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Ruslan Provodnikov battered and bruised his way to capture the WBO interim belt away from the always resilient Mike Alvarado, in Alvarado’s home suburb of Broomfield, CO. Alvarado tested out the waters with a boxing style similar to his rematch with Brandon Rios, but the pressure forward Provodnikov broke through with thundering shots, already going to Alvarado’s body.
Early throughout the fight Alvarado was able to keep away utilizing his jab and lateral movement while the sometimes flat footed Russian seemed to be a half step behind. Although implementing a good game plan, Alvarado seemed to be flustered by the always attacking Provodnikov and looked stunned after some strong left hooks came through his defense.
Things looked up for Alvarado during the seventh, opening up a cut over the eye of Provodnikov, from a punch while also bleeding from the nose from earlier in the fight. Still the fighter he is, the Russian came back strong in the eighth, punishing Alvarado enough to drop him twice, the first time the Denver-area native has ever touched the canvas.
Continuing the onslaught in the 9th, Provodnikov caused Alvarado to swell grotesquely over his right eye. Wobbled and shaken by the end of the round, the noticably concussed Alvardo needed to be guided to his corner by referee Tony Weeks. Weeks, noticing Alvarado’s poor condition, asked the Colorado fighter if he wanted to continue three times to same answer, no. The Siberian Rocky broke the iron willed Mile High fighter that night. The fans, taste of bittersweet on their tongues, witnessed a great candidate for FOTY.
A Russian партия “party” ensued as the newly crowned WBO 140 World Champion rejoiced with interim trainer Marvin Samodio and team, sans Freddie Roach, who is in the Philippines training his star pupil, Manny Pacquaio for his upcoming bout with Oxnard’s Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios. Helping fill the void was the presence of his mother. The first time she has ever seen her son fight professionally. The proud son screamed “mama!” before she entered the ring, a very unusual, yet cool sight to see.
During the post fight interview, through a translator, Providnikov jaunted how he fulfilled his claim to break his opponents will. While the celebrations continued in the ring, Alvarado and his team slinked away to his dressing room, justifiably disappointed in himself and the outcome. Reluntact to do an interview, Alvarado finally conceded and was asked what exactly happened. After a moment, he concluded that he didn’t fight the right fight and the better man won, ever so classy.
Provodnikov of Beryozovo, Russia is now 23-2 with 16 knockouts, while Alvarado of Colorado is 34-2 with 23 knockouts.
Early throughout the fight Alvarado was able to keep away utilizing his jab and lateral movement while the sometimes flat footed Russian seemed to be a half step behind. Although implementing a good game plan, Alvarado seemed to be flustered by the always attacking Provodnikov and looked stunned after some strong left hooks came through his defense.
Things looked up for Alvarado during the seventh, opening up a cut over the eye of Provodnikov, from a punch while also bleeding from the nose from earlier in the fight. Still the fighter he is, the Russian came back strong in the eighth, punishing Alvarado enough to drop him twice, the first time the Denver-area native has ever touched the canvas.
Continuing the onslaught in the 9th, Provodnikov caused Alvarado to swell grotesquely over his right eye. Wobbled and shaken by the end of the round, the noticably concussed Alvardo needed to be guided to his corner by referee Tony Weeks. Weeks, noticing Alvarado’s poor condition, asked the Colorado fighter if he wanted to continue three times to same answer, no. The Siberian Rocky broke the iron willed Mile High fighter that night. The fans, taste of bittersweet on their tongues, witnessed a great candidate for FOTY.
A Russian партия “party” ensued as the newly crowned WBO 140 World Champion rejoiced with interim trainer Marvin Samodio and team, sans Freddie Roach, who is in the Philippines training his star pupil, Manny Pacquaio for his upcoming bout with Oxnard’s Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios. Helping fill the void was the presence of his mother. The first time she has ever seen her son fight professionally. The proud son screamed “mama!” before she entered the ring, a very unusual, yet cool sight to see.
During the post fight interview, through a translator, Providnikov jaunted how he fulfilled his claim to break his opponents will. While the celebrations continued in the ring, Alvarado and his team slinked away to his dressing room, justifiably disappointed in himself and the outcome. Reluntact to do an interview, Alvarado finally conceded and was asked what exactly happened. After a moment, he concluded that he didn’t fight the right fight and the better man won, ever so classy.
Provodnikov of Beryozovo, Russia is now 23-2 with 16 knockouts, while Alvarado of Colorado is 34-2 with 23 knockouts.
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