Ruslan Provodnikov vs. John Molina
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Ruslan Provodnikov walking through a bazillion of Lucas Matthyses’ power shots has proven to me that Provodnikov is part boulder.
You can’t knock him out. Not with an uppercut, not with a sledgehammer, not with a 50 caliber bullet. Neither can John Molina.
I just don’t see how Molina can pull off the upset. He’s too sluggish to outbox Provodnikov, and Provodnikov is too strong for him to brawl with. Molina’s best chance is to hope after years of tremendous pummeling, Provodnikov’s cinderblock chin finally crumbles.
Even then, Provodnikov will is unbreakable. He’s truly a fighter willing to die in the ring. I give Molina until the middle rounds until Provodnikov breaks him down.
Provodnikov should target Molina’s lanky body, and do maximum damage with the looping right.
Still, Molina is an action fighter. Expect him to go out swinging for the fences. Provodnikov by TKO.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
This fight will be a battle of the chins, and history shows Ruslan Provodnikov has the superior chin. Both fighters will attack, but I see Ruslan taking everything Molina offers without wilting.
But I don’t think Molina can take what Ruslan offers, and the pressure will eventually take its toll, leading to a TKO victory for Ruslan in the latter half of the fight.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Ever since leaving Freddie Roach, Ruslan Provodnikov has seemed to be eager to improve and refine his boxing skills with his new trainer, Joel Diaz.
By taking a step in another direction to improve himself as a fighter, this drastic move on Provodnikov’s part only means he wants to win by any means necessary and do anything to posses all of what it takes to be an elite fighter.
Recent training videos of Provodnikov in camp display an improvement of refined sharp aggression. The way Provodnikov has been looking in camp is simply spectacular.
Although John Molina has shown in the past he has what it takes to take on tough opposition, he has always fallen short when it comes to facing big names including Adrien Broner, Humberto Soto, and Lucas Mathysse.
Up against a relentless pressure fighter like Provodniko, I see Molina putting up a good fight that might even end up being a candidate for fight of the year, but he will ultimately succumb to Provodnikov’s aggression and fall short of a victory yet again.
Provodnikov’s will to win will be a very tough thing to break that night.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
This is going to a violent affair. Ruslan Provodnikov is a swarming puncher and John Molina’s power always shows up when he needs it.
Molina can be outboxed but he’s dragged fun fights out of men much more talented than he and pulled off spectacular comebacks. The Mickey Bey KO comes to mind as well as the stoppage of Hank Lundy—only Molina and Terence Crawford have truly beaten Lundy.
But while Molina can stay competitive, he’s still yet to pull out a win at the elite level and Ruslan is just that. Fight of the Year candidates adorn the Russian’s ledger too. I see him outlasting and pulling away from the American in the championship rounds.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Provodnikov
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
John Molina’s right when he asserted that Ruslan Provodnikov has been in more “wars” than he. Provodnikov has taken some considerable punishment facing opponents with similar in-ring philosophies like Lucas Matthysse and Mike Alvarado.
Molina got a later start with considerably less amateur experience and then turning pro at age 24. This implies that in his view, he is the “fresher” fighter in this bout. Despite it, it’s Provodnikov that is the odds makers favorite.
However, it’s been proven that using range and movement against him can get you the win–if you can take his power.
While Provodnikov is straight-forward stylistically, Molina has a few more layers. He can box a bit and packs a solid punch, which means he has the tools necessary to win this matchup. I just doubt he’ll be able to stick to a game plan that involves range and defense, as his nature has proven otherwise.
Also, Provodnikov is relentless with his pressure. That’s bad for Molina’s chances, but great for fight fans. Provodnikov runs Molina down by the middle rounds and knocks him out.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Provodnikov
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, former world champion Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) takes on heavy-hitting contender John Molina (28-6, 23 KOs). Provodnikov vs. Molina will be the main event of the three-bout Showtime card and with much anticipation is being labeled, “Fight of the Year in the making.”
Stylistically, this is a great matchup and I am expecting an all-out war. Molina has substantial advantages in both height and reach, but other than that, both fighters have similar records, they have both lost to Lucas Matthysse, they have comparable KO percentages, and they are only one year apart in age.
While I’m not counting Molina out, I think Provodnikov’s aggressive style will be too much for him. I think this is going to be an extremely close and competitive fight in the beginning rounds, but Provodnikov’s continuous grind forward and relentless thudding shots will wear Molina down by the sixth round.
I see both fighters leaving it all in the ring, but I am predicting a late-fight stoppage and Provodnikov ending the night with his arms raised.
Prediction: Provodnikov
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is an interesting matchup. I got a chance to talk to Joel Diaz last October, right when he had started training Ruslan Provodnikov, and he told me the plan was to incorporate more boxing and angles to extend Provodnikov’s shelf life.
A matchup against a guy like John Molina–who is taller, loves to bang and can punch–seems like some shitty match making. But, I’m not on the payroll, so I love this fight because it has a good chance at being a rock ’em, sock ’em type of affair.
I think Molina can make things difficult for Ruslan if he maintains distance and pops the Russian with a stiff jab as he tries to make his way inside, but I just don’t think that a long-term, disciplined boxing plan is on Molina’s mind.
I think early on, each guy may try to introduce some new wrinkles, but a fire fight will eventually break out. I’ll take Provodnikov, because he’s a relentless machine, but Molina may shock some folks.
Prediction: Provodnikov
