By Luis Sandoval, video by Ryan Burton
The stage is set for tomorrow night’s Welterweight championship bout between WBO champ Timothy Bradley (29-0, 12KOs) and Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15KOs) at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA airing live on HBO.
Unfortunately for those in attendance, the weigh in was delayed half an hour due to four fighters on the card still having to clear their physical exams before being able to jump on the scales.
After everything was finally sorted out, both Bradley and Provodnikov weighed in at an identical 146.6. Both fighters looked to be in tremendous shape.
This is Bradley’s first defense of his WBO title after defeating Manny Pacquiao last June in a fight that ended in controversy as most felt Pacquiao deserved the nod. Bradley plans to put on a great performance Saturday night and put all the controversy behind him as he begins his title reign.
For Provodnikov, the Russian is not only fighting for his first world title but he is also making his debut at Welterweight as he moved up to take this fight. Ruslan has renowned trainer Freddie Roach in his corner who has a history with Bradley as he also trains Manny Pacquiao.
UNDERCARD WEIGHTS
Jessie Vargas (21-0, 9KOs) 146.6 – Wale Omotoso (23-0, 19KOs) 146.8 (Welterweights)
Jessie Magdaleno (13-0, 9KOs) 123.4lbs - Carlos Fulgencio (19-9-1, 12KOs) 123.6lbs (Super Bantamweights)
Oscar Valdez 128lbs - Jose Morales 137.8* (Featherweights) (Morales appeared to be over the weight limit)
Andy Ruiz Jr (17-0, 11KOs) 246 lbs - Matthew Greer (15-9,13KOs) 240 lbs (Heavyweights)
Gabino Saenz (8-0, 6KOs) 126lbs - Cesar Valenzuela (3-1-1, 1KO) 125 lbs (Super Bantamweights)
Ramon Valadez (11-3, 6KOs) 127lbs - Victor Sanchez (3-5-1) 126.8lbs (Lightweights)
Egidijus Kavaliauskasus (Pro Debut) 150.2lbs - Edian Leon Quintero (Pro Debut) 150.4lbs (Welterweights)
Victor Pasillas (3-0, 1KOs) 124.6lbs Ricardo Gonzalez 128lbs (Featherweights)
