For fight fans disappointed with some of the technical ‘chess matches’ showcased the last few weeks, brace yourself for a battle between two gritty, hard-hitting warriors who love to bang.
Alvarado vs Provodnikov Info
When: Saturday, October 19, 2013 Venue: 1ST BANK Center
Location: Denver, Colorado Broadcast: HBO (U.S.)
Time: 9pm EST / 9am (Sunday) Manila (Actual fight time might be 30-60 minutes later due to the undercard bout that will be broadcast)
Promoter:Top Rank
Division: Junior Welterweight Rounds Scheduled: 12
Title: Interim WBO (Alvarado defending)
Odds: Mike Alvarado is the favorite at (-130); Ruslan Provodnikov (+110) is a slight underdog at (+110)
In one corner will be current Jr. Welterweight Champion Mike Alvarado (34-1, 23 KO’s) who will look to defend his title in front of raucous fans on his home turf. In the other corner will be the challenger, the hard-charging Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KO’s), nicknamed ‘Siberian Rocky’ for his all-out, blood-and-guts ringside mentality.
Mike Alvarado is coming off one of the biggest victories of his career having defeated Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) in March for the title he now holds. The March bout was a rematch of the thrilling brawl the pair engaged in a few months prior. In that fight, their first meeting, Alvarado suffered his only loss to date via a 7th round technical knockout.
Rios vs Alvarado 2 Courtesy Top Rank Realizing the mistakes he committed in the first bout, Mike executed more of a ‘boxing’ approach in the rematch, employing more in-and- out movement to nutralize the onrushing Rios’ power.
Mike chose to brawl in short spurts rather than stay in the pocket and slug continuously toe-to-toe.
Alvarado’s modified game plan worked and the Colorado native was able to outpoint the previously-unbeaten Rios, effectively winning a unanimous decision in yet another crowd-pleasing affair.
Saturday night, Alvarado must follow a similar script when he faces a hard-punching machine in Provodnikov.
Courtesy of Carlos Sacriste
Alvarado, three inches taller than his Russian foe, is the rangier fighter and will enjoy a 3.5 inch reach advantage (69.5′ to 66′). As a result, expect the champion to use his size advantages by fighting on the outside and picking away at Ruslan from a safe distance.
Ruslan has demonstrated difficulty against fighters who box effectively at long-range, such as Mauricio Herrera (20-3, 7 KO’s) who outboxed the Russian in January 2011 and cruised to a close points win.
The Colorado native and his team may have the blueprint for defeating Ruslan but implementing such a strategy may prove difficult as Alvarado has a tendency to succumb to the lure of a brawl, and may be even more inclined to stand toe-to-toe given he’ll be fighting at home.
Expecting Mike to box from the outside in an attempt to pile-up points while minimizing hard exchanges, Provodnikov stated:
Courtesy of Carlos Sacriste “He [Mike] is going to try and box me and I’m ready for anything. I can also box. I am not only a brawler and we can compete in any style that he chooses.” “I think if Mike chooses to box it will be better for me because I think Mike is a better brawler than he is a boxer.”
“I think we are going to fight no matter what. If I can make Timothy Bradley fight me I don’t think there is anyone that won’t end up fighting me.”
Look for Ruslan to place relentless pressure on Alvarado and attempt to cut the ring off and force Alvarado to fight him at close quarters. He’ll seek to punish him and take Mike’s legs away early via thunderous body punches.
Ruslan, who survived a difficult childhood in frigid Siberia, is the epitome of a warrior and will give every ounce he has not only himself, but for his countrymen and his family.
Tom Hogan/Hogan Photos He demonstrated his rugged determination as well as a solid beard and debilitating power against the hard-nosed Tim Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) last March, badly hurting the WBO Welterweight Champ multiple times and scoring two knockdowns in the process.
Tim won a controversial decision but Ruslan gained the respect of the boxing world – and this title shot opportunity – with his impressive showing.
Alvarado vs Provodnikov will be an action-packed bout between two amazing warriors. Stylistically, it doesn’t get much better than this. Tomorrow night’s clash may be epic.
Perhaps Alvarado’s Trainer and Manager, Henry Delgado, summed it up best on what to expect Saturday night stating”
“You can throw styles, and tactics out the window because when these guys start mixing it up, it’ll be a war, and you’re going to see fireworks.”
“Get a good seat because it’s going to be a war.”
To honor his hometown of Denver, Mike Alvarado will sport his beloved Denver Broncos’ colors of orange and blue on his trunks and gloves.
The 6-0 Broncos are red hot this season; Will Alvarado be Saturday night?
Alvarado vs Provodnikov Stats & Facts Mike is 33 Alvarado didn’t start boxing until the age of 20 and finished with a 36-5 amateur record. Alvarado was a two-time Colorado high school wrestling champion The interim WBO jr welterweight champion won his first 32 pro bouts His only loss to date is via a controversial 7th Round stoppage against Brandon Rios in 2012; Some believe the referee’s decision to halt the bout was premature. That loss was avenged months later.
Ruslan is 29 Freddie Roach, the hall of fame trainer, will be in Provodnikov’s corner According to Ruslan: “I had a little over 150 amateur fights. I had around 130 wins and 20 losses.” Eight of the Russian’s last 10 wins have come via stoppages Provodnikov was seemingly very close to knocking out Timothy Bradley in Rounds 1,2 and 12 of their March 2013 bout
