1. Go to the Body
Photo by Stephanie Trapp
As we all know Ruslan Provodnikov can take a good punch or two–or ten. He has a chin of steel and therefore will be taking Matthysse’s punches from the first rounds fairly well.
Matthysse hits inmensely hard and seems to have mastered the art of throwing a perfect body shot that paralyzes his opponents. Since Ruslan is used to only going forward and brawling with his opponent, it is very likely he will plan on doing the same with Matthysse.
Ruslan is used to taking serious punches to the upper body and head, some of which can be avoided, but his defense fails to deliver.
If Matthysse looks to attack Ruslan to the body he has a big chance of hurting him and this will be a key factor for Matthysse in the fight. Matthysse should attack Ruslan to the body as much as he can, and progressively they should do their work and slow Provodnikov down.
In his last fight against Roberto Ortiz, Matthysse landed an excruciating body shot that forced Ortiz down and out. The body shots will debilitate Ruslan and after Matthysse has caused him enough damage he can unload his heavy hands with powerful combinations in order to go for the kill.
