Ruslan can’t be ignored

MANILA, Philippines - The betting is Timothy Bradley will be Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent on April 12 but as no confirmation has yet been made, there is a growing consensus that Ruslan Provodnikov may be a more marketable choice.

The unbeaten Bradley holds the WBO welterweight crown which he wrested from Pacquiao via a highly-disputed split 12-round decision in June 2012. Because Bradley dethroned Pacquiao under dubious circumstances, the rematch should be an easy sell on paper. But Bradley’s unexciting style isn’t cut out for a box office hit. He’s not a crowd pleaser. There is concern that a return fight might not even ring up more than the 700,000 pay-per-view buys that the first brought in.

Bradley’s lack of drawing power may be the reason why in his 31 outings, only three were staged in Las Vegas or the Mecca of Boxing. Still, he’s the reigning WBO 147-pound champion and for Pacquiao to reestablish himself as a serious contender in the big money stakes, the Filipino ring icon could use a belt for an argument. That’s why Bradley is the logical choice as Pacquiao’s next opponent, regardless of his marketability.

The hitch is it’s not certain Bradley will come to terms if he’s picked. He was offered $6 Million to face Pacquiao in a rematch when Top Rank chairman Bob Arum shopped for an opponent last year. Arum reportedly dangled a $13 Million purse for Juan Manuel Marquez to agree to a fifth encounter. Both Bradley and Marquez looked the other way, leaving Pacquiao to battle Brandon Rios instead. Bradley and Marquez eventually locked horns with the Mexican reprising his role as the fight game’s ultimate whiner after losing a split decision last October.

If Bradley isn’t available, Provodnikov won’t be a lameduck substitute. The man called the Siberian Rocky is as tough as nails with a 23-2 record, including 16 KOs. His only losses were to Mauricio Herrera and Bradley, both on points. The downside is Provodnikov’s trainer is Freddie Roach so if a Pacquiao match materializes, the Russian won’t be with his mentor. Worse, Roach will know exactly how to take care of Provodnikov.

When Provodnikov was initially floated as a possible opponent for Pacquiao, the Russian begged to be struck out of contention. He said he’d be lost without Roach and he has too much respect for Pacquiao. They’ve sparred before so it’s probably also apparent to Provodnikov that he wouldn’t stand a chance to beat Pacquiao. Roach, however, advised the Russian to accept the fight if it means financial security for the future. Provodnikov couldn’t get a purse higher than he would if he faced Pacquiao. So with Roach’s encouragement, the Russian made himself available for the derby even if reluctantly.

Provodnikov’s brawl with Bradley was cited as the Fight of the Year 2013 by Boxing News and his disposal of Mike Alvarado to win the WBO lightwelterweight crown last October was in the top five reckoning. The recognition gave credence to Provodnikov as a fighter who gives the fans what they want – their money’s worth.

Against Bradley, Provodnikov was an uncaged tiger. He floored Bradley in the first round but referee Pat Russell incorrectly ruled it a slip. With 12 seconds left in the 12th, Bradley dropped to a knee and took a mandatory eight. He survived the distance and escaped with a win by decision. Bradley paid a hefty price for engaging the Russian in an all-out war. He wound up in a hospital where doctors diagnosed a concussion. For the first time in his career, Bradley urinated blood. Bradley admitted it took over a month to recover from the battering and he will never be the same again.

Lucky to emerge from the Provodnikov fight with his faculties intact, Bradley said from now on, he’ll fight tactically. So if he fights Pacquiao again, the Desert Storm will be timid and won’t engage. That’s the reason why a rematch isn’t expected to be a pay-per-view blockbuster.

Provodnikov is known for his guts, unbridled aggression and punching power. He’s logged about 150 amateur fights, winning at least 130, so it’s not as if he’s unidimensional. The Russian is a non-stop, two-fisted punching machine with almost a death wish. “I don’t think anyone can run from me,” he once said. “I will break his will. I will die in the ring if necessary.” Against Alvarado, Provodnikov proved he can take as much as he gives. His nose bled, his cheeks swelled and there was a dangerous cut on his right eyelid. Twice, Alvarado went down in the eighth and before the start of the 11th, signaled surrender. Provodnikov could give Pacquiao more of a fight, if not a test, than Bradley.