Is Ruslan a world-class boxer? What's next for him?

[VatoMulatto]

Well, is he or did Bradley make him look better than what he is?

Would you favor him to beat any of the top 10 guys?




Ruslan not only stronger he even hits harder than Manny?

At first I thought it was just something that Roach said to hype up his fighter but after watching the Bradley fight do you guys think there's some truth to Roach statement??

"This is a big fight for Ruslan, the biggest fight of his life,” Roach said on a conference call to promote their 12-round fight for Bradley’s WBO welterweight title. “It is a great opportunity and I’m glad he has the opportunity. I always thought he was stronger [than Manny Pacquiao] and the bigger puncher of the two. I love his chances to win by knockout.”

[LeG00N]

No he isn't

Bradley just isn't that good

[Weebler I]

He defends punches with his face.

Yes, I realise that is ironic criticism given I am a Hatton fan but this guy does not move, he plods around the ring, does not smother his opponent and repeatedly walks into flush punches.

His saving grace was that Bradley did not possess the power to put him away.

[Southpawology]

Far from world class, would love to see him fight the loser of rios/alvarado II

[DoktorSleepless]

He earned the respect to be considered world class. Not elite, but world class. He isn't the most consistent fighter, but he stepped it up when he needed to the most. Bradley is a good and proven fighter so the "x made him look better than what he is" argument doesn't apply here. The type of opponents that make someone look better than he is are the crappy ones, which Bradley isn't.

If Ruslan isn't world class, I have no idea how some of you guys are defining it.

[B-Bomber]

No, not really.

Bradley traded with him, that made him look good but it seems to me he is rather one dimensional.

In my opinion he's the kind of guy who looks good against fighters with a classic brawler approach. I think he'd beat Rios and have a close, spectacular fight with Matthysse, even though the Argentinian would eventually win, either by decision or K.O.

On the other hand he would suffer against mobile guys and effective counter punchers. The Zab Judah who controversially defeated Matthysse would get a clear UD against this guy.Khan or Alexander would give him lot of problems, same goes for Danny Garcia , or even Marquez although he is aging.

[Sparked_26]

He earned the respect to be considered world class. Not elite, but world class. He isn't the most consistent fighter, but he stepped it up when he needed to the most. Bradley is a good and proven fighter so the "x made him look better than what he is" argument doesn't apply here. The type of opponents that make someone look better than he is are the crappy ones, which Bradley isn't.

If Ruslan isn't world class, I have no idea how some of you guys are defining it.

Exactly.

I define it as someone who can be put in with anyone in the division and for it to be a competitive fight.

I suppose for Brit fans it is quite easy to define: Domestic, European, World. If their fights are no longer competitive at Euro level they're world class.

There is no 140 pounder out there who you would say doesn't belong in there with. Obviously if you go up to 147 you have Floyd but that's the only guy.

I think at 140 Ruslan would most likely stop both Khan and Judah.

[DosRounds]

Yeah I'd say he's world level. He'll give a lot of guys challenges

[VatoMulatto]

Yeah I'd say he's world level. He'll give a lot of guys challenges

Win lose or draw he'll be in very exciting fights everytime he steps into the ring.

[PEBBLES!]

it's pretty simple. some guys are able to compete at world class in spite of limitations and glaring flaws, because they possess a world class chin and a world class punch.

one day, when he doesn't take shots so well anymore, Provodnikov won't be able to compete at that level.

that said, Provodnikov's in his prime right now, Bradley deliberately fought Provodnikov's fight and gave him the advantages for half the night, getting hit with way too many clean punches and being rocked multiple times because he was staying in the exchanges too long, and Provodnikov still couldn't clinch a win. so Bradley is pretty damn good at something.