Tag Archives: provodnikov

Posted on 06/12/2016

Showtime Boxing Results: Zlaticanin makes history, Andrade shines in return & Molina upsets Provodnikov

By: Matthew N. Becher

Live from Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, Showtime sports in associating with Banner Promotions, presented a three fight boxing card.

The first fight of the evening was a historical one, which had Dejan Zlaticanin become the first world champion from the small country of Montenegro.

Photo Credit: Emily Harney/Banner Promotions

In the co-main event, the return of Demetrius Andrade was as good a performance as you can get. Andrade showed no rust in his abilities and put on a brilliant performance. He will look to take this win and attempt a WBC title shot, later this year.

The main event was a fight of the year contender on paper. In the end, it was less brawl and more of a controlled fight, performed by Molina.

Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0 14KO) v. Franklin Mamani (21-2-1 12KO): WBC Lightweight Championship

Both fighters came into the ring looking to make history. Manini attempting to become the first Bolivian to become a world champion, Zlaticanin trying to be the first person from Montenegro to do so.

They both came out throwing punches, trading shot for shot, working the body. Zlaticanin looked to be the heavier hitter and planned to end the fight early if Mamani dared to stay in front of him.

In the third round, Mamani was wobbled with a big shot, going down on a slip. Zlaticanin moved in with a barrage of punches, causing the referee, Charlie Fitch, to step in and put a stop to the fight.

Zlaticanin TKO3 0:54

Demetrius Andrade (22-0 15KO) v. Willie Nelson (25-2-1 15KO): Jr. Middleweight

Andrade has been on a long layoff over the past couple of years, and he proved tonight why he is still a champion level type of fighter. Even though Nelson, who came in at a very tall 6’3”, would be one of Andrade’s toughest opponents, Andrade showed no trouble in landing his punches in bunches. Andrade came out throwing lots of heavy shots and knocking Nelson down at the one minute mark of the first round.

Andrade used great foot work and punches from different angles to keep Nelson covered up and confused. Andrade threw almost double the punches and was extremely sharp in breaking through Nelsons guard.

Nelson really had no answer for the busier Andrade. Andrade again showed why he deserves a shot at the best fighters in the 154lb division, ending the fight with a knock down in the 11th, and two more in the final round, with the referee putting a stop to it before the final bell could ring.

Andrade TKO12 1:38

Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4 18KO) v. John Molina Jr. (28-6 23KO):Jr. Welterweight

Molina Jr. had a 5 inch height advantage and rehydrated from 140 to 160 and both would prove beneficial in tonight’s fight.

In the early rounds, Provodnikov would push the action, trying to get Molina in a corner or against the ropes and go toe to toe. Molina was able to hold his own, but would then use his length to pump out a steady jab, keeping Provodnikov at bay.

The fourth round had an accidental head-butt that opened a cut over Ruslans eye, and provided a target for Molina’s steady one two jab.

When Provodnikov would let his hands go, he could actually stagger Molina, but Provodnikov just never followed up his attack. Molina would end up going back to his jab and resetting the tempo.

In the end, Ruslan wasn’t able to close the distance and stay away from the jab.

Molina used a jab and mixed it up when necessary. It was a one sided fight.

Molina Jr. UD12 116-112, 117-111, 115-113

Posted on 06/09/2016

Showtime Boxing Preview: Andrade v. Nelson; Provodnikov v. Molina Jr.
By: Matthew N. Becher

This Saturday at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in upstate Verona, New York, Showtime Boxing will present three televised boxing matches. The first will include the return of former Jr. Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade. The second, a title fight, for the vacant WBC Lightweight belt and finally the main event, a possible fight of the year contender, between the always exciting John Molina Jr. and “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov.

Demetrius Andrade (22-0 15KO) v. Willie Nelson (25-2-1 15KO): Jr. Middleweight

Demetrius Andrade was on the fast track to a great career. The undefeated fighter out of Rhode Island was beating every fighter they put in front of him. By 2013 he became a world champion, defeating a very tough Vanes Martirosyan to become the WBO Jr. Middleweight titlist. Andrade would defend his title one time in 2014, against Brian Rose, and then subsequently be stripped of his title due to inactivity and problems with his promotional team. Andrade is a former amateur standout and 2008 US Olympian. Besides his fight with Martirosyan, this fight with Nelson will be his toughest to date, and an impressive win could fast track him back to the top of the division, and a possible title shot later this year.

Willie Nelson is no slouch of a fighter. Also sporting a great amateur record, Nelson has a solid professional record with only two losses. After a loss to Vanes Martirosyan in 2014, Nelson has been a bit inactive with only 2 fights since. His two fights though came in the way of big knockouts, one against an undefeated Tony Harrison, and the other against a lesser known opponent in Jonathan Batista. This fight against Andrade could launch nelson as a major player in the 154 lb. division, and it will not be an easy task against the undefeated Andrade, but one that Nelson is very much able to do.

Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0 14KO) v. Franklin Mamani (21-2-1 12KO): WBC Lightweight Title

This belt was recently stripped off of Jorge Linares, due to Linares having a hand injury and not being able to face his mandatory opponent, Dejan Zlaticanin. Dejan is a 32 year old southpaw from the country of Montenegro. He packs some serious power and this is his biggest fight to date. This will only be his second fight in the United States, with most of his matches taking place in and around his native country. Dejan has recent victories over Ricky Burns, Alex Bone and Ivan Redkach. With his brawler type style, Zlaticanin will look to be the aggressor of this fight and make his dream come true of becoming the lightweight champion of the world.

Mamani is the 84th ranked lightweight in the world. The biggest win of his career came against an old DeMarcus Corley in 2013. Mamani has not fought outside his native Bolivia in the last 4 years and has never been on a televised card or fought in the United States. He will definitely have his hands full against the undefeated Zlaticanin, but will have the opportunity to sneak out a win and become a World Champion if he can stick to his game plan and keep the Montenegrin off of him.

Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4 18KO) v. John Molina Jr. (28-6 23KO): Welterweight

What can be said about both these fighters that we do not already know? They are both come forward, punch for punch warriors. Both leave everything in the ring and have the ability to stop any opponent with one punch. Every fight they are in, is a Fight of the Year contender. So what happens when you put them up against each other? Only fireworks we imagine.

Ruslan Provodnikov is entering the end of his career. The former Jr. Welterweight world champion has been in some of the most exciting fights of the last 3 years. He has shared the ring with the likes of Timothy Bradley Jr., Mike Alvarado, Chris Algieri, and Lucas Matthysse. Provodnikov is must watch boxing. He is a stalker, who possesses punishing power in both hands and has literally been known to say that he would rather die in a ring then go down. Provodnikov is looking to make a last attempt at a world championship fight, or at least get a chance to fight some of the bigger names in the division, but first he will have to get past John Molina Jr. to make that a reality.

Molina is 33 and has lost 3 of his last 4 fights. He has knocked out Hank Lunch and lost to Antonio DeMarco. He shocked us all with his come from behind final knockout win against Mickey Bey and went shot for shot against Lucas Matthysse in 2014. Molina is a throwback fighter, which is very similar to his opponent Provodnikov. They have been very friendly in the build up to this fight, but on Saturday night, both will enter the ring, looking to hurt the other.

We expect this fight to live up to the hype. Almost every time these guys get into a fight, it turns into an all-out war. Will one of these men be able to break the others will, because that is what it is going to take. Tune in Saturday at 9pm to see.

Posted on 05/25/2016

Boxing Insider Interview with Joel Diaz
By: Francisco Martinez

After several fights under the guidance of multiple time trainer of the year Freddie Roach, Ruslan Provodnikov felt change was needed. Here’s where 2016 National Boxing Hall Of Fame’s Trainer Of The Year Joel Diaz comes into play. After a divorce like separation between Diaz & Timothy Bradley Jr. it wasn’t long before A level fighters looked to Diaz for help. From Ruslan Provodnikov to a short stint with Victor Ortiz. Joel Diaz is considered a teacher of boxing with a no nonsense approach towards training camp while Looking to make your weakness your strength.

Ruslan Provodnikov admits his defense is his biggest weakness and with Joel Diaz in his corner Provodnikov feels he has greatly improved that flaw in his game “technically and boxing wise I’ve added a lot of different things. Most importantly I’ve increased my defensive skills and that’s going to show in this fight. I’m positive of that…”

BoxingInsider asked Joel Diaz about the improvements he feels Provodnikov has made since being apart of his stable and Diaz feels the same way Provodnikov does regarding his defensive flaws “I don’t just focus on one thing. I know he’s just a fighter who wants to hear the bell and go. If (he) doesn’t listen you gotta get him used to it by repeatedly doing it over and over until he clicks on his own and that’s what he’s been doing. His progress has been great. In his first camp with me every time he sparred he came out with his face all bruised, look at him now, there’s no bruises. Which means he’s avoiding a lot of punches. His defense is a lot better now. That’s one of the main concerns with him. If he can through a fight without taking severe damage to his face he can perform better because once a fighter is cut and bleeding, obviously they’re thinking (about it) and they lose focus…”

BoxingInsider: These are similar style of fighters, what can we expect? When he fought (Lucas) Matthysse we were suppose to see that fight of the year but as we saw Matthysse resorted to boxing. Is he ready if (John) Molina does that, if he decides to box instead of accommodate the brawling?

Joel Diaz: One thing that I do in my camp with my fighters is, I prepare for the best and the worse. I prepare for any change. I don’t know if you’ve seen it in some of my fighters, I always make adjustments every round. Everything comes from the gym. I put everything in my gym. In the workout we do. I have fighters that are gonna come in and brawl with him. I have fighters that are gonna box with him. Even when I do mitts with him I move around on him and I teach him how to cut the corners, how to put them in a corner. How to cut the ring. As well against brawlers, how to give them angles. I put everything together. When we go to the fight he has gone through everything. He’s seen it all in the gym so he’s ready

In 2013 Joel Diaz faced off against Ruslan Provodnikov as he was in Timothy Bradley’s corner. From the first bell the fans would witness a fight that would go on to be awarded Fight Of The Year by Boxing Writers Association Of America & Ring magazine, The Bible Of Boxing. A long awaited and anticipated rematch between Bradley & Provodnikov is something the fans are demanding. However this time around given the rematch happens we would see Joel Diaz on the opposite corner facing a fighter he trained for over a decade and shared more than tears of joy & sorrow alongside him.

Joel Diaz initial reaction when asked how a rematch would play out between Bradley & Provodnikov with him in Provodnikov’s corner he quickly opened up emotionally about potentially facing Timothy Bradley one day.

“That’s a tough question for me, you know. Honestly, we know what happened in the first fight and me working the corner is my job, it’s my work and if I have to work against Bradley it would really bother me because I like the guy. I like Bradley, he’s a good guy. He’s one of the most humble fighters I’ve ever had in my career as trainer. Having to put punishment on Bradley and me being the master mind of the plan to beat Bradley in a fight like that especially doing damage and watching Bradley get hurt by a fighter like this, it would really hurt me. Honestly, I mean it from the heart. Bradley being a good guy, his kids, you know, I wouldn’t want to see it. If a fight like that happens I know I would lose sleep. I stress over every fight and just being in the opposite corner against a fighter that I spend more than 10 years with and we lived good times, bad times together it would really bother me. It would be something that I wouldn’t know how to handle”

This June 11th in New York the Siberian Rocky is set to face John Molina Jr. in a fight that doesn’t need much be said or written about it’s self explanatory. What hangs in the balance is what everyone has their eyes on. If Ruslan Provodnikov gets past John Molina Jr. there’s a big possibility we could see a Timothy Bradley rematch. One the fans have been longing for.

So tune in this June 11th live in New York on Showtime to witness one is a sure shot for candidate of Fight Of The Year. Use #ProvodnikovMolina on social media to follow all coverage on fight.