Who?ll rescue and save this Russian hero?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Apr 2015
WHEN Manny Pacquiao was asked two years ago if he would bother to fight Ruslan Provodnikov, the Filipino boxing superhero declined candidly. Pacquiao explained that there were many fights ahead which should suite the devil-may-care style and incredible toughness of the Russian warrior called the Siberian Rocky.
Provodnikov, who also trains under Freddie Roach, was facing a bright future, Pacquiao said. This was in November 2013 when Pacquiao staged a successful comeback against Brandon Rios in Macau. Provodnikov was a ringside guest of promoter Bob Arum.
It was obvious though that Pacquiao, although he would not admit it openly, did not like to end up destroying Provodnikov, who always left his armor in the dugout whenever he would wage war inside the boxing ring.
**
On Sunday, Pacquiao saw for himself what could?ve happened had he called Provoknikov?s challenge.
In a furious and cruel slugout against Argentine star Lucas Matthysse, Provodnikov, definitely uncovered, lost it by majority decision. He got cut over the left eye early, but kept plodding through a gory and bloody mask, to put his foe in trouble with a thunderous combination in the 11th round.
Provodnikov was outpointed but never outfought.
He was destroyed but never defeated.
**
What?s rather odd though was the instant suggestion of Provodnikov?s manager with Banner Promotions for a rematch; as though the carnage had failed to uplift the sadists among the crowd in Verona, New York.
Enough is enough.
?Some close bitterly fought contests such as this do not require a reprise,? wrote Joel Callaghan for the Cruelest Sport. ?The fight concluded with a sense of having reached its ultimate limits.?
Matthysse will move on to bigger fights, Callaghan added, Provodnikov will be frozen with this fight??obstinate, disfigured, unmistakable.?
**
The morning after, the Associated Press reported that the full toll of the punishment in Provodnikov?s body was manifested in the bloody urine sample he submitted in the post-fight doping test. Ruslan posted a photograph of his sample to his Instagram account.
Cried Provodnikov: ?I want to say sorry to my fans. I lost and I felt I could?ve won.?
He said it was the only other time in his career (the first one was in his bout against Tim Bradley) when he did his doping test and ?I had black urine.?
Provodnikov said he hoped everybody saw what they expected from him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sun, 07 Sep 2025McCormack Stops Parra in 9
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Who is Nico Walsh?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
Sat, 06 Sep 2025WEIGHTS FROM LOS MOCHIS: Eduardo Nuñez - 130 Lbs., Christopher Diaz - 129.6 Lbs.
Sat, 06 Sep 2025“THE HOMECOMING” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Sat, 06 Sep 2025‘SUGAR’ NUNEZ VS. ‘PITUFO’ DIAZ – PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Sat, 06 Sep 2025