Ruslan Provodnikov is moving toward the tricky moment of needing to call out his stablemate Manny Pacquiao.
Before that, he can just concentrate on what he does best: throw power punches in a hurry and continue to draw a crowd around his abilities.
Provodnikov (23-2, 16 knockouts) captured the World Boxing Organization junior-welterweight title in October by demolishing Mike Alvarado with two eighth-round knockdowns before Alvarado quit on his stool after the 10th round.
Before that, Provodnikov engaged in the 2013 fight of the year against Timothy Bradley, leaving the former welterweight world champion with a narrow victory — and concussion effects.
Obviously, with that trail of savageness, there weren?t a lot of people willing to fight Provodnikov next until former kick-boxer Chris Algieri (19-0, eight KOs) of Long Island, N.Y., volunteered for the HBO-televised bout Saturday night at 7 p.m. PDT at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. lRelated Boxing promoter Richard Schaefer steps aside as head of Golden Boy
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?It does not bother me,? Provodnikov, 30, said through a Russian interpreter during a recent conference call. ?I’m very loyal to my space in life, and Chris is a great opponent. This is what happened, and this is the way it should have been. I know my time will come.?
Yet, Provodnikov trainer Freddie Roach of Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood said his fighter two weeks ago asked him to have a shot at Pacquiao if no other major opponent can be found.
Roach said in an interview with The Times on Tuesday night that Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum does not believe that Pacquiao rival Juan Manuel Marquez will agree to fight Pacquiao for a fifth time in November.
Before that, Provodnikov engaged in the 2013 fight of the year against Timothy Bradley, leaving the former welterweight world champion with a narrow victory — and concussion effects.
Obviously, with that trail of savageness, there weren?t a lot of people willing to fight Provodnikov next until former kick-boxer Chris Algieri (19-0, eight KOs) of Long Island, N.Y., volunteered for the HBO-televised bout Saturday night at 7 p.m. PDT at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. lRelated Boxing promoter Richard Schaefer steps aside as head of Golden Boy
Sports Now Boxing promoter Richard Schaefer steps aside as head of Golden Boy
See all related 8
?It does not bother me,? Provodnikov, 30, said through a Russian interpreter during a recent conference call. ?I’m very loyal to my space in life, and Chris is a great opponent. This is what happened, and this is the way it should have been. I know my time will come.?
Yet, Provodnikov trainer Freddie Roach of Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood said his fighter two weeks ago asked him to have a shot at Pacquiao if no other major opponent can be found.
Roach said in an interview with The Times on Tuesday night that Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum does not believe that Pacquiao rival Juan Manuel Marquez will agree to fight Pacquiao for a fifth time in November.
