crown and Pacquiao next
By Alex P. Vidal
Despite his failure to annex the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-lb crown, Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs) deserves to be put in line next versus Manny Pacquiao (54-5, 38 KOs).
In the eyes of some fans who did not score the bout but were excited to watch the Russian perform like Joe Frazer and Mike Tyson, Provodnikov should have been declared the new WBO welterweight champion last March 17 in Carson, California.
But in the eyes of the three judges and some ring experts, Timothy Bradley Jr. (30-0, 12 KOs) clearly dominated the hard-hitting Russian challenger in their 12-round championship tussle that evoked memories of the Julio Caesar Chavez vs Sergio Martinez WBC 160-lb fracas last year.
Bradley was lucky to escape defeat even as he eked out a unanimous decision win to retain the title he wrested on a controversial decision from Manny Pacquiao on June 9, 2012. The unbeaten Bradley, who became the first fighter to upset Pacquiao in the United States since Erik Morales, was on the verge of losing by knockout when saved by the bell in the final stanza.
He won 114-113, 114-113 and 115-112 on the score sheets of the three judges.
HAIRLINE
Bradley secured the hairline win when he used lateral movements and "sweet" science to pile up points in the 7th, 8th and 9th rounds where he was able to damage Provodnikov's left eye. The man who rose to stardom after beating Pacquiao looked like a kindergarten pupil being harassed by a street toughie on his way home in the first and second rounds.
Provodnikov's heavy blows in the second round nearly put Bradley to dreamland. Bradley was saved by the bell twice--in the second and 12th rounds. Bradley was nearly entombed in the final assault where he hit the canvas due to exhaustion and late reaction from Provodnikov's hooks and wallops and was counted by referee Pat Russell. Ten more seconds and Bradley would have gone!
There's no doubt Provodnikov, 29, has the capacity to blow away Bradley, 29, in a rematch. But if Top Rank CEO Bob Arum intends to revive the career of the 35-year-old Pacquiao, the best move is to pit the Filipino buzzsaw versus the deadly Provodnikov either in July or September.
REMATCH
If Provodnikov will roll past the seemingly deteriorating Pacquiao, a rematch with Bradley will give him instant fame and big money. A knockout win over Bradley will qualify him for a duel with Floyd Mayweather or Juan Manuel Marquez.
Provodnikov's style attracts big fans and big promoters. He fights like a bull and attacks with both fists loaded with molotovs. Pacquiao, who failed to deck Bradley despite his superiority in experience and speed, would love to brawl with the heavy hitter from Beryozovo, Russia, who stands five feet and six inches like the Filipino lawmaker from Mindanao.
Although he moves like Ricky Hatton, Provodnikov has the heavier bombs and his left is as deadly as Marvelous Marvin Hagler's left. Whether he is using his brain in the ring remains to be seen. Pacquiao brutally pulverized Hatton in two rounds because aside from not using his common sense, he did not have the superior power capable of neutralizing if not sending fear in Pacquiao's heart.
WARRIOR
Provodnikov eats his opponent's punches and is not intimidated by cut and blood. He is a legitimate warrior in the league of Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Kostya Tszyu, Vinny Pazienza, Orzubek Nazarov, and Arturo Gatti. But his menacing stance and power are not enough. He must penetrate Pacquiao's well-guarded defense and send a signal that he can do what Juan Manuel Marquez did when the Mexican dynamo finished off Pacquiao with a single blow.
Since Bradley would be a common denominator, Pacquiao knows Bradley was never in danger of being blasted to smithereens when they rumbled for 12 rounds. Against Provodnikov, Bradley hanged in the ropes, groped in the darkness and skidded on wobbly legs each time the Russian customer pummeled him with razor and hammer.
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