Key #1 for Chris Algieri Stay Off the Damn Ropes
By Lou Catalano
Chris Algieri has the unenviable task of facing Ruslan “I’ve Tasted Human Flesh” Provodnikov, who is fresh off his breaking of Mike Alvarado.
Algieri has exactly zero percent chance to win if he allows Provo to pressure him out of the center of the ring. He needs to move, punch, circle, punch, and move some more.
He should think of the center of the ring as a toasty jacuzzi full of supermodels, and the corners and ropes as a frozen wasteland surrounded by Satan’s nastiest crew of demons.
Provodnikov, for all of his fury, can certainly be outboxed. While Algieri doesn’t possess wrecking-ball power, he should be able to land punches fairly easily given his height and reach advantages, coupled with the fact that Ruslan is insulted if you don’t hit him.
If he can keep Provo off balance and on the mat logo, he can win this fight.
Key #1 for Ruslan Provodnikov Keep Pressuring
By Gabe Polanco
Ruslan Provodnikov is well known for his brawling style. His overaggressive and mauling fighting style overcomes most of his opponents and makes him one of the most fan friendly fighters in the sport. There is a reasoning for his madness of taking two to give out one, because that one punch could knock the daylights out of most opponents.
Chris Algieri is a boxer, pure and simple. He works well with space and can keep jabbing his way in. Provodnikov has had problems with pure boxers, such as Mauricio Herrera and Timothy Bradley. If he pressures Algieri to the point where he can’t breath and can’t get into his boxing rhythm where his strengths lie, then it will be a short fight.
Provodnikov needs to come out from the opening bell and just attack, but he needs to do so intelligently. Algieri isn’t known for his power, but he is weirdly tall for the 140-pound division. Standing at 5’10, he can keep the shorter Provodnikov away with his jab. Provodnikov has to set up with his jab to get inside and continue to pressure Algieri.
