“The chances are good that we will meet Pacquiao on April 12,” said Provodnikov. “As you know, I originally did not want to fight with (Pacquiao), because we both trained under the guidance of Freddie Roach.”
“Then, while I was on vacation at a resort, I carefully thought about the situation, and I decided that if fate is giving me the opportunity, then I need to use it,” he added.
“To refuse a fight with such a great boxer is stupid. I’ve always wanted to fight with the best, and Pacquiao is at the top of the ceiling.”
However, Provodnikov declared that Pacquiao is not really his first choice.
“The most preferred opponent for me is Juan Manuel Marquez,” he said. “I know that negotiations are being conducted with him.”
“But if he refuses, then I have to fight with Pacquiao,” he added
If the Pacquiao fight pushes through, Provodnikov believe that he will have to change his team’s personnel.
“It will be necessary to look for a new coach, because if a fight with Manny takes place, then Freddie Roach, of course, will side with him,” the Russian said, adding that he is confident of giving Pacquiao a true challenge.
“I’m confident in myself,” he said. “There is no doubt that I can have a real fight with him.”
Manny Pacquiao took Brandon “ Bambam “ Rios into a boxing clinic en route to a unanimous decision win a couple of months ago while Ruslan Provodnikov stole the WBO championship from Mike “ Mile High “ Alvarado in a TKO win. Provodnikov also gave Timothy Bradley ( the one who beat Pacquiao in a unanimous decision ) a relentless beating only to fall short in the judges’ scorecards.
I find this fight to be an interesting bout since Pacquiao will be facing another come-forward fighter who likes to slug it out so this will be an all-out war if it takes place. Forget about the internal conflict that they have. Boxing greats come across with this kind of rift with a friend or stable mate at some point in their careers. I assume Freddie Roach will find a way on how to beat Provodnikov since he knows him very well too.
