From sparring to fighting – the journey of Pacquiao’s sparring partner – Boxing Special
Not many fighters get the chance to make it big but Ruslan Provodnikov did. Nobody yet knows who Ruslan is but soon he will be a known professional once he goes head to head with the current WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley.
Provodnikov is a Russian fighter who spars with Filipino fight sensation Manny Pacquiao. Yes, he is the one who took Pacquiao’s huge blows when the Filipino was training for June 9, a fight against unbeaten fighter Timothy Bradley. Back in those days, Provodnikov
was badly hurt. He asserted that Pacquiao indeed is fast and his punching power is ‘amazing’. Now, he is looking forward to take on the man who took the WBO title from Pacquiao, so to say. It was a controversial split decision that declared Bradley the winner,
leaving the Filipino fight king dismal in the ring.
Pacquiao then had the chance to go head to head with Bradley again to reclaim his title but he did not. He instead went onto face Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time. The fight is scheduled for December 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Now, it seems like Pacquiao’s sparring partner is up for the showdown against Bradley. He has already challenged the titlist and chances are that the fight will happen.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity and I have trained my whole life for this. Bradley is a great fighter, but not only do I know I can win, but I will bring the best out of him,” said Provodnikov in an interview with ESPN’s Dan Rafael.
“Our fight will be one to remember,” he added.
Even Provodnikov’s promoter Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions, believes the Russian will defeat Bradley.
“He will beat Bradley. Based on all the feedback we get after Ruslan’s fights, he is one of, if the not the most, television friendly fighter other there,” said Pelullo.
“A fight with Bradley would be a great fight for the fans,” he added.
Provodnikov spent around two months in Pacquiao’s camp but then he had to move to his own camp. Now, he believes sparring with Pacquiao has paid-off and he is glad he did it for the Filipino fighter.
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