 24- with 17 knockouts and is coming off a 5th round TKO over Jose Luis Castillo last November 28 after dropping a split decision and the WBO light welterweight championship to Chris Algieri on June 14, 2014.
The 32 year old Matthysse is coming of a rousing 2nd round knockout of previously undefeated Roberto Ortiz (31-0-1, 24 KO’s) on September 6, 2014 following an 11th round knockout victory over John Molina Jr on April 26, 2014 to win the vacant WBC Continental Americas title’
