The boxing world is anxiously anticipating the return of “The Machine,” Lucas Matthysse (36-3-0, 34 KOs) as he goes up against the “Siberian Rocky,” Ruslan Provodnikov (24-3-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday, April 18, 2015. The two will meet inside the ring in what is already considered a “Fight of the Year” candidate.
Tickets to this fight have been selling very quickly with a majority of the seats being sold on the very day they went on sale. The Turning Stone Resort and Casino will be at full capacity as everyone wants to witness this amazing showdown.
This is a fight where power will meet power at a very intense level as both fighters are known for the damage they’ve caused to their opponents. The winner in this fight will be the smarter fighter who dominates his opponent and is able to follow the right game plan. Both fighters must come prepared because this fight is absolutely going to demand it.
There will be blood, and lots of it. It’s not everyday that we get two heavy hitters who only know to go after their opponent and obtain a victory at all costs. This is truly a “gem” and it’s been a long time due.
Read on for Lucas Matthysse’s three keys to victory against Ruslan Provodnikov.
http://www.wedgies.com/question/5516ca8a0c85200800000571
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.
2. Box
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Another key for Lucas Matthysse to win this fight is to plain and simply box Ruslan Provodnikov.
Provodnikov is not a good technical boxer, although he can be considered an expert at brawling. Matthysse can box and brawl and if he goes out that night and boxes Provodnikov, he will make it difficult for the Siberian Rocky to adjust. Instead of brawling every minute of every round, Matthysse’s ability to box can help to put him ahead on the scorecards.
As we have seen before in Provodnikov’s recent fights–including his loss to Chris Algieri–Provodnikov can be out boxed.
Matthysse has to be careful while doing this because he could frustrate Provodnikov who then could force him to go toe to toe. Matthysse has to rely on good movement to keep Ruslan off balance and avoid brawling the whole fight.
3. Start Fast/Control the Fight
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
It would be in Lucas Matthysse’s best interest to take control of the fight early on. A quick start could perhaps be the key to victory for Matthysse on April 18.
By being in control he can dictate the pace and determine when he may want to box Ruslan Provodnikov, knocking his initial plan for the fight off the table.
It would be dangerous for Matthysse if Provodnikov were to take control and walk him down in the ring. Since this is a high-risk fight, Matthysse needs to make sure he’s taking advantage of everything he can.
Backing his opponent up against the ropes is also very important. As a matter of fact he needs to do it as much as he can so that once he’s there he can unleash his punches and look to score a KO.
Matthysse cannot let Provodnikov force him into fighting his fight and going toe to toe–that is just suicidal. Matthysse has been knocked to the canvas in previous fights so he needs to be very careful and not put himself in a position where he could risk getting knocked down.
Provodnikov will be looking for a KO, so it’s very important that Matthysse doesn’t give him any huge openings to expose. If Matthysse sticks to his gameplan and doesn’t fall in the Russian’s trap of going toe to toe, he can outsmart him with his boxing skills and experience he’s gained throughout the tough fights he’s been in.
After having given us a tremendous Fight of the Year in 2014, Matthysse is determined to give the boxing world another matchup like they’ve never seen before.
Header photo by Stephanie Trapp
