?Bradley is going to run from Ruslan (Provodnikov) just like he did against Manny,? said trainer Freddie Roach in the lead up to his fighter?s title attempt against WBO welterweight titleholder Timothy Bradley.
The fight is set for March 16 live on HBO from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and Roach, a 2012, Hall of Fame inductee, is speaking boastfully following what he says has been a great training camp with Provodnikov.
?We are having an outstanding camp,?
?Ruslan has given me everything I have asked for in training. The fact that Ruslan has been Manny Pacquiao?s lead sparring partner his past two camps has given Ruslan an outstanding foundation from which to work. When Manny was preparing to defend his title against Bradley last spring I said any of Manny?s sparring partners could beat Bradley. Ruslan will to prove that on March 16.?
In June of last year, Bradley was awarded a very controversial split-decision win over Roach?s other fighter, Pacquiao, which recorded the Pac Man?s first loss since March 2005 and awarded the WBO title to Bradley.
?I?ve heard Bradley say he?s going to take the fight to Ruslan. He said the same thing before his fight with Manny. And when he feels Ruslan?s power, like when he felt Manny?s, it?s going to be a remake of Forrest Gump. ?Run, Timmy, run!? This isn?t about Ruslan finishing what Manny started. It?s about duplicating it.?
Provodinkov (22-1, 15 KOs), a native of Siberia, will making his first jump to 147 after spending time in the junior-welterweight division and engaging in TV friendly fights.
?I?m very happy and very satisfied with everything I have been doing with Freddie,?
?I know my fans have seen me on ESPN Friday Night Fights fighting a certain way, but on March 16, they will see a different Ruslan inside the ring. My work with conditioning coach Gavin MacMillan has made me stronger and faster and my endurance is tremendous. I have never felt so good.?
