‘Siberian Rocky’ coming to Brooklyn

Provodnikov hoping for successful tune-up bout at Barclays Center

May 29, 2014 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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There’s no denying that this will be the fight before the big fight for Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov.

As long as he wins it, that is.

The fast-emerging WBO junior welterweight champion was hoping to see the likes of ring superstars like Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley or Brandon Rios inside the squared circle at Downtown’s Barclays Center on June 14.

Instead, the “Siberian Rocky”, who has posted his last six victories via knockout while suffering a status-raising 12-round defeat to the aforementioned Bradley in March of 2013, will have to settle for what amounts to a tune-up bout with Long Island native Chris Algieri in two weeks.

“Obviously, I was looking for a different type of an opponent and I am a bit disappointed that I am not fighting some of the opponents I wanted,” admitted Provodnikov (23-2, 16 KOS), who has been rising steadily as one of the more fascinating contenders in the welterweight ranks.

His bout with Bradley, almost unanimously voted the 2013 Fight of the Year, put him on the map as a must-see fighter.

His visit to the corners of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues next month for a headline bout that will be nationally televised on HBO’s Boxing After Dark Series is likely to establish him as the next big thing on the pro boxing circuit.

Unless, of course, Provodnikov suffers a major letdown against an unbeaten opponent with a serious chip on his shoulder.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Provodnikov ceded. “I have to fight like a champion.”

Born and raised in Berzovo, Khanty-Mansi, Russia in the heart of Siberia, Provodnikov picked up his title via a dramatic 10th-round stoppage of Mike Alvarado last October, just seven months after his well-chronicled 12-round battle with Bradley.

He admits that he was ready for something bigger in his next bout, but boxing being the business it is, Provodnikov will instead have to wait for a fall match-up with Khan, Marquez, Pacquiao and perhaps even a rematch with Bradley.

As for Algieri (19-0, 8 KOs), June 14 will provide an opportunity for him to thrust his face into the national spotlight.

The graduate of Stony Brook aspires to attend medical school after boxing, but a stunning upset of Provodnikov could put those plans on hold for significantly longer than imagined.

“It’s great to be overlooked by Provodnikov and others,” noted the 30-year-old Huntington resident. “There will be much more of a response when I win. I truly plan on shocking the world on June 14th.

“I haven’t had those big name fights yet,” he added. “I’ve only been on TV a couple of times, but I’ve been working very hard throughout my entire career getting ready for this opportunity. And on June 14 everyone’s gonna see who I am and what I bring to the table and that’s when everyone can see what Chris Algieri’s all about.”

Provodnikov will have Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, as well as what is expected to be a partisan crowd of Russian-American fight fans eager to cheer on one of their own as he continues his ascension up the ranks.

Roach, who also trains Pacquiao and revealed this week that he would sit out a potential bout between his two fighters if it should come to pass later this year, is making sure to keep Provodnikov focused on the task at hand.

“We always take fights seriously and we get ready for every fight 100 percent,” Roach insisted. “At the level we’re at right now, at the world title level, you can’t take anyone for granted and we’re in great shape for this fight.”

“This is a great opponent and a great fight,” Provodnikov added. “It’s no secret what my plan is, of course I’m going to pressure. They all try to box me and they all try to move and jab, but I’m going to follow my plan and break the person down from a distance, from up close, anywhere.”

The June 14 undercard will feature Long Island favorite “Irish” Seanie Monaghan and the debut of professional women’s boxing at the Barclays Center with Brooklyn native Heather “The Heat” Hardy putting her thus-far unbeaten record on the line.

Tickets for the event, priced at $31, $56, $86, $106 and $206, are still available and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.