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MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao has figured in a number of exhibition bouts, however not like this one.
Pacquiao, 47, returns to the ring in April as he faces Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov in a battle of former world champions, though the end result could have no affect on their skilled boxing information.
Will probably be Pacquiao’s second outing since he got here again from a four-year retirement in July 2025, when he fell in need of capturing the WBC welterweight title following a majority draw with Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao, boxing’s solely eight-division world champion, had been eyeing to battle WBA welterweight titlist Rolly Romero this 12 months, however talks fell by.
So, who’s Provodnikov?
World contender
Though Provodnikov is youthful than Pacquiao at 42, he had a comparatively brief skilled profession for a boxer of his caliber, as he competed solely from 2006 to 2016.
He took half in 30 bouts and gained 25 of them, with most of his losses coming on the tail finish of his profession.
On the peak of his powers, Provodnikov contended for world titles, and he lastly turned a champion when he wrested the WBO mild welterweight belt from Mike Alvarado by a stoppage win of their 2013 conflict.
The crown stayed with Provodnikov for less than months, nevertheless, as he suffered a controversial split-decision loss to Chris Algieri in his lone title protection in 2014.
Provodnikov alternated wins and losses in his subsequent 4 bouts, preventing for the final time in 2016 in a unanimous resolution defeat to John Molina Jr.
Three of Provodnikov’s 5 losses have been towards foes whom Pacquiao beat: Algieri, Timothy Bradley, and Lucas Matthysse.
Getting his first crack at a world title, Provodnikov absorbed a intently contested unanimous resolution defeat to then-champion Bradley for the WBO welterweight belt — their action-packed bout incomes the 2013 Combat of the 12 months honors.
Then, a 12 months earlier than he hung up his gloves on the age of 32, Provodnikov fell to Matthysse by way of majority resolution in 2015.
Like Pacquiao, Provodnikov transitioned to politics after his skilled profession, turning into a congressman in his hometown of Beryozovo.
Acquainted foe
Pacquiao and Provodnikov aren’t any strangers to one another.
In actual fact, Provodnikov served as Pacquiao’s sparring accomplice in preparation for the Filipino’s protection of his WBO welterweight title towards Bradley in 2012.
Provodnikov even flew to the Philippines and joined Pacquiao’s coaching camp in Baguio Metropolis for a few weeks.
“Proper now, it’s an enormous story of my life, and it’s an enormous expertise, and I see the extent and the eye that Manny is getting,” Provodnikov mentioned in an interview with Prime Rank Boxing in 2012.
Pacquiao ultimately misplaced by way of unanimous resolution, relinquishing the belt he had held for 3 years earlier than recovering it two years later, in 2014, when he pulled off a unanimous resolution win over Bradley of their rematch.
Other than being sparring companions with the “Pacman,” Provodnikov skilled on the famed Wild Card Boxing Health club in Los Angeles, USA, below Pacquiao’s longtime coach, Freddie Roach.
Provodnikov additionally labored with Filipino coach Marvin Somodio, who helped Pacquiao gear up in his comeback battle towards Barrios.
Aggression and energy
Referred to as the “Siberian Rocky,” Provodnikov made a reputation for himself as a relentless fighter who possessed intimidating punching energy.
Of his 25 victories, Provodnikov gained 18 by knockout, and he by no means misplaced by stoppage.
Bradley even acknowledged that Provodnikov’s energy eclipsed that of Pacquiao, whose 39 of his 62 wins got here by knockout.
“When he landed that proper hand on me, I assumed my life flashed earlier than my eyes. He hit me so exhausting on the chin, proper on the chin. Most guys will crumble, and I’m in nice form, so my legs didn’t give out on me. Thank God,” Bradley instructed FightHype.
“I felt like I bought hit by a sledgehammer.”
The injury Bradley, a two-division world champion, endured from Provodnikov proved to be career-altering.
“After my battle with Ruslan Provodnikov, I wasn’t the identical fighter. The quantity of harm that I took in that single battle alone, I used to be not the identical fighter. I wasn’t capable of take photographs on the chin commonly. I used to be getting damage by small guys throughout coaching camp,” Bradley instructed ProBox TV.
Whether or not Provodnikov nonetheless packs a punch can be recognized when he tangles with Pacquiao on April 18 in Las Vegas. – Rappler.com
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