Photo edit by Keystone Boxing
Ruslan Provodnikov (24-3, 17 KOs) is a come forward slugger who can punch through a brick wall, which is why his upcoming clash with Lucas Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) promises to be a fight of the year candidate. That would give Provodnikov his second such honor.
Provodinkov’s fight-to-the-death battle with Timothy Bradley in March 2013 was overwhelmingly considered the fight of the year for 2013.
The fact that Matthysse likes to give it as much he can take it makes this an intriguing matchup. When he looks across and sees the Argentine Machine standing in the other corner of the ring, Provodnikov may think he is looking at a spitting image of himself.
Read on for the three keys to victory for Ruslan Provodnikov.
1. Finish the Job
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
There was a common theme in Ruslan Provodnikov’s two most recent losses to Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri. Provodnikov had both men seriously hurt, but failed to finish them off and as a result allowed his opponents to take the fight away from him and ultimately sway the judges to rule in their favor.
Provodnikov must be a shark in that ring. When he senses even the slightest hint of blood, Provodnikov must open his jaws wide and bite away any life left in the Argentine fighter.
In his fight with Bradley, Provodnikov walloped him so hard in the first round that Bradly clearly didn’t know what hit him. Although the first-round knockdown was called a slip by the referee, the damage was done. Bradlely managed to stand, but was out on his feet.
Provodnikov hurt Bradley again in the second round with heavy right hands that almost ended the fight. But almost doesn’t count. Provodnikov allowed Bradley to get back in the fight and he was taking rounds away from the Ruslan.
Somehow the fight managed to get to the 12th round and Provodnikov allowed himself to be in a position where he needed a knockout to win.
Provodnikov used his left hook to knock Bradley from one side of the ring to the other and eventually scored a knockdown with just 15 seconds left in the fight. Bradley got up and took home the win–and a concussion.
In his fight with Algieri, which was supposed to be a tune up/showcase bout to get him in front of Manny Pacquiao, Provodnikov scored two early knockdowns only to end up losing a split decision.
Provodnikov blasted Algieri with a left hook and then a vicious uppercut to badly injure Algieri’s right eye swollen shut. Through it all, Algieri weathered the assault and out boxed Provodnikov and won the fight.
Neither Bradley nor Algieri ever really hurt Provodnikov, but in the case of Lucas Matthysse where 34 of his 36 wins have come by way of knockout, if Provodnikov gives him an inch the Argentine is libel to take a mile and knock his head off in the process.
There is no disputing Provodikov’s pure punching power. They key to winning this fight is apply the same pressure he did when he dismantled Mike Alvarado and beat him into submission.
If Provodnikov does not finish the job then he will allow Matthysse to do it for him; and unlike Bradley and Algieri, “The Machine” will not be doing it on points.
2. Keep the Punches Short & Tight
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images
Lucas Matthysse might be the hardest puncher Ruslan Provodnikov has ever fought so it is critically important Provodnikov keeps his punches close and on the inside to avoid getting a counter punch in return.
Otherwise, Matthysse will have plenty of openings to land his power punches and hurt Provodnikov.
Provodnikov found success against Mike Alvarado when he pummeled Alavardo near the ropes in the eighth round of their bout. Provodnikov landed a furious combination, but never swung wild or reckless.
Provodnikov has amassed a reputation for being a heavy-handed puncher so he can afford to fight on the inside and keep the punches short and to the point.
3. Don’t Get Outworked In the Middle Rounds
Photo by Ed Mulholland
In his losses to both Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri, Ruslan Provodnikov started strong but faded in the middle rounds, which allowed both opponents to win rounds and take the fight away. If Provodnikov does not end the fight with an early knockout, he must maintain the same level of aggression throughout the middle and late rounds.
Danny Garcia was able to dominate the later rounds against Lucas Matthysse, almost shutting him out from Round 7 on. Provodnikov must not get flustered if Matthysse lands a big shot or become frustrated if Matthysse decides to not trade with him.
Garcia clearly was bothered by Matthysse’s power in the early rounds, but he never gave in and didn’t stop applying the pressure until he ultimately closed Matthysse’s eye shut.
Provodnikov has the power to inflict the same damage Garcia did or worse as long as he does not stop coming forward.
