Provodnikov/Alvarado aftermath- Going into the match, I felt that Alvarado would be able to beat Provodnikov, if only he would be doing so by boxing the ??Rushing Russian?? from a safe distance. I knew however that Alvarado would at times have to walk towards the mouth of the storm to land enough right crosses to make his foe back completely off. But the ??Syberian Savage? would do no such thing, he ate shots like skittles and was determined to land his heat on the way in. He figured that just as long as he could land his shots, then he really had no issue with taking some of Alvarado?s shots in return. Point blank, Provodnikov knew that his punches were damaging Alvarado more than Alvarado?s punches were hurting him. As I mentioned in my prediction piece, Ruslan is at his best when he squares up on you up close. His short punches are extremely hazardous to your health, one has to turn the tables on Ruslan and hunt the hunter. Provodnikov cannot punch with the same fire when being backed up, but even then one would be playing a dangerous game of Russian Roulette. Props to Ruslan for sticking to his game plan, he forced his will upon Alvarado and wore him out with heavy pressure. Seeing Alvarado sit there on his stool at the end of the tenth round, I saw the look of a fighter that deep down wanted to continue but his body could no longer put out the type of energy needed to continue. When referee Tony Weeks stepped to Mile High Mike and asked if he was ok, Mike?s eyes answered for him, forcing Weeks to save Alvarado from himself. With the big win, Ruslan Provodnikov is now the WBO junior welter champion of the world. PHOTO: Chris Farina Top Rank
