Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Alvarado vs. Provodnikov
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Alvarado has proved that he can comeback from a loss, change his game plan, and beat the only man who has beaten him. Although his boxing skills aren’t perfect, he did enough to keep Brandon Rios off of him to walk away with a decision. Furthermore, he has learned that there are some people he should not trade with. If he watched the Bradley-Provodnikov fight, then he knows what to expect and he knows that he must box this Russian monster. Alvarado can take a punch, but he cannot risk taking too many from Provodnikov.
Prediction: Alvarado
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Ruslan Provodnikov is coming off of a spell binding performance against WBO champ Tim Bradley where he had “Desert Storm” looking helpless and flailing away while on the ropes. Mike Alvarado is coming off of back to back wars with Brandon Rios, where the two split victories. Both fighters are now trying to move into the elite territory of Junior Welterweight fighters. Mike Alvarado’s height and reach advantage will keep Ruslan Provodnikov off of him with a good, stiff jab. Plus, his wars with Brandon Rios have showed us that he can exchange with anyone and come out on top. But, he has to be very aware of Provodnikov’s power. If Provodnikov can get Alvarado into a trading war, I don’t think Alvarado has the boxing skills the likes of Tim Bradley to get out of trouble. Alvarado wins a boxing match, Provodnikov has a great chance to win in a sloppy fight that takes place in the pocket.
Prediction: Alvarado
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
The main event has potential to be one hell of an action fight. If “Mile High” Mike sticks with the plan and is more boxer puncher than brawler, I see this playing out similar to his rematch vs. Brandon Rios. What he can’t allow himself to do is to sit and trade with Ruslan Provodnikov. Provodnikov will need to make this more of a slugfest to give himself the best chance at winning. I think Alvardo will employ a nice stick and just enough movement.
Prediction: Alvarado
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Mike Alvarado proved a lot of doubters wrong in his second fight with Brandon Rios earlier this year. He is in fact disciplined enough to use his boxing ability and better judgement against a stalking brawler. He’s undoubtedly got a fighting spirit and doesn’t mind trading on the inside, but the addition of Rudy Hernandez–who is helping long standing trainer Shann Vilhauer–has helped tremendously and I think will extend his career. Simply put, Ruslan Provodnikov is a beast. I think he’ll make it uncomfortable for Alvarado at times, but in the end “Mile High” is a notch above the Siberian Rocky in terms of skill.
Prediction: Alvarado
