Ruslan Provodnikov

This name uses Eastern Slavic naming customs; the patronymic is Mikhailovich and the family name is Provodnikov.
Ruslan Provodnikov
Руслан Проводников
Statistics
Real name Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov
Nickname(s) The Siberian Rocky
Rated at
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Reach 168 cm (66 in)
Nationality Russian
Born (1984-01-20) 20 January 1984
Beryozovo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 30
Wins 25
Wins by KO 18
Losses 5

Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov (Russian: Руслан Михайлович Проводников; born 20 January 1984) is a Russian professional boxer who held the WBO junior welterweight title from 2013 to 2014. Nicknamed "The Siberian Rocky", Provodnikov is well known as a highly aggressive pressure fighter who possesses formidable punching power and an iron chin.

Personal life

Early life

Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov was born in Beryozovo, a small village in western Siberia to an ethnic Russian father and an ethnic Mansi mother, but identifies himself as Mansi.[1] In an interview, Provodnikov was translated to have said, "I had a lot of trouble as a child so my father introduced me to boxing when I was ten years old".[2] In another interview, Provodnikov was translated to have said, "I got into boxing just because I'm in a small town. There was no boxing there before at all. I get, I use to get punished for fighting, so when I was small my dad took me as soon as a boxing trainer appeared and there was a class. My dad took me there, and I got rewarded for fighting, so that's how I loved boxing."[3] He would regularly make a 1-day trip to train at a gym that was something closer to what a professional boxing gym should be.[4] As an amateur he won 130 of 150 fights.[5] He was discovered in Ekaterinburg by his current promoters and managers, who brought him to the U.S.

Learning English

In an interview, Provodnikov was translated to have said, "Sometimes I feel like it would be helpful to learn a little English. You know, sometimes I have the temptation. Uh, during training camp, I'm actually, it feels better to not know English, because it gets me, uh, a little secluded from everybody and more focused on the training instead of, you know, talking to everybody a lot, and I think that's, that has developed me a lot with my focus, but, uh. During regular life, I would love to communicate more and speak English more. So, you know, it's hard. It's hard to find the time, but hopefully one day I will learn the lang, the language. I would like to do that, definitely."[6]

Other sports

Provodnikov said that he enjoyed playing soccer and playing basketball.[7]

Life for his son

Provodnikov said that he wanted to provide for his son and give his son options in life. Provodnikov said that he was having his son grow up in the same place where he grew up, and he said that he wanted his son to experience the way he lived. Provodnikov said that he wanted his son to play sports and watch less TV and use the internet less.[7]

Life saved by boxing

In an interview, Provodnikov was asked, "What career path would you have chosen for yourself if you were not a boxer?" Provodnikov was translated to have said as a response, "It's really hard to say or predict. Um, I don't think that if I was in box-, if I wasn't in boxing I don't think that you would have ever known that there's such a person exists by the name of Ruslan Provodnikov. The way I look at it, I would probably be in jail or maybe not even alive, if I was not a boxer. Maybe I'd just be somewhere drinking my life away. Um, that's what most people do in the, the place where I live, and, you know, I think boxing saved my life."[8]

Eating meat

Provodnikov said that he enjoyed eating raw meat such as raw moose liver and raw fish, and he said that he believed that eating meat made him strong.[9]

Professional career

Early career

Provodnikov fought several times on ESPN 2's Friday Night Fights and developed a reputation for being an exciting, come forward, pressure fighter. He scored a decision win over Demarcus Corley and lost a controversial decision to Mauricio Herrera.

Provodnikov vs. Bradley

Provodnikov lost a close unanimous decision to Timothy Bradley on March 16, 2013, for the WBO welterweight championship. Provodnikov was considered an easily beatable opponent for Bradley, who was looking for a confidence booster after beating Manny Pacquiao in what was deemed one of boxing's worst decisions. Bradley came out on the attack early, fighting in an uncharacteristically aggressive fashion. Provodnikov made him pay, however, tagging him with hard shots in the first round, and staggering him in the second. Bradley said after the fight that he was concussed by a shot Provodnikov hit him with in the second round.[10] Bradley boxed more conservatively as the fight wore on, winning most of the middle rounds. In the last round, Provodnikov badly hurt Bradley again but Bradley took a knee with just seconds remaining, beating the count and hanging on to win the fight on points. Bradley was impressed by Provodnikov's power and will, saying "he's going to be a world champion someday".[10] The fight was named "2013 Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.[11][12]

Provodnikov vs. Alvarado

Moving back down to junior welterweight to fight Mike Alvarado for the WBO Junior welterweight belt. Provodnikov defeated Mike Alvarado by 10th-round stoppage on October 19, 2013, at the FirstBank Center in Denver, Colorado. Provodnikov was ahead on all three scorecards and had knocked Alvarado down twice in the eighth round. Alvarado then elected to not come out for the eleventh round.[13]

Provodnikov vs. Algieri

Provodnikov faced little-known American Chris Algieri in the first defense of his title on June 14, 2014, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Provodnikov connected with a left hook in the first round that knocked Algieri down and formed a large swelling under the challenger's right eye. Despite scoring two knockdowns in the opening frame, Algieri's footwork and boxing skills prevented Provodnikov from getting into range to land his shots. Provodnikov would go on to lose a controversial split decision.[14]

Provodnikov vs. Matthysse

After dispatching of veteran Jose Luis Castillo in five rounds, in his home country. Negotiations began for a bout with fellow power puncher, Argentine Lucas Matthysse, there was a large amount of hype surrounding the fight coming in. It took place at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York on the 18th of April, and lived up to the hype as the two fighters went toe to toe from the opening bell in a fight of the year candidate. A headbutt caused a deep cut above Ruslan's left eye early in the fight and it begun to distract him straight away. Matthysse utilized his jab and superior boxing skills for most of the bout. Ruslan once again proved to have a granite chin as he took the hardest shots of Matthysse, who is considered to be the hardest puncher in the division and pound for pound one of the hardest punchers in the world. After being outboxed the first few rounds, Ruslan came back in the latter half of the bout, and begun to break down Matthysse, hurting him severely in the 11th round but failed to capitalize, or achieve enough early on and went on to lose a Majority decision. Matthysse broke his right hand in the fight. Provodnikov had a terribly swollen face afterwards, and a deep gash on his eye from the headbutt, he also had black urine (rhabdomyolysis), a result of being hit in his kidneys by the power puncher Matthysse.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
30 fights 25 wins 5 losses
By knockout 18 0
By decision 7 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
30 Loss 25–5 United States John Molina Jr. UD 12 11 Jun 2016 United States Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, US
29 Win 25–4 Mexico Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez TKO 4 (10), 1:40 7 Nov 2015 Monaco Salle des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
28 Loss 24–4 Argentina Lucas Matthysse MD 12 18 Apr 2015 United States Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, US
27 Win 24–3 Mexico José Luis Castillo TKO 5 (12), 0:50 28 Nov 2014 Russia Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia
26 Loss 23–3 United States Chris Algieri SD 12 14 Jun 2014 United States Barclays Center, New York City, New York, US Lost WBO light welterweight title
25 Win 23–2 United States Mike Alvarado RTD 10 (12), 3:00 19 Oct 2013 United States 1stBank Center, Broomfield, Colorado, US Won WBO light welterweight title
24 Loss 22–2 United States Timothy Bradley UD 12 16 Mar 2013 United States Home Depot Center, Carson, California, US For WBO welterweight title
23 Win 22–1 Mexico Jose Reynoso KO 2 (10), 1:52 29 Jun 2012 United States Omega Products International, Corona, California, US Retained WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
22 Win 21–1 United States David Torres TKO 6 (10), 2:53 27 Jan 2012 United States Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, US Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
21 Win 20–1 United States DeMarcus Corley UD 12 5 Dec 2011 Russia DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia Won vacant WBCACBO light welterweight title
20 Win 19–1 Mexico Iván Popoca KO 8 (10), 2:16 15 Apr 2011 United States Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California, US
19 Win 18–1 Russia Vyacheslav Yakovenko TKO 3 (6), 2:43 20 Feb 2011 Russia Viktoria, Berezovo, Russia
18 Loss 17–1 United States Mauricio Herrera UD 12 7 Jan 2011 United States Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, US For vacant IBF North American light welterweight title
17 Win 17–0 Uzbekistan Fayzullo Ahmedov UD 6 16 Oct 2010 Russia Trading-Entertaining Center "Alatyr", Yekaterinburg, Russia
16 Win 16–0 United States Emanuel Augustus TKO 9 (10), 1:50 21 May 2010 United States Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, US
15 Win 15–0 Mexico Javier Jauregui TKO 8 (10), 2:10 21 Feb 2010 United States Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California, US
14 Win 14–0 Argentina Victor Hugo Castro KO 2 (12), 0:30 28 Nov 2009 Russia Sport CSK VSS, Samara, Russia Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
13 Win 13–0 Uzbekistan Mahsud Jumaev RTD 2 (6), 3:00 24 Oct 2009 Russia Sverdlovsk Film Studio, Yekaterinburg, Russia
12 Win 12–0 United States Esteban Almaraz UD 6 20 Mar 2009 United States Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, US
11 Win 11–0 Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Matazimov UD 6 21 Feb 2009 Russia Tennis Centre, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
10 Win 10–0 Russia Sergey Starkov UD 10 3 Nov 2008 Russia Berezovo, Russia
9 Win 9–0 China Wang Jie TKO 3 (8) 22 Aug 2008 China Olympic Village, Beijing, China
8 Win 8–0 United States Brian Gordon UD 6 16 May 2008 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
7 Win 7–0 Puerto Rico Jose Angel Roman TKO 1 (6), 2:28 7 Mar 2008 United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
6 Win 6–0 Russia Vadim Sufiyanov KO 3 (6), 1:07 31 Jan 2008 Russia Casino Vodoley, Yekaterinburg, Russia
5 Win 5–0 Canada Darren Darby TKO 1 (4), 2:12 16 Sep 2007 United States Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, US
4 Win 4–0 United States Willie Diamond TKO 1 (4), 1:46 23 Jun 2007 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
3 Win 3–0 United States Antwon Barrett KO 1 (4), 2:33 28 Apr 2007 United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
2 Win 2–0 Russia Dmitry Toropchin RTD 2 (4), 3:00 1 Feb 2007 Russia Casino Vodoley, Yekaterinburg, Russia
1 Win 1–0 Russia Kirill Artemiev UD 4 3 Dec 2006 Russia DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia Professional debut

Titles in boxing

Regional titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Willy Blain
WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight champion
28 November 2009 – February 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Lucas Matthysse
Vacant
Title last held by
Khabib Allakhverdiev
WBCACBO light welterweight champion
5 December 2011 – January 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Ekapol Singwancha
Vacant
Title last held by
Danny García
WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight champion
27 January 2012 – 16 March 2013
Lost bid for world title
Vacant
Title next held by
Bradley Saunders
World titles
Preceded by
Mike Alvarado
WBO light welterweight champion
19 October 2013 – 14 June 2014
Succeeded by
Chris Algieri

References

  1. "Ruslan Provodnikov on His Origin, His Career, Tim Bradley - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  2. Tila interviews Boxing Champion Ruslan Provodnikov PT. 1/. (2010). YouTube. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from link
  3. Interview with Ruslan Provodnikov (Siberian Rocky) Professional Russian Boxer 2013. YouTube. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from link
  4. Iole, Kevin (2013-10-17). "Ruslan Provodnikov went from Siberian anonymity to must-see attraction thanks to a promoter's whim trip - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  5. "Provodnikov continues comeback against Torres on FNF". RingTV.
  6. RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV BREAKS DOWN JOHN MOLINA JR AHEAD OF POTENTIAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE. (2016). YouTube. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from link
  7. 1 2 Mulvaney, K. Quick Hits: Ruslan Provodnikov. HBO. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from link
  8. Ruslan Provodnikov answers the FIGHT FANS QUESTIONS!. (2015). YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from link
  9. Lieberman, M. (2014). Provodnikov: Eating raw moose liver makes me strong!. Sports News 24. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from link
  10. 1 2 "Timothy Bradley overcomes Ruslan Provodnikov to keep belt - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  11. "RingTV.com poll: Fight of the Year: Bradley-Provodnikov - Ring TV". Ringtv.craveonline.com. 2013-12-29. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  12. Ginn, Leighton (2014-03-18). "Tim Bradley wins BWAA fight of the year honors for Ruslan Provodnikov bout". Desertsun.com. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  13. Groke, Nick. "Mike Alvarado falls by TKO in title fight against Ruslan Provodnikov". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  14. "Provodnikov vs Algieri results: Chris Algieri shocks with split decision win". Bad Left Hook. 2014-06-15. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
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