Joseph Herron

Ruslan Provodnikov: “I don’t think we need a rematch with Mike Alvarado”

ruslan titleMoments after his title winning effort against former champ Mike Alvarado, newly crowned WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Ruslan Provodnikov spoke candidly about a possible rematch with the Denver, Colorado, resident.

Although Ruslan’s promoter and president of Banner Promotions, Artie Pellulo, stated that an opportunity for a rematch would be extended to Mike Alvarado out of courtesy and respect, the Siberian native doesn’t really feel that a return bout would be appropriate after the way the highly anticipated title fight played out.

Despite being a competitive and entertaining battle of attrition, Ruslan was winning the fight on every judge’s scorecard at the time of stoppage. The judges’ scorecards read 98-90, 97-90, and 96-92; all in favor of the new WBO Champion.

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Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov: Weigh in results

pro yelling finalRuslan Provodnikov – 139.8 pounds

Mike Alvarado – 139.8 pounds

This Saturday evening, the city of Denver, Colorado, will be throwing a party, and the current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion, Mike Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs), will be the guest of honor.

It’s been a long time coming for the nine year fight veteran.

After paying his dues and climbing up the pugilistic ladder, “Mile High Mike” is finally reaping the benefits of his hard labor. His unique brand of intelligent brutality has endeared him to fight audiences around the world, and HBO, as well as promoter Top Rank Inc, feels that Alvarado is quickly developing into one of the biggest stars of the sport.

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Joel Diaz: “There are no other opponents for Tim Bradley until we settle our business with Manny Pacquiao”

DSC_6130On this week’s edition of “The Pugilist KOrner”, expert trainer and former Lightweight contender Joel Diaz gave the listeners his thoughts on Tim Bradley’s boxing future in 2014.

Although most boxing pundits have stated that a fight with the winner of this weekend’s Junior Welterweight Championship contest in Denver, Colorado, between Mike Alvarado and Ruslan Provodnikov would be the most appropriate return bout for “Desert Storm”, the talented young fight trainer insists that the WBO Welterweight Champion has unfinished business with Manny Pacquiao.

“There is a wound that absolutely will not heal in my life until we make things clear and set things straight with Manny Pacquiao,” states expert trainer Joel Diaz. “I would love to get a rematch with Manny Pacquiao for the simple reason that we need to clear things up in the minds of the fight fans as well.”

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Adonis Stevenson vs. Tavoris Cloud: “Superman will be looking for the knock-out!”

Adonis Stevenson vs Tavoris CloudOn Saturday, September 28th, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the lineal Light Heavyweight Champion, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (21-1, 18 KOs) will defend his Ring Magazine and WBC belts against former IBF titlist Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (24-1, 19 KOs) as part of a sure to be action filled “Double Header” on HBO Championship Boxing.

While many ringside observers are predicting the highly anticipated match-up to go the distance, due to the mental and physical durability of the title challenger, Stevenson’s trainer, Javan “Sugar” Hill, warns everyone not to blink when the opening bell sounds.

“With Adonis, you just never know how long the fight will be,” claims the Kronk Gym trainer. “Because of his massive power, you really don’t know if the fight will go twelve rounds, six rounds, or just 76 seconds.”

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Bryan Vera: “Here we go again”

Brian Vera1During his casual media workout before the now drama riddled, 173 pound, non-title, ten round attraction, Austin, Texas, resident Bryan Vera told anxious media members in attendance at the Fortune Gym in Los Angeles, California, that it was just business as usual leading into what could be the most impactful bout of Vera’s nine year professional career this Saturday night when he finally squares off against a “heavily” favored Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

“I can only do what I can do,” stated a very relaxed Bryan Vera. “I can’t concern myself with the added drama that Chavez brings to the event. I have to stay focused, and hopefully give the fans a great fight on Saturday night.”

Most ringside observers are holding their collective breaths in anticipation for what could be a promotional meltdown on Friday, September 27th, during the customary pre-fight weigh in, which is slated to be held at 6PM EST/3PM PST later this afternoon inside the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, if “La Estrella de la Noche” doesn’t make the abridged weight limit of 173 pounds.

Will we see the dramatic “Novella” come to an anticlimactic conclusion this afternoon on the scales?

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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera agree to 173 pound weight limit and 10 round contest

chavez8According to trainer Ronnie Shields, successful negotiations have taken place to append a new weigh-in limit for the big Saturday night showdown between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico and Bryan Vera (23-6, 14 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

After the fight card’s final press conference convened this afternoon at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, both parties, including promoters Top Rank, Inc. and Banner Promotions, reached an accord binding both combatants to a new weigh in limit of 173 pounds for this Friday afternoon’s weigh in ceremony.

Although the added weight limit came as no surprise to most media members who had been following the current Chavez/Vera novella, veteran trainer Ronnie Shields made a surprise stipulation within the new fight agreement.

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Danny “Swift” Garcia: Number 46…paging number 46!!

Danny “Swift” Garcia: Number 46…paging number 46!!

IMG_6455Before last night’s impressive victory over hard punching Argentine Lucas Matthysse, universally recognized Junior Welterweight Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia felt like the “Rodney Dangerfield” of the sports world.

Although Danny had garnered an undefeated résumé of 26 victories, no losses, and 16 knock-outs leading into last night’s co-main event, most “knowledgeable” boxing scribes and ringside experts discounted the 25 year old’s chances of beating the highly touted knock-out artist from South America.

Even with big victories over former champions Amir Khan, Erik Morales, Kendall Holt, and Zab Judah, it seemed the Philly native was still fighting for the long overdue respect of the boxing community.

Now that Garcia has finally acquired the appropriate accolades that an undisputed champion justly deserves, has he earned a prime spot atop the long waiting list of possible opponents for Floyd Mayweather Jr. as well?

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Garcia vs. Matthysse: “Head to Head”

matthysse333In what should be one of the more explosive bouts fight fans have seen in a while, Lucas Matthysse will attempt to take Danny Garcia’s universally recognized title as the best 140 pound fighter on the planet.

It’s a real shame that this match-up has gone under the radar of the mainstream consciousness. But both fighters will get their chance to make a lasting impression on the casual fans of boxing as they tangle in the co-main event of tonight’s fantastic PPV event.

While most ringside observers have dubbed Matthysse to be the overwhelming favorite in the highly anticipated Junior Welterweight war, Danny’s outspoken father and head trainer has clearly taken exception to the media’s lofty praise of the hard hitting Argentine.

In the immortal words of the incomparable Angel Garcia, “Vegas don’t know nothing…the world don’t know nothing…only I know everything!!”
We’ll find out tonight if he truly is boxing’s soothsayer!!

Let’s take a look at the “Tale of the Tape”!!

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Mayweather vs. Canelo: “Head to Head”

Mayweather vs. Canelo: “Head to Head”

canelo901“The One: Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Canelo Alvarez” is an event that seems to have captured the imagination of the mainstream sports fan. It’s a match-up in which the architects and combatants deserve much credit and praise.

Both competing fighters are answering their own respective critics with a resounding “Take That” by participating in this super-pairing.

For years Floyd Jr. has been chastised by his detractors for seemingly avoiding the best fighters of his respective weight divisions and their respective primes. After defeating Austin “No Doubt” Trout on April 20th, there became a consensus among fight fans for Money May to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez; a fighter who had also been criticized for being a product of creative match-making as well.

Canelo was consistently ridiculed by die-hard fight fans for evading the best fighters in the talent enriched Junior Middleweight division, prior to taking on his September 17th assignment…which coincidently is the best fighter in boxing.

That’s what makes “The One” so captivating to most ringside observers.

Let’s take a look at the “Tale of the Tape”!!

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Garcia vs. Matthysse: “The Angel-man cometh”

IMG_6323When the Junior Welterweight super-fight between Philly native Danny Garcia and hard punching Argentine Lucas Matthysse was initially announced as the co-main event for “The One” PPV spectacular on September 14th, fight fans around the world had one more reason to celebrate.

Not only would boxing fanatics finally see Floyd Mayweather Jr face undefeated Junior Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Mexican Independence weekend, but they would also get to find out who the hardest puncher in the packed Junior Welterweight division truly was.

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