by David P. Greisman
Ruslan Provodnikov’s world title win over Mike Alvarado on Saturday night opens up plenty of doors for him, making him a more marketable name at junior welterweight (the division in which he won his title), as well as at welterweight (the division at which he went to war with Timothy Bradley earlier this year).
Yet the Banner Promotions fighter shouldn’t be expected to appear on Showtime against Golden Boy’s crop of 140- and 147-pound stars, according to Banner’s Artie Pelullo.
“Right now we’re fighting with HBO and only HBO,” Pelullo told BoxingScene.com after Provodnikov’s victory. “That’s what we choose to do. We’re dedicated to HBO. HBO gave us a chance.”
Provodnikov first appeared on HBO in March, albeit as an opponent in what was supposed to be a showcase fight for welterweight titleholder Timothy Bradley. Provodnikov came into that bout seeking to upset those plans by upsetting Bradley, and he came close to doing so, hurting Bradley badly in a war that ended with Bradley edging out a close decision win.
He was back on HBO this past Saturday against now-former 140-pound beltholder Alvarado. And it’s highly likely he’ll be back on again in 2014.
As for when Provodnikov will be back: “I don’t think we’re going to know anything until the end of December,” Pelullo said.
Pick up a copy of David’s new book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com
