In my career. This time Ruslan's rival was one of the strongest boxers of our time, Argentinean Lucas Matisse. The fight was very brutal. Conductors received numerous injuries. However, Ruslan preferred an examination in Yekaterinburg to American clinics. Well, before the examination, the athlete spent an hour with the KP journalists.
- The fight with Lucas was difficult, but it went all 12 rounds. Have you changed tactics since then? If yes, why?
To win (laughs)! This fight was very tough. Before that, I didn’t care what happened to me in the ring, and at what cost the victory would come. And then for the first time I was scared for myself. When, after the fight, I was taken to the hospital for stitching up my eye and for an examination, I really thought: “What if something happens to me ?!” It's scary... The first half of the fight didn't go well for me. I missed the liver. It was very painful. Lucas started to finish me off. And when I already thought that the end had come, the character took over. I began to say to myself: "Be patient, fight." That was enough. I couldn't break. Because I had great support. Fans sent poems, drawings, video messages. When you inspire so many people, you can't give up...
Was Lucas' victory fair?
To be objective, yes. I missed one or two rounds. Lucas broke everyone he fought. Even in those fights that he lost. I lost to the best! I knew that this is one of the most hitting and dangerous boxers. I consciously took risks without fear. In the first half of the fight, he quickly calculated my tactics. In the second - I began to maneuver more. This helped me. Now my team has to analyze this fight. The words have already been heard: “We did not change anything in tactics, and we were miscalculated. This is our mistake." So, most likely, we will change the coaching staff. I'm stronger and smarter than Lucas as a boxer. I could win it.
- Is a revenge expected?
Everyone wants to see a rematch! Imagine what we did there! And how many more people will we gather! There are already talks about making the broadcast of the revenge payable.
- Maybe it makes sense to spend it in Russia?
We fought on neutral ground. It was fair. I think if revenge is carried out, then it will also be on neutral territory. The conditions must be equal.
However, after such hard fight, you flew home almost immediately. Why didn't the US get tested?
In the US, I passed the mandatory examination. After the fight, we came to the hospital, they took an MRI, checked for clots and so on. But I felt great. So we decided to go home. A more in-depth examination will take place in Yekaterinburg within two to three days. So far, health is fine. Pah-pah.
- What fee did you receive for the fight?
For some reason, everyone is interested in my well-being. But this is purely personal. Compared to the damage I take and the money, it's not that much. A lot when you get $120 million for a fight. In my case, there is not even a conversation about a million. But it's not about the money. When simple people write to you who are inspired by your fights, you enter the ring just for this.
- Have you ever wondered how you managed to rise to world heights?
You have to be hungry to plow like that. When a person is full, shod, he has no motivation to deny himself everything. That's how you become champions. Name me any athlete and I will tell you that he had a hungry childhood. Mike Tyson, our Russian athletes Yagudin, Plushenko ... If I hadn’t plowed like that, then I wouldn’t have left the ring with my feet.
- Would you send your child to professional boxing?
I think the son himself should decide this when he becomes an adult. He is now six, but he is already engaged in boxing. True, so far only once a week. On the day of my fight, he also had competitions. And he won. In addition, he swims once a week, acrobatics three times, but loves boxing the most. He asks himself. I support him morally. I bring up in it the correct boyish concepts. He must grow up to be a man. And this means not to whine, to be able to endure and not let yourself be offended.
How did you get started in boxing? Did you encounter bullies as a child?
Yes, I was a bully. My childhood determined my future. I grew up on the street and fought a lot. As a result, at the age of 10, my father brought me into boxing, because it was useless to fight me ...
- Why did you fight?
It was the hungry 90s. I tried alcohol, cigarettes, substance abuse early. In those years, many people did this. In addition, I am a Mansi by nationality. But our children are cruel. Teased often: Khan, Chukchi. Honor had to be defended. Parents were called to school, older brothers came. And then I got into boxing. First impression: I can fight, but they praise me for it! And at competitions they also give gifts! I was in seventh heaven! The street ceased to exist for me. At school I studied poorly, there I was never a favorite. And then they waited for me, praised me. I like it.
- What are your plans now?
We'll rest for five or six months. Morally and physically. Let's recover. To not be in a hurry.
- You didn’t think to write a book, since your example is so inspiring?
We now have a non-reading generation. It is better not to write books, but to do real things, to inspire by personal example. I try to attend children's tournaments and open training as much as possible. In Nizhny Tagil, a hall named after me is opening in an orphanage. From America, we have now sent them equipment and inventory. It's nice. So as long as I have the opportunity to make youth better, I will do it. Let others write books.
Help "KP"
Ruslan Provodnikov was born on January 20, 1984 in the village of Berezovo, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. He started boxing at the age of 10. Provodnikov had 150 fights in the amateur ring. Won 130 victories. Today Ruslan performs in the first welterweight weight class.
Titles: WBO intercontinental champion (2009, 2012), WBC champion (2011), WBO world champion (2013 - 2014).
*WBO - World Boxing Organization – approx. ed.
* WBC - World Boxing Council.
Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov is a Russian boxer, WBO world champion in 2013 and 2014, he was born on January 20, 1984 in the village of Beryozovo. In the press, he is often referred to as "Russian Rocky" or "Siberian Rocky". Nationality athlete Mansi. In 2016, he moved away from the world of big boxing, but interest in Ruslan did not subside. He assures that he can return at any moment, just now he has other activities as a priority. There were ups and downs in the fate of the athlete, but they only made him stronger. During his career, he participated in 150 fights, of which 130 ended in victory. Most often, the boxer won by knocking out opponents.
Childhood and early career
The future world champion was born in a small urban-type settlement, the population of which was no more than 7 thousand people. Since childhood, Ruslan has been involved in fights with peers, and his parents did not like it. That is why at the age of 10 he was signed up for boxing. The father personally took his son there to distract him from the yard squabbles.
Provodnikov's first coach was Evgeny Vakuev. In many ways, he influenced the boy, instilled in him zeal and love for sports. But a few years later the family moved to Izluchinsk, so the coach had to be changed. This time, Stanislav Berezin, master of sports of the Russian Federation, took up the education of the young man.
Ruslan's first high-profile victory took place in 2000. He took part in amateur tournament juniors, held in Greece. There, the young man easily bypassed all rivals, taking a prize. In 2005, he went to Nizhnevartovsk for the World Boxing Cup among oil countries. After several victories, the athlete lost in the quarterfinals. But he did not despair, but only continued to train.
AT professional boxing Provodnikov appeared only in December 2006. He fought his compatriot Kirill Artemiev, who was also a debutant. After all rounds Ruslan became the unanimous winner. Two months later, he participated in a duel with Dmitry Toropchin. During the break between rounds, the opponent refused to continue the fight.
At 22, Provodnikov changed his coach. This time he began to collaborate with Buddy McGirt. Together they moved to the USA, Ruslan's next fights took place there. He participated in three fights, each of which ended in the first round with an unconditional victory. They were followed by 12 more wins.
First defeat
Provodnikov became a real star of professional boxing. But after that, he entered the ring with the American Mauricio Herrera and lost to him in the 12th round. The reason for this was the gaps in protection, as the boxer later stated. Over the following months, he directed all his efforts to improving his defensive technique.
The first loss did not unsettle the athlete, and soon he organized for himself next fight. This time the fight took place in the village of Berezovo, where Ruslan was born. He fought with Vyacheslav Yakovenko, the opponent was knocked out already in the third round. To consolidate his success, Provodnikov went to the United States to meet with the undefeated Mexican Ivan Popoka. In April 2011, a fight took place that lasted eight rounds. It ended with the victory of Ruslan.
On December 5, 2011, the boxer met with former champion world by DeMarcus Corley. The fight took place in Yekaterinburg, it was not easy for both athletes. The American carefully prepared, he deliberately acted at a distance, preventing Ruslan from approaching. At the end of the fight, the Russian was seriously injured - a cut in the eye area. He managed to win using atypical tactics.
Best fights
In January 2012, Provodnikov became the international champion in the welterweight category. This title went to him after defeating David Torres. At the same time, the boxer decides to change coaches again. Instead of McGirt, Freddie Roach started working with him. He immediately began preparing the ward to win the world title. To do this, Freddie helped Ruslan get into training camp Manny Pacquiao.
In 2012, two more important fights took place. The athlete ahead of schedule won against David Torres and Jose Reynoso, becoming the WBO champion. After that, Timothy Bradley became interested in him. The next year they met in the ring, the fight lasted 12 rounds. There were several moments when Timothy was close to defeat, but in the end he managed to win. Provodnikov left the ring with a cut in his left eye, later he was hospitalized. The fighter was diagnosed with amnesia and concussion.
In October 2013 Ruslan fully recovered his strength. He went to fight world champion Mike Alvarado. Thanks to toughness and pressure, the Russian was able to break the American. After the tenth round, Mike refused to enter the ring, the victory was awarded to Provodnikov.
On June 14, 2014, another significant duel took place. This time, the little-known American athlete Chris Algieri became the opponent of the boxer. In the first rounds, the advantage was clearly on the side of Ruslan, but during the whole fight Chris won more rounds. The decision of the judges was mixed, but the majority voted against Provodnikov.
After losing the title of champion, the boxer participated in only a few fights. In 2015 he defeated Jesus Rodriguez but lost to Lucas Matisse. This fight was the most difficult in the career of an athlete. On June 11, 2016, Ruslan entered the ring in last time according to his coach. It was a fight with John Molina Jr., whom the Russian lost in the 12th round. He considered his defeat fair.
In ordinary life, a fighter is a pleasant and kind person. He smiles discreetly in an interview, talks about his childhood and love for his native village. Ruslan spoke respectfully about all opponents, he leaves all the negative emotions in the ring. The athlete loves the poetry of Vysotsky and Yesenin. Little is known about his personal life, but journalists claim that he has a wife and son. At every boxer's fight, you can see a support group in the face of his mother and friends.
Ruslan Provodnikov's career |
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Ruslan Mikhailovich Provodnikov |
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Siberian Rocky, Russian Rocky, Siberian Rocky |
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Russia |
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Berezovo - Russia |
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Berezovo, KhMAO, Russia first welterweight (up to 63.503 kg) |
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right-sided |
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Documentary film about Ruslan Provodnikov "Do It Yourself"
Biography of Ruslan Provodnikov
Ruslan Provodnikov is a Russian professional boxer in the first welterweight category.
World titles won:
WBO Intercontinental welterweight (2009)
WBC Asian Boxing Council Welterweight (2011)
WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion (2012)
WBO Welterweight Champion (2013-2014)
Ruslan Provodnikov was born in the village of Berezovo, with a population of about 7 thousand people. Mansi by nationality. At the age of 10, his father took him to a boxing club to distract Ruslan from the street, where he was involved in fights with other children. Provodnikov's first coach was Evgeny Vakuev, he was engaged in the sports education of Ruslan and instilled in him a love for boxing. For several years he lived and studied in Izluchinsk, where, studying under the guidance of the honored coach of Russia Stanislav Berezin, he reached the master of sports of the Russian Federation.
Characteristics and features of Provodnikov
Performs in the first welterweight category (up to 63.503 kg). Height: 168 cm. Stand: right-handed. Puncher - 62% of wins by knockout. 29 fights in the professional ring - 169 rounds.
Psychologically, Ruslan is very purposeful and ready to go to the end without sparing his strength or health in order to achieve his goal.
One of Provodnikov's well-established fighting styles is the constant pressure and pressure of the opponent to the ropes or into the corner, for subsequent holding powerful combinations blows.
Provodnikov likes to fight hard at close range, throwing punches alternately with the opponent until the opponent's defense gives way and the opponent falls.
Manner of blows - combinations of blows for 2 - 4 blows. Favorite and powerful blows Ruslan has a left and right hook.
The disadvantage of Provodnikov is poor movement and work on his feet, an extra risk is the consent to the mutual exchange of powerful blows.
After protracted attacks - octopuses, Ruslan gets tired pretty quickly and he needs 2 - 3 (depending on the duration and power of the attacks) rounds to recuperate. During these 2 - 3 rounds, Ruslan practically does not strike and misses a lot - he takes over. As a result, it gives the opponents the opportunity to win on points. It was because of this that he lost to Algieri and Timothy Bradley.
Ruslan's amateur career
In his amateur career, Ruslan Provodnikov fought 150 fights, of which he won 130 victories, he is the master of sports of the Russian Federation. In 2000, he won the Eurocadet Junior Championship, an amateur tournament held in Greece. In 2005, Ruslan lost in the quarterfinals of the Boxing World Cup among oil countries.
Professional career of Ruslan Provodnikov
On December 3, 2006, Ruslan Provodnikov made his debut in professional boxing. The fight took place in the welterweight category, the opponent was the Russian boxer Kirill Artemyev, for whom this fight was also his debut in the professional ring. The fight lasted all the allotted 4 rounds, Ruslan won by unanimous decision.
Two months later, a duel with Dmitry Toropchin took place. In the break between the 2nd and 3rd rounds, Toropchin refused to continue the fight. Ruslan spent three of his next fights in the USA, all fights ended in the 1st round with an early victory for Ruslan. This was followed by another 12 victories in a row before Ruslan went into battle with the American Mauricio Herrera and suffered his first defeat in the professional ring.
The twelve-round fight ended with Herrera's victory by unanimous decision.
Provodnikov personally participated in the organization of his next fight, which took place in his native village of Berezovo. He was opposed by Vyacheslav Yakovenko, Ruslan managed to knock out his opponent in the third round. On April 15, 2011, Provodnikov met with the undefeated Ivan Popoka, the fight took place in the USA. In the 8th round, Ruslan knocked out the Mexican boxer.
Trainer
1) - Evgeny Vakuev (studied the basics of boxing)
2) - Stanislav Berezin (promoted to Master of Sports of the Russian Federation)
3) - Buddy McGirt (entered the professional ring - won 21 fights and lost 1 - won the WBO intercontinental champion title in the first welterweight category)
4) - Freddie Roach (suffered 3 losses and won 3 fights)
Documentary: HBO 2 days with Ruslan Provodnikov
After the fight with Torres, Ruslan decides to change his coach, and Buddy McGirt is replaced by a rather popular American boxing coach, Freddie Roach. First of all, the new coach sends Ruslan to the training camp of world champion Manny Pacquiao. Now Ruslan Provodnikov has the opportunity to hold training fights with one of the best boxers in modern boxing.
Provodnikov won ahead of schedule in his next two fights against David Torres and Jose Reynoso. After that, information appeared that WBO world champion Timothy Bradley was interested in a fight with Ruslan.
Documentary film: Documentary film: How Ruslan Provodnikov survived
Source wikipedia.org
Watch all fights of Ruslan Provodnikov
| All fights of Provodnikov - 25 wins (18 KOs), 4 losses (0 KOs) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Opponent | Outcome of the battle | Round, Time | the date | Place | Additionally | Video of Provodnikov's fights | ||
| №30 24v-4p-0n | John Molina, ml (28-6-0) | (12) — 12 | June 11, 2016 | New York | Ruslan's defeat on points and judges' decision | ||||
| №29 23v-4p-0n | Jesus Rodriguez (14-0-0) | TKO | 4 (10), 1:40 | November 7, 2015 | Monaco | ||||
| №28 24v-3p-0n | Lucas Matisse (36-3-0) | MD | 12 (12) | 02015-04-18 April 18, 2015 | USA | Judges score: 114-114, 113-115, 113-115. | |||
| №27 23v-3p-0n | Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1) | TKO | 5 (10), 2:09 | 02014-11-28 November 28, 2014 | Moscow, Russia | Castillo knocked down in the 5th round. | |||
| №26 23v-2p-0n | Chris Algieri (19-0-0) | SD | 12 | 02014-06-14 June 14, 2014 | USA | 112-114, 112-114, 117-109. Lost world light welterweight title. Algieri was knocked down twice in the 1st round. | |||
| №25 22v-2p-0n | Mike Alvarado (34-1-0) | RTD | 10 (12), | 02013-10-19 October 19, 2013 | Denver - USA | The fight for the world title in the light welterweight version (the first world title in Provodnikov's career). Provodnikov received a cut in the 4th round, Alvarado was knocked down 2 times in the 8th round. | |||
| №24 22v-1p-0n | Timothy Bradley (29-0-0) | UD | 12 (12) | 02013-03-16 March 16, 2013 | Carson - California | 112-115, 113-114, 113-114. The fight for the title of the regular world champion in the welterweight version. Bradley knocked down in the 12th round. | |||
| №23 21v-1p-0n | Jose Reynoso (16-3-1) | KO | 2 (10), 1:52 | 02012-06-29 June 29, 2012 | Omega Products International, California | The fight for the title of Intercontinental Champion according to the version. | |||
| №22 20v-1p-0n | David Torres (21-2-2) | TKO | 6 (10), 2:53 | 02012-01-27 January 27, 2012 | For the vacant Intercontinental Championship. | ||||
| №21 19v-1p-0n | DeMarcus Corley (37-18-1) | UD | 12 (12) | 02011-12-05 December 5, 2011 | DIVS, Yekaterinburg | Fight for the vacant Asian Boxing Council title. | |||
| №20 18v-1p-0n | Ivan Popoka | KO | 8 (10), 2:16 | 02011-04-15 April 15, 2011 | Popok knocked down in the 8th round. | ||||
| №19 17v-1p-0n | Vyacheslav Yakovenko (7-13-1) | TKO | 3 (6), 2:43 | 02011-02-20 February 20, 2011 | "Victoria", Berezovo, KhMAO | Yakovenko knocked down in the 3rd round. | |||
| №18 17v-1p-0n | Mauricio Herrera (15-1-0) | UD | 12 (12) | 02011-01-17 January 17, 2011 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 113-115,112-116,112-116 For the vacant North American heavyweight title. | |||
| №17 16v-0p-0n | Faizullo Ahmedov (9-8-0) | UD | 6 (6) | 02010-10-16 October 16, 2010 | Shopping center"Alatyr", Yekaterinburg | ||||
| №16 15v-0p-0n | Emanuel Augustus (38-31-6) | TKO | 9 (10), 1:50 | May 21, 2010 | Laredo Energy Arena, Texas | Augustus knocked down in round 5 and twice in round 9. | |||
| №15 14v-0p-0n | Javier Jauregui (53-16-2) | TKO | 8 (10), 2:10 | 02010-02-12 February 12, 2010 | Pechanga Casino, California | ||||
| №14 13v-0p-0n | Victor Hugo Castro (29-6-0) | KO | 2 (12), 0:30 | 02009-11-28 November 28, 2009 | DC CSKA VVS, Samara | For the vacant WBO Intercontinental Championship. | |||
| №13 12v-0p-0n | Mahsud Djumaev (2-6-1) | RTD | 2 (6) | 02009-10-24 October 24, 2009 | Sverdlovsk Film Studio, Yekaterinburg | ||||
| №12 11v-0p-0n | Esteban Almaras (9-1-0) | UD | 6 (6) | 02009-03-20 March 20, 2009 | Leisure Center Laredo, Texas | ||||
| №11 10v-0p-0n | Abdul-Aziz Matazimov (7-0-0) | UD | 6 (6) | 02009-02-21 | UD | 10 (10) | 02008-11-03 November 3, 2008 | Berezovo, KhMAO | |
| №9 8v-0p-0n | Wang Jie (debut) | TKO | 3 (8) | 02008-08-20 August 20, 2008 | Olympic Village, Beijing | ||||
| №8 7v-0p-0n | Brian Gordon (4-0-0) | UD | 6 (6) | 02008-05-16 May 16, 2008 | Thomas and Mac Center, Las Vegas | ||||
| №7 6v-0p-0n | Jose Angel Roman (10-21-5) | TKO | 1 (6), 2:28 | 02008-03-17 March 17, 2008 | |||||
| №6 5v-0p-0n | Vadim Sufiyanov (5-1-1) | KO | 3 (6), 1:07 | 02008-01-31 January 31, 2008 | Casino Aquarius, Yekaterinburg | ||||
| №5 4v-0p-0n | Darren Darby (2-3-2) | TKO | 1 (4), 2:12 | 02007-09-16 September 16, 2007 | Northern Quest Casino, Washington | ||||
| №4 3v-0p-0n | Willie Diamond (7-8-1) | TKO | 1 (4), 1:46 | 02007-06-23 June 23, 2007 | >Thomas and Mac Center, Las Vegas | ||||
| №3 2v-0p-0n | Antwon Barrett (0-2-0) | KO | 1 (4), 2:33 | 02007-04-28 April 28, 2007 | Foxwoods Resort, Connecticut | ||||
| №1 0v-0p-0n | Kirill Artemiev (debut) | UD | 4 (4) | December 3, 2006 | DIVS, Yekaterinburg | Debut in professional boxing. | |||
| Result | Opponent | Outcome of the battle | Round, Time | the date | Place | Additionally | Video of fights - watch all the fights of Provodnikov |
Ruslan Provodnikov was born in the small Russian town of Berezovo in 1984, on January 20. He is Mansi by nationality. Provodnikov participates in welterweight fights (up to 63.5 kg). His height is 168 cm. The main achievement is the 2013 WBO champion title.
10-year-old Ruslan was brought to the boxing section by his father. He wanted to take his son from the street, where, as a child, Ruslan constantly fought with other boys. His first coach was Evgeny Vakuev, who instilled in the boy a love of sports.
At the amateur level, the boxer had 150 fights, among them - 130 victories. In 2000, he won the Eurocadet Junior Championship.
Provodnikov held his first professional fight in December 2006. His opponent was also debutant Kirill Artemyev. The match lasted all the allotted rounds. After its completion, the judges unanimously gave the victory to Provodnikov. The next match also ended with Ruslan's victory. His opponent (Dmitry Toropchin) refused to enter the ring after the second round.
Provodnikov's next fights were in the USA - the first three of them ended in an early victory for the boxer in the first round. The next 12 fights were also marked by the victory of the young athlete. The turning point was the duel with Maurizo Herrera (USA). The fight lasted 12 rounds. At the end of it, the judges ruled that Herrera won.
Provodnikov organized the next fight in his native village of Berezovo. In the third round, Ruslan knocked out his opponent (Vyacheslav Yakovenko). In 2011, in the ring, the boxer met with the Mexican Ivan Popoka, known for his invincibility. Luck was on the side of Provodnikov - in the 8th round, Popoca was knocked out.
In December 2011 Ruslan met with former world champion American Demarcus Collie. Initially, Collie chose the right tactic - keeping a distance so that a more powerful opponent could not knock out an outstanding right. At the end of the battle, Provodnikov received a serious cut near his eye. After that, he began to act on defense. As a result, the Russian won on points.
At the beginning of 2012 Provodnikov received the first high rank- WBO Intercontinental Champion. He defended this title in a fight with David Torres.
After that, Freddie Roach became Ruslan's coach. He suggested to his ward unique opportunity- to train in the camp with the outstanding Manny Pacquiao.
The fight with Timothy Bradley, broadcast on leading American channels, turned out to be exciting. Several times the champion was close to a knockdown, and in the first round he was on the floor altogether. But the referee thought that he just slipped. In the last minutes, Bradley, with apparent difficulty, held back the onslaught of Provodnikov. As a result, one judge decided that the fight ended in a draw, and the other two gave the victory to the American, who was urgently hospitalized with a concussion and amnesia. Provodnikov's headquarters filed a protest with the WBO against the actions of the referee of the fight. Their demand was for a rematch. This competition has been recognized the best fight 2013 according to many publications.
Provodnikov became the world champion (WBO version) in October 2013. Then he crushed the reigning champion Mike Alvarado (USA). He refused to continue the fight after the tenth round.
In June 2014, unexpectedly for everyone, Provodnikov lost his champion title to the little-known and considered passing American Chris Algieri. The verdict was ambiguous: 1 judge decided that Ruslan won, the other two - with a slight margin Algieri.
19.01.2018
Provodnikov Ruslan Mikhailovich
Russian Boxer
News & Events
08/17/2017 The MIC Group of Companies is actively developing boxing, one of the most spectacular and strong-willed sports
Russian professional boxer, performing in the first welterweight category. WBO world champion. WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion. WBC Asian Boxing Council junior welterweight champion.
Ruslan Provodnikov was born on January 20, 1984 in the village of Berezovo, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. At the age of 10, his father brought him to a boxing gym to distract Ruslan from the street, where he was involved in fights with other children. Evgeny Vakuev became Provodnikov's first coach, he was involved in the education of Ruslan and instilled in him a love for boxing. For several years he lived in Izluchinsk, where, studying under the guidance of the honored coach of Russia Stanislav Berezin, he rose to the rank of master of sports of the Russian Federation.
Provodnikov had 150 fights and won 130 victories in the amateur ring, he is a master of sports. In 2000, he won the Eurocadet Junior Championship, an amateur tournament held in Greece. In 2005, Provodnikov lost in the quarterfinals of the TNK-BP World Boxing Cup among oil countries, held in Nizhnevartovsk.
In 2006, on December 3, Provodnikov made his debut in professional boxing. The fight took place within the welterweight category, Ruslan's opponent was the Russian boxer Kirill Artemyev, for whom this fight was also a debut in the professionals. The fight lasted all the allotted rounds, Provodnikov won by unanimous decision. Two months later, Ruslan boxed with Dmitry Toropchin. In the break between rounds 2 and 3, Toropchin refused to continue the fight. Ruslan spent three of his next fights in the USA, all fights ended in the 1st round with an early victory for Provodnikov. This was followed by 12 victories in a row before Ruslan went into battle with the American Mauricio Herrera. The twelve-round fight ended with Herrera's victory by unanimous decision.
Provodnikov participated in the organization of his next fight, it took place in the native village of the boxer Berezovo. He was opposed by Vyacheslav Yakovenko, Ruslan managed to knock out his opponent in the 3rd round. In 2011, on April 15, Provodnikov met with the undefeated Ivan Popoka, the fight took place in the USA. In the 8th round, Ruslan knocked out the Mexican boxer.
In the same year, on December 5, Provodnikov went into battle with the former world champion Demarcus Corley, the fight was held in Yekaterinburg. The experienced American studied Ruslan well and tried to act at a distance so that the younger opponent could not take advantage of the superiority in physical strength. By the end of the fight, Provodnikov had a cut in the eye area - the first serious injury in the course of the fight in Ruslan's career. Provodnikov won by unanimous decision in an equal fight. In an interview after the fight, Ruslan noted that he did not want to take risks so as not to miss swipe from a veteran. He had to act in an uncharacteristic manner, abandoning corporate pressure.
On January 27, 2012, Provodnikov won the WBO intercontinental champion title in the first welterweight category against David Torres. After this fight, Ruslan changed his coach, Freddie Roach took the place of Buddy McGirt. New coach invited Provodnikov to take part in the training camp of world champion Manny Pacquiao, Ruslan got the opportunity to conduct training fights with one of best boxers modern boxing.
Provodnikov won ahead of schedule in his next two fights against David Torres and Jose Reynoso. After that, information appeared that WBO world champion Timothy Bradley was interested in a fight with Ruslan.
On February 3, 2013, it became known that Provodnikov would have his next fight against world champion Timothy Bradley. The fight took place on March 16 and was broadcast by the leading American television channel HBO. Ruslan lost in a spectacular dramatic fight by unanimous decision. The champion was close to a “standing knockdown” several times, and in the 1st round he was on the floor of the ring, but the referee considered that he had slipped. On the last seconds 12 round Bradley knelt down to get a breather while the referee counted him down; at the end of the count, a gong sounded to end the round and the fight. Despite successful actions in the attack, Provodnikov missed a large number accurate strikes Timothy, because of which numerous abrasions and bruises formed on his face, as well as a dissection in the area of \u200b\u200bthe left eye. After the final gong, Provodnikov believed that he had won the fight, but all three judges gave the victory to the reigning champion. That same evening, Bradley was hospitalized with a diagnosis of amnesia and a concussion.
A few days later, Ruslan Provodnikov's headquarters filed an official protest with the WBO against the actions of the match referee Pat Russell. Provodnikov's team insisted that Russell made a blunder by not starting the knockdown countdown after Bradley lost his balance and fell early in the fight. The main requirement of the statement was a rematch between the boxers.
The fight was voted Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine and the Association of Boxing Writers. For the uncompromising and aggressive fighting style that Ruslan Provodnikov always shows, he received the respectful nickname "Siberian Rocky" from the fans.
In 2014, on June 14, Ruslan Provodnikov entered the ring with a little-known American boxer, Chris Algieri. Before the fight, Algieri was rated by many experts as a passing opponent, whom Ruslan had to pass without difficulty. The first round confirmed the expectation, in which Provodnikov sent Chris to the canvas twice. The challenger was able to hold out, and thanks to the distance was able to win more rounds. The verdict of the judges was ambiguous - one of the judges gave the victory to Provodnikov with a score of 117:109, and the other two gave the victory to Algieri with a score of 114:112. As a result, Provodnikov lost and lost the world title. And on November 28, Provodnikov defeated ex-world champion Jose Luis Castillo by technical knockout in the 5th round.
On April 18, 2015, Provodnikov lost on points to the former interim champion WBC world 1st welterweight champion to Argentine puncher Lucas Matisse. In the initial rounds of the fight, Provodnikov missed many heavy blows from Lucas Matisse and received a cut, which affected the judges' scores and the result of the meeting. Matisse, working as the second number, met Ruslan with a jab and right straight lines, not allowing Ruslan to shorten the distance and impose a felling. Starting from the 8th round, an equal fight went on with a slight advantage to Matisse .. In last rounds Provodnikov managed to turn the tide of the fight and was close to knocking out his opponent, but Matisse was able to hold out, and the judges gave the victory to the Argentine by a split decision. Provodnikov himself recognized this fight as the most difficult in his career.
In 2016, on June 11, Provodnikov met with the former contender for the world title in lightweight American John Molina Jr. The fight lasted all 12 rounds. The judges unanimously gave the victory to Molina: 116-112, 115-113, 117-111. Ruslan himself recognized the justice of the defeat.
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