Perhaps multiple division world champion and future first ballot hall of famer Miguel Cotto will temporarily sidestep Juan Manuel Marquez for Ruslan Provodnikov?
According to BoxingScene, promoters for both fighters have discussed the possibility of Cotto vs Provodnikov at welterweight for June 18th at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Cotto, who lost his lineal middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez last fall, would be forced, at least temporarily, to make a weight he hasn’t seen in years should the bout materialize with a 147 lb official weigh-in cap.
Why would Team Cotto opt to face Provodnikov instead of agreeing to partake in a higher money, higher profile bout with Juan Manuel Marquez, a fighter with more juice than Ruslan?
Apparently, Team Cotto is uncomfortable with Marquez’s alleged rehydration limit request, should Cotto vs Marquez take place. Hence, both fighters could meet the weight 147 lb limit for the weigh-in yet Cotto could enter ring as high as 160 lbs, some 10-12 lbs heavier than the naturally smaller Marquez.
Cotto vs Provodnikov – A good move? Ruslan is tough, fearless and always exciting. And, just as important to Team Cotto, he’s smaller than Cotto and technically limited. For Miguel, the fight would serve as an excellent style match-up and solid choice, especially given the good name and reputation Provodnikov has. Ruslan is fun to watch, and a favorite among hardcore fans.
And as in a presumptive Cotto vs Marquez bout, the Puerto Rican would be the strong favorite.
Miguel vs Ruslan would lack the fanfare of Cotto vs JMM but would generate enough interest to ensure handsome paychecks on both ends.
As for the Russian, specifically, this bout would serve as another opportunity to catapult himself to boxing’s upper eschelon. So long as he’s not embarrassed, a loss wouldn’t banish him from other subsequent high-profile match-ups as there would be no shame in losing to an all-time great who’s naturally bigger at this stage.
And with an upset, of course, Ruslan’s stock would undoubtedly surge. Boxing, like life sometimes, is about opportunities. Getting a chance to face a fighter of Miguel Cotto’s stature would certainly be a bigger “opportunity” for Provodnikov at this stage of his career than Marquez.
As a result, the Russian is not likely going to be as picky as JMM with regards to the purse split and rehydration limit.
