Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Provodnikov ready for top jr. welterweights

PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine)- WBO number-two ranked Jr. welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov is looking to take on any of the champions or top contenders in his next bout and feels he is just an opportunity away from becoming a world champion.

Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KO’s) of Beryozovo, Russia has won five fights in a row which include four impressive knockouts and has been tabbed by many boxing insiders as one of the most exciting fighters in the world.

"We are looking for the biggest fights now for Ruslan," said Provodnikov’s promoter Artie Pelullo of Philadelphia-based Banner Promotions.

"We are targeting the likes of Danny Garcia, Juan Manuel Marquez, Mike Alvarado or Lamont Peterson, we feel that Ruslan is not only worthy of those opportunities but we have all the confidence that he would beat any of them."

Provodnikov is coming off of an impressive second round stoppage over Jose Reynoso on June 29.

"Ruslan has built a nice reputation and he has thrilled many fans during his appearances on ESPN 2 and now he is eying a world championship," Pelullo said.

"Ruslan has grown to a different skill level in the past year. Training at the Wild Card Gym and sparring more than 70 rounds with Manny Pacquiao as well as other world class fighters like Amir Khan, has really paid off more than we even hoped for," said Provodnikov’s manager Vadim Kornilov. "Ruslan is ready to fight anybody in his division and after the Amir Khan vs. Danny Garcia fight he was quoted saying that he was "anxious to fight Danny Garcia and he knows it would be a very exciting fight because of their similar brawler styles."

Provodnikov is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and he is in agreement with Pelullo and Kornilov.

"Ruslan has been sparring with Pacquiao and Khan and he does very well with them and I believe he is ready for a big bout.  He is very durable and improved so much in the last Pacquiao camp that I feel he is ready for the big time," said Roach.

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