Pacman-Provodnikov: Don't believe the hype

A glorified sparring match between... well whaddya know! sparring partners and buddies.

Pac would slice him up easy.

Provodnikov does everything that Rios does but better. And he's stronger. People don't really care about the Bradley rematch because Bradley nearly lost every round (unless you own a piece of TMT apparel, in which case you probably scored it for Bradley). Plus the fact that Bradley is boring and no one cares about him. Then again I doubt casuals know or ever care about Provodnikov either.

Provo saying he doesn't want to fight Pac out of respect makes it difficult to take this fight seriously. To be honest this fight is a joke but then what options are there? JMM doesn't want the fight, I don't think Team Pac wants Bradley for whatever reasons. And who else is there for him to fight at Top Rank? I mean if there was no promotion feud then Pac would have at least 6-10 different options. It's the sad reality of boxing really.

Top Recycle strikes again. Let's put Ruslan in with a old man can't pull the trigger Pacman? Looks like it's Pacquiao/Ruslan, Rios/Alvarado 3 and Bradley vs TBA

Rather watch this than Floyd/Khan

People think it'll look like Pacquiao VS Rios/Margarito but I disagree, Ruslan is way better than Rios and that washed up version of Margo that Manny fought. Even if he wins, I could see Manny taking some big punishment in this fight. Pacquiao just doesn't have that passion and fire anymore which he would need to keep Ruslan off him all night.

It's better then Floyd fighting Khan, that's for sure. But still, I wouldn't consider Pac beating Ruslan a good or notable win to list on his resume. Provo had a close fight with Bradley and beat Alvarado, that's it. He's a basic come forward fighter, he'll be eating shots from Pac all night long. Another UD to make Pac look good. Bruce lee said it best... There is no style that is better than the other, just the quality of the man and how much he applies himself to his craft. That includes the subset of "styles" within boxing. Boxer, boxer puncher, brawler, swarmer, or any hybrid thereof. Just because Provodnikov is not exactly Mr. Finesse, that does not mean he can't use his take no prisoners style to beat a good boxer, or a somewhat shopworn Pacquiao. Provodnikov has way more dimensions than a guy like Rios whom I always thought was overblown. Yeah he a brawler, but he's not even the best one at this point, that honor belongs to Provodnikov or Maidana. Anyway, I'm a Manny fan, and I don't like this fight at all for him.

It's better then Floyd fighting Khan, that's for sure. But still, I wouldn't consider Pac beating Ruslan a good or notable win to list on his resume. Provo had a close fight with Bradley and beat Alvarado, that's it. He's a basic come forward fighter, he'll be eating shots from Pac all night long. Another UD to make Pac look good. I heard a rumour that he'd also beaten Marquez....

Bradley basically just ran and bounced a lot of taps off of Pacquiao's guard in the last few rounds. Did a really good job of making Pacquiao look bad, but he didn't really win the rounds. What's interesting about Pac-Provodnikov is that Pacquiao is not a very good inside fighter and Provodnikov is. Provodnikov also hits harder than Rios, who hurt Pacquiao. Pacquiao does not hit as hard as Alvarado, who couldn't hurt Provodnikov. It's a risky fight. However, if Pacquiao can punch and move, he can keep forcing Provonikov to reset while also busting up his face. As much as I hate to say it, as I'd prefer Pac-Bradley 2, Pac-Provo is an interesting fight. It wouldn't be a bad 2014 for Pac to fight Bradley and Provonikov. Question is, while Pacquiao be smart enough to stay a free agent when his contract expires? Just watched Provo vs Alvarado and Bradley again.. I don't think Provo has one punch power to put Pac asleep. People are banking on Pacquiao's cracked chin myth. Pac doesn't need to fight Provo at the inside to beat him besides he is not fast enough to trouble Pac on the outside. Provo is an inside fighter and Pac can box from the outside turning Provo to his left then reset. Rios had some success on the inside against Pac because Pac allowed himself into that position. After Pac adjusted and box from the outside, he can timed Rios loading up throw a combo and circling to the right. By the time Rios unleash his punches Pac already landed a few and was on left side away was from Rios punches.

I like this fight. I think its a toss up myself. I expect Pac as a big favourite but this would be a fight in which we really find out if Pacs chin is cracked and even if not, it could well be by the end of it. Provodnikov isn't a bog standard, plodding brawler like Pac is used to. Its easy too think or be mislead Provo is a standard, flat-footed brawler who follows guys in straight lines but hes not. He cuts the ring off well, he feints and works his way in, hes a good counterpuncher. I think this is a decent fight. Entertainment wise, its better than a Bradley fight but that is probably more intriguing.

I think Bradley found something with Pac the last 3-4 rounds of their fight, if I can remember correctly. I thin that's by far the best fight Pac can take, but I recognize, he doesn't need to. Everyone knows he beat Bradley already. I wouldn't mind Pac-Provo by the way, I'd order it before Floyd-Khan any day of the week. Bradley basically just ran and bounced a lot of taps off of Pacquiao's guard in the last few rounds. Did a really good job of making Pacquiao look bad, but he didn't really win the rounds. What's interesting about Pac-Provodnikov is that Pacquiao is not a very good inside fighter and Provodnikov is. Provodnikov also hits harder than Rios, who hurt Pacquiao. Pacquiao does not hit as hard as Alvarado, who couldn't hurt Provodnikov. It's a risky fight. However, if Pacquiao can punch and move, he can keep forcing Provonikov to reset while also busting up his face. As much as I hate to say it, as I'd prefer Pac-Bradley 2, Pac-Provo is an interesting fight. It wouldn't be a bad 2014 for Pac to fight Bradley and Provonikov. Question is, while Pacquiao be smart enough to stay a free agent when his contract expires?

Pov is a basic boxer who only fights one way, he has heart, but thats not going to help him beat Pac Basic boxer?

Ruslan has been beastin lately, idk I can kinda see it being a bit risky for Pac. Pac looked real uncomfortable first four rounds against Rios when he got touched. Maybe just rust and I'm over thinking it. But I actually think a Bradley fight would be the safer pick of the two. I think Bradley found something with Pac the last 3-4 rounds of their fight, if I can remember correctly. I thin that's by far the best fight Pac can take, but I recognize, he doesn't need to. Everyone knows he beat Bradley already. I wouldn't mind Pac-Provo by the way, I'd order it before Floyd-Khan any day of the week.

It's better then Floyd fighting Khan, that's for sure. But still, I wouldn't consider Pac beating Ruslan a good or notable win to list on his resume. Provo had a close fight with Bradley and beat Alvarado, that's it. He's a basic come forward fighter, he'll be eating shots from Pac all night long. Another UD to make Pac look good.

If pac vs provo happens, there is a very big possibility that the fight will be stopped because of too much bleeding due to cuts. Provo, has unfortunately, a very light and thin skin and manny punches through his knuckles more than usual. There is a reason why almost all of manny's opponents bleeds and gets lumps and bumps all over the face after the fight; -- the bone to bone impact will make it easier to cut and bump a person's skin; especially those with lighter and thin skins.

this will be a sparring session between two friends.

could be wrong but it's looking like bradley just don't want to fight pacquiao again. that's the only way pac/ruslan makes sense is if bradley and jmm don't want to fight manny. i'd like to hear tim bradley speak up. we've heard from everybody but him.

That's how I see it too, and not sure who would think differently. Honestly, while it would never happen, and Khan is crazy for mentioning it, I would love to see that fight with all their background and saying a fight would never happen. Bradley fight is the only logical next fight. Not sure why it's even taking long to be made.

One reason why I don't want this fight to happen. They have too much respect for each other. Once one senses is the other is beaten they'd cruise along. Think Rios and Margarito 12th round. No story enough to put this two together.