On Saturday night, Ruslan Provodnikov proved he’s for real by pounding the highly formidable Mike Alvarado into submission before a sold out crowd in front of the latter’s hometown in an entertaining bout of attrition.
Heading into the championship rounds, Provodnikov, who had hurt Alvarado multiple times prior to the tenth, was ahead by 5 points on the FightSaga card.
It was clear Alvarado needed a knockout or several knockdowns to win.
In the final round, Provodnikov pitted his larger foe against the ropes and uncorked damaging blows that sent Alvarado reeling.
Looking stronger and much fresher, Ruslan pummelled Mike, landing a thudding left hook and overhand right to stagger his oppoent at the bell.
At the round’s conclusion, a dazed Alvarado mistakenly staggered to a neutral corner before making his way back to his team, situated in the red corner.
Rudy Hernandez, Mike’s chief second, utterered, “We gotta stop this fight Mike. You have nothing left.” Seconds later, referee Tony Weeks forcibly interjects and asks Alvarado if he wants to continue. When the brave and courageous fighter answered ‘No,’ Weeks stopped the bout.
How good is Mike Alvarado?
The Colorado native entered Saturday’s bout with the following credentials:
a) WBO jr welterweight champion b) 34-1 record, with 23 knockouts c) a victory over elite fighter Brandon Rios and d) the distinction of having defeated every fighter he’d faced (given he avenged the loss to Rios)
Ruslan Provodnikov’s victory over Alvarado not only makes the Russian boxing’s newest star, it elevates Timothy Bradley to No. 3 on FightSaga’s pound-for-pound list because the latter boasts a recent victory over Ruslan who further enhanced Tim’s resume with last week’s performance.
Sergio Martinez, who previously held that spot, slipped to No.4.
Why is Bradley rated ahead of Martinez?
Pound for Pound Ratings are determined on: Wins against quality opposition (most important) Frequency of fighting Strength of wins (is he dominating or winning split decisions) What has he done lately? (Accomplishments over the past two years are weighted higher than wins many years ago)
Bradley’s opponents, not counting Manny Pacquiao who most thought defeated Tim, have been more impactful than Martinez’s and Tim’s opposition is more impressive, especially since 2011.
Since wowing fight fans by defeating Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik in 2010, Martinez has defeated quality-but-untested opposition: Serhiy Dzinziruk, Darren Barker, Matthew Macklin, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Martin Murray.
Have any of Martinez’s last six opponents triumphed over an ‘elite’ fighter? Perhaps one can make a case for Darren Barker who defeated Daniel Geale earlier this year.
Now let’s turn to Tim Bradley.
The fighter dubbed ‘Desert Storm’ has defeated:
Miguel Vazquez (then 18-1) Current IBF lightweight champion; Recently defeated Mercito Gesta
Junior Witter (then 36-1-2) Former WBC jr weltweight champion
Kendall Holt (then 25-2) Former jr welterweight champion
Nate Campbell (then 33-5-1) Former IBF lightweight champion
Lamont Peterson (27-0) Former IBF/WBA jr welterweight champion; Defeated Amir Khan
Luis Carlos Abregu (then 29-0) He’s now 35-1; Only loss is to Bradley
Devon Alexander (then 21-0) Current IBF welterweight champion; Defeated Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse
Ruslan Provodnikov (then 22-1) Current WBO jr welterweight champion; Has a KO win over Mike Alvarado
Juan Manuel Marquez (then 55-6-1) Boxing legend who KO’d Manny Pacquiao less than a year ago and is, as of this writing, still ranked in the Top 10 on most respected media’s pound-for-pound list
Manny Pacquiao (then 54-3-2) While most, including FightSaga, consider Bradley a loser against Pacquiao, Manny was ranked No. 2 at the time. After the bout and despite the verdict, Manny remained at No. 2 while Tim stayed in the top 10.
Bradley, in addition to benefitting from his two very impactful wins this year, was the biggest beneficiary of PacMan’s loss to Marquez given he defeated Marquez in the Mexican’s next fight. Had Pacquiao defeated Marquez, Manny would be No. 2 followed by Ward and Bradley, respectively.
Timothy Bradley has a victory over eight current or previous world champions, boxing’s newest star and a fight legend who is still ranked in the top 6.
His resume, especially given his recent accomplishments, is more impressive than Sergio Martinez’s. And while Martinez was more dominant in his victories, Bradley’s opposition has been better.
FightSaga, now concurring with RING Magazine and a few others, has slotted Tim Bradley in the No. 3 spot.
