Ruslan Provodnikov

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Mikhailovich and the family name is Provodnikov.

Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov (Russian: Руслан Михайлович Проводников; born 20 January 1984) is a former Russian professional boxer and politician. In boxing he competed from 2006 to 2016, and held the WBO junior welterweight title from 2013 to 2014. He challenged once for the WBO welterweight title in 2013 against Timothy Bradley, in a fight that was named Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Ruslan Provodnikov Руслан Проводников
Born	(1984-01-20) 20 January 1984 (age 40) Beryozovo, Soviet Union
Nationality	Russian
Other names	The Siberian Rocky
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light welterweight Welterweight
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Reach	168 cm (66 in)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	30
Wins	25
Wins by KO	18
Losses	5

During the prime of his career, Provodnikov was known as a highly aggressive pressure fighter possessing formidable punching power, stamina and an exceptionally durable chin.

Personal life

Provodnikov said that he wanted to learn English.^[1] Provodnikov was translated to have said, "I think boxing saved my life", as part of a translation of a statement Provodnikov made in response to an interviewer's question about what career he would have chosen if he was not a boxer.^[2]

Early life

Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov was born in Beryozovo, a small village in Western Siberia to an ethnic Russian father and an ethnic Mansi mother, but identifies himself as Mansi.^[3] Provodnikov said that he used to street-fight as a child, so his dad took him to a boxing trainer when he was ten years old to box.^[4][5] He would regularly make a 1-day trip to train at a gym that was something closer to what a professional boxing gym should be.^[6] As an amateur he won 130 of 150 fights.^[7] He was discovered in Ekaterinburg by his current promoters and managers, who brought him to the U.S.

Other sports

Provodnikov said that he enjoyed playing football and basketball.^[8]

Life for his son

Provodnikov said he wanted to provide for his son and give his son options in life. He said he was having his son grow up in the same place where he did, and that he wanted his son to experience the way he lived. He said he wanted his son to play sports and watch less TV and use the internet less.^[8]

Eating meat

Provodnikov said that he enjoyed eating raw meat such as raw moose liver and raw fish, and he said that he believed that eating meat made him strong.^[9]

Professional career

Early career

Provodnikov fought several times on ESPN 2's Friday Night Fights and developed a reputation for being an exciting, come forward, pressure fighter. He scored a decision win over Demarcus Corley and lost a controversial decision to Mauricio Herrera.

Provodnikov vs. Bradley

Provodnikov lost a close unanimous decision to Timothy Bradley on March 16, 2013, for the WBO welterweight championship. Provodnikov was considered an easily beatable opponent for Bradley, who was looking for a confidence booster after beating Manny Pacquiao in what was deemed one of boxing's worst decisions. Bradley came out on the attack early, fighting in an uncharacteristically aggressive fashion. Provodnikov made him pay, however, tagging him with hard shots in the first round, and staggering him in the second. Bradley said after the fight that he was concussed by a shot Provodnikov hit him with in the second round.^[10] Bradley boxed more conservatively as the fight wore on, winning most of the middle rounds. In the last round, Provodnikov badly hurt Bradley again but Bradley took a knee with just seconds remaining, beating the count and hanging on to win the fight on points. Bradley was impressed by Provodnikov's power and will, saying "he's going to be a world champion someday".^[10] The fight was named "2013 Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.^[11][12]

CompuBox Stats (General)

Boxer	Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Bradley	Landed / Thrown	27/74	28/80	21/56	48/107	47/118	38/103	18/73	33/71	39/92	12/65	26/101	10/60	347/1000
	Percent	36%	35%	38%	45%	40%	37%	25%	46%	42%	18%	26%	17%	35%
Provodnikov	Landed / Thrown	24/69	38/97	2/15	12/37	19/54	34/84	15/36	6/26	16/56	13/42	24/95	15/65	218/676
	Percent	35%	39%	13%	32%	35%	40%	42%	23%	29%	31%	25%	23%	32%

Provodnikov vs. Alvarado

Moving back down to junior welterweight to fight Mike Alvarado for the WBO Junior welterweight belt. Provodnikov defeated Mike Alvarado by 10th-round stoppage on October 19, 2013, at the FirstBank Center in Denver, Colorado. Provodnikov was ahead on all three scorecards and had knocked Alvarado down twice in the eighth round. Alvarado then elected to not come out for the eleventh round.^[13]

Provodnikov vs. Algieri

Provodnikov faced little-known American Chris Algieri in the first defense of his title on June 14, 2014, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Provodnikov connected with a left hook in the first round that knocked Algieri down and formed a large swelling under the challenger's right eye. Despite scoring two knockdowns in the opening frame, Algieri's footwork and boxing skills prevented Provodnikov from getting into range to land his shots. Provodnikov would go on to lose a controversial split decision.^[14]

Provodnikov vs. Matthysse

After dispatching of veteran Jose Luis Castillo in five rounds, in his home country. Negotiations began for a bout with fellow power puncher, Argentine Lucas Matthysse, there was a large amount of hype surrounding the fight coming in. It took place at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York on the 18th of April, and lived up to the hype as the two fighters went toe to toe from the opening bell in a fight of the year candidate. A headbutt caused a deep cut above Ruslan's left eye early in the fight and it began to distract him straight away. Matthysse utilized his jab and superior boxing skills for most of the bout. Ruslan once again proved to have a granite chin as he took the hardest shots of Matthysse, who is considered to be the hardest puncher in the division and pound for pound one of the hardest punchers in the world. After being outboxed the first few rounds, Ruslan came back in the latter half of the bout, and began to break down Matthysse, hurting him severely in the 11th round but failed to capitalize, or achieve enough early on and went on to lose a Majority decision. Matthysse broke his right hand in the fight. His urine sample, discoloured black due to rhabdomyelosis, was visible in a picture posted to his Instagram after the fight.

Provodnikov vs. Rodriguez

On 7 November, 2015, Provodnikov faced Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez. The former champ knocked out the previously unbeaten Rodriguez in round four.^[15]

Provodnikov vs Molina Jr

On 11 June, 2016, Provodnikov faced John Molina Jr. Provodnikov lost in his Showtime debut via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight in favor of Molina Jr, 112-116, 113-115 and 111-117.^[16]

Professional boxing record

30 fights	25 wins	5 losses
By knockout	18	0
By decision	7	5

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
30	Loss	25–5	John Molina Jr.	UD	12	11 Jun 2016	Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
29	Win	25–4	Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez	TKO	4 (10), 1:40	7 Nov 2015	Salle des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
28	Loss	24–4	Lucas Matthysse	MD	12	18 Apr 2015	Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
27	Win	24–3	José Luis Castillo	TKO	5 (12), 0:50	28 Nov 2014	Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia
26	Loss	23–3	Chris Algieri	SD	12	14 Jun 2014	Barclays Center, New York City, New York, US	Lost WBO light welterweight title
25	Win	23–2	Mike Alvarado	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	19 Oct 2013	1stBank Center, Broomfield, Colorado, US	Won WBO light welterweight title
24	Loss	22–2	Timothy Bradley	UD	12	16 Mar 2013	Home Depot Center, Carson, California, US	For WBO welterweight title
23	Win	22–1	Jose Reynoso	KO	2 (10), 1:52	29 Jun 2012	Omega Products International, Corona, California, US	Retained WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
22	Win	21–1	David Torres	TKO	6 (10), 2:53	27 Jan 2012	Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, US	Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
21	Win	20–1	DeMarcus Corley	UD	12	5 Dec 2011	Palace of Sporting Games, Yekaterinburg, Russia	Won vacant WBC–ABCO light welterweight title
20	Win	19–1	Iván Popoca	KO	8 (10), 2:16	15 Apr 2011	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
19	Win	18–1	Vyacheslav Yakovenko	TKO	3 (6), 2:43	20 Feb 2011	Viktoria, Berezovo, Russia
18	Loss	17–1	Mauricio Herrera	UD	12	7 Jan 2011	Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, US	For vacant IBF North American light welterweight title
17	Win	17–0	Fayzullo Ahmedov	UD	6	16 Oct 2010	Trading-Entertaining Center "Alatyr", Yekaterinburg, Russia
16	Win	16–0	Emanuel Augustus	TKO	9 (10), 1:50	21 May 2010	Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, US
15	Win	15–0	Javier Jáuregui	TKO	8 (10), 2:10	21 Feb 2010	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
14	Win	14–0	Victor Hugo Castro	KO	2 (12), 0:30	28 Nov 2009	Sport CSK VSS, Samara, Russia	Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
13	Win	13–0	Mahsud Jumaev	RTD	2 (6), 3:00	24 Oct 2009	Sverdlovsk Film Studio, Yekaterinburg, Russia
12	Win	12–0	Esteban Almaraz	UD	6	20 Mar 2009	Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, US
11	Win	11–0	Abdulaziz Matazimov	UD	6	21 Feb 2009	Tennis Centre, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
10	Win	10–0	Sergey Starkov	UD	10	3 Nov 2008	Berezovo, Russia
9	Win	9–0	Wang Jie	TKO	3 (8)	22 Aug 2008	Olympic Village, Beijing, China
8	Win	8–0	Brian Gordon	UD	6	16 May 2008	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
7	Win	7–0	Jose Angel Roman	TKO	1 (6), 2:28	7 Mar 2008	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
6	Win	6–0	Vadim Sufiyanov	KO	3 (6), 1:07	31 Jan 2008	Casino Vodoley, Yekaterinburg, Russia
5	Win	5–0	Darren Darby	TKO	1 (4), 2:12	16 Sep 2007	Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, US
4	Win	4–0	Willie Diamond	TKO	1 (4), 1:46	23 Jun 2007	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
3	Win	3–0	Antwon Barrett	KO	1 (4), 2:33	28 Apr 2007	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
2	Win	2–0	Dmitry Toropchin	RTD	2 (4), 3:00	1 Feb 2007	Casino Vodoley, Yekaterinburg, Russia
1	Win	1–0	Kirill Artemiev	UD	4	3 Dec 2006	Palace of Sporting Games, Yekaterinburg, Russia

References

1. In a YouTube video titled, "RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV BREAKS DOWN JOHN MOLINA JR AHEAD OF POTENTIAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE", which was published on May 27, 2016, Vadim Kornilov, Provodnikov's translator, translated Provodnikov to have said, "Sometimes I feel like it would be helpful to learn a little English. You know, sometimes I have the temptation. Uh, during training camp, I'm actually, it feels better to not know English, because it gets me, uh, a little secluded from everybody and more focused on the training instead of, you know, talking to everybody a lot, and I think that's, that has developed me a lot with my focus, but, uh. During regular life, I would love to communicate more and speak English more. So, you know, it's hard. It's hard to find the time, but hopefully one day I will learn the lang, the language. I would like to do that, definitely." This quote by Provodnikov's translator starts at the 2:35 mark of the video, and the quote by Provodnikov's translator ends at the 3:04 mark of the video.
2. In a video titled, "Ruslan Provodnikov answers the FIGHT FANS QUESTIONS!", which was published to YouTube on April 14, 2015, an interviewer asked Provodnikov, "What career path would you have chosen for yourself if you were not a boxer?" Vadim Kornilov, Provodnikov's translator, translated Provodnikov's response as, "It's really hard to say or predict. Um, I don't think that if I was in box-, if I wasn't in boxing I don't think that you would have ever known that there's such a person exists by the name of Ruslan Provodnikov. The way I look at it, I would probably be in jail or maybe not even alive, if I was not a boxer. Maybe I'd just be somewhere drinking my life away. Um, that's what most people do in the, the place where I live, and, you know, I think boxing saved my life." The interviewer's question starts at the 0:52 mark of the video, and the interviewer's question ends at the 0:56 mark of the video. Provodnikov's translator's quote starts at the 1:27 mark of the video, and Provodnikov's translator's quote ends at the 1:53 mark of the video.
3. "Ruslan Provodnikov on His Origin, His Career, Tim Bradley - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
4. In a video titled, "Tila interviews Boxing Champion Ruslan Provodnikov PT. 1", which was published to YouTube on May 20, 2010, the subtitles for Provodnikov's speech said, "I had a lot of trouble as a child so my father introduced me to boxing when I was ten years old". This quote is in the video's subtitles that start at the 0:53 mark of the video, and the quote ends at the 1:08 mark of the video.
5. In a video titled, "Interview with Ruslan Provodnikov (Siberian Rocky) Professional Russian Boxer 2013", which was published to YouTube on April 13, 2013, Vadim Kornilov, Provodnikov's translator, translated Provodnikov to have said, "I got into boxing just because I'm in a small town. There was no boxing there before at all. I get, I use to get punished for fighting, so when I was small my dad took me as soon as a boxing trainer appeared and there was a class. My dad took me there, and I got rewarded for fighting, so that's how I loved boxing." This quote from Provodnikov's translator starts at the 0:39 mark of the video, and this quote ends at the 0:53 mark of the video.
6. Iole, Kevin (2013-10-17). "Ruslan Provodnikov went from Siberian anonymity to must-see attraction thanks to a promoter's whim trip - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
7. "Provodnikov continues comeback against Torres on FNF". RingTV.
8. Mulvaney, K. Quick Hits: Ruslan Provodnikov. HBO. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from link
9. Lieberman, M. (2014). Provodnikov: Eating raw moose liver makes me strong!. Sports News 24. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from link
10. "Timothy Bradley overcomes Ruslan Provodnikov to keep belt - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
11. "RingTV.com poll: Fight of the Year: Bradley-Provodnikov - Ring TV". Ringtv.craveonline.com. 2013-12-29. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
12. Ginn, Leighton (2014-03-18). "Tim Bradley wins BWAA fight of the year honors for Ruslan Provodnikov bout". Desertsun.com. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
13. Groke, Nick. "Mike Alvarado falls by TKO in title fight against Ruslan Provodnikov". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
14. "Provodnikov vs Algieri results: Chris Algieri shocks with split decision win". Bad Left Hook. 2014-06-15. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
15. Sukachev, Alexey. "Ruslan Provodnikov Powers Past Rodriguez in Four". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
16. "Provodnikov vs Molina Jr - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2021-05-13.

External links

• Boxing record for Ruslan Provodnikov from BoxRec (registration required)
• Ruslan Provodnikov - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Willy Blain	WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight champion 28 November 2009 – February 2010 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Lucas Matthysse
Vacant Title last held by Khabib Allakhverdiev	WBC–ABCO light welterweight champion 5 December 2011 – January 2012 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Ekapol Singwancha
Vacant Title last held by Danny García	WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight champion 27 January 2012 – 16 March 2013 Lost bid for world title	Vacant Title next held by Bradley Saunders
World boxing titles
Preceded by Mike Alvarado	WBO light welterweight champion 19 October 2013 – 14 June 2014	Succeeded by Chris Algieri
Awards
Previous: Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao IV	The Ring Fight of the Year vs. Timothy Bradley 2013	Next: Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina Jr.
	BWAA Fight of the Year vs. Timothy Bradley 2013
Previous: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Márquez IV Round 5	The Ring Round of the Year vs. Timothy Bradley Round 6 2013	Next: Tommy Coyle vs. Daniel Brizuela Round 11