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By Cliff Rold - Two fights ago, 27-year old Jr. Welterweight thriller Ruslan Provodnikov (19-1, 13 KO) of Ekaterinburg, Russia, saw his dreams of a title shot deferred in suffering his first defeat. Friday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, Provodnikov visited the same disappointment on 29-year old Mexican Ivan Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KO) of Chicago, Illinois, dropping and ultimately stopping Popoca in the eight round.
Provodnikov came in just over the division limit of 140 lbs. at 140 ¾, Popoca just under at 138 ½. The referee was Pat Russell.
Provodnikov mixed up his attack early, pressing and then backing off and boxing. The approach gave him opportunities to time loaded, booming left hooks on Popoca while subtly ripping less eye catching body shots home in between. Clearly outmatched in terms of physical strength, Popoca was smart about using his jab beginning in the second round but the sound of the shots Provodnikov was landing kept Popoca from doing more than just competing. [Click Here To Read More]
Provodnikov came in just over the division limit of 140 lbs. at 140 ¾, Popoca just under at 138 ½. The referee was Pat Russell.
Provodnikov mixed up his attack early, pressing and then backing off and boxing. The approach gave him opportunities to time loaded, booming left hooks on Popoca while subtly ripping less eye catching body shots home in between. Clearly outmatched in terms of physical strength, Popoca was smart about using his jab beginning in the second round but the sound of the shots Provodnikov was landing kept Popoca from doing more than just competing. [Click Here To Read More]
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