Post: #1

Anyone watch this?

Great fight. Potential fight of the year candidate.

I think Ruslan Provodnikov was robbed though.

Should have been a draw or maybe gone Ruslans way.

Rematch is in order.

If you haven't watched it, watch it.

Post: #2

(03-17-2013 09:10 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Anyone watch this?

Great fight. Potential fight of the year candidate.

I think Ruslan Provodnikov was robbed though.

Should have been a draw or maybe gone Ruslans way.

Rematch is in order.

If you haven't watched it, watch it.

I completely forgot that fight was taking place yesterday. If Danny Garcia gets by Zab Judah, Bradley may prefer fighting Garcia over a rematch with Ruslan. Garcia is a bigger name, is the champion at 140, and is obviously a bigger draw. I don't see Bradley and Mayweather ever fighting. I'm pretty sure Mayweather will be fighting a Hispanic fighter in September, probably Saul Alvarez.

Post: #3

The first thing that struck me was Provodnikov's hands were quicker, but with good power. Bradley seemed stiff - he's too muscled up, which made his hands slower. Provodnikov may have shot his wad early in trying to get Bradley out of there. It took him another three rounds before he could put together another good flurry. In rounds 3 - 5 Bradley imposed his size and strength by leaning on Ruslan, and methodically going to work instead of trying to exchange with him. Though Provodnikov's face was busted up, I don't think Bradley had him close to going down.

It ended up being one of those tell-tale judging issues - Bradley may have outpointed Provodnikov, but in fewer punches, Provodnikov definitely hurt Bradley more. He had him on the verge of going out, all rubbery-legged, on at least 3 occasions, and almost had him out at the very end of the fight with only the bell saving Bradley. One major discussion was whether or not Round 2 should have been a two-point round for Provodnikov, even without a knockdown. There's also the matter of whether or not he should have been awarded a knockdown of Bradley that the ref called a pull-down.

Based on true damage done, and the more solid blows to the head, I actually was leaning Provodnikov, though I was pretty sure it was going to go to Bradley on the official cards. He just made himself a factor, and guy most likely to be ducked here on in.

Post: #4

It was an unbelievably good fight. I had it 114-113 Bradley, but I thought the knockdown in the 1st shoudl've been counted which would've made it a draw.

It was a really old school fight, reminded me of those old fights they show on ESPN classic from the 40's and 50's with Rocky Graziano, Tony Zale, etc.

Both guys prob lost a step after a fight like that, but both should definitely see major paydays coming off their performance. I know I'd pay to see Provodnikov fight anyone after that for sure.

And the heart Bradley displayed as well was incredible.

Post: #5

I need to watch it again, but I thought maybe round 1 and 2 could have gone 10-8.

That knockdown in round 2 was legit, I can't believe it wasn't ruled a knockdown.

It is kind of crazy to think that if he had maybe 5-10 more seconds in round 2 and/or 5-10 more seconds in round 12 he very well might have put Bradley away.

Literally 10 seconds could have been the difference. The amount of time it took to write this post.

Rematch for sure.

If you have a guy battered in the 12th and you lose, you should get a rematch everytime.

The people want to see it.

And I am not just saying this because he is a Wildcard and Freddie Roach fighter.

Post: #6

(03-17-2013 09:40 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  I need to watch it again, but I thought maybe round 1 and 2 could have gone 10-8.

That knockdown in round 2 was legit, I can't believe it wasn't ruled a knockdown.

It is kind of crazy to think that if he had maybe 5-10 more seconds in round 2 and/or 5-10 more seconds in round 12 he very well might have put Bradley away.

Literally 10 seconds could have been the difference. The amount of time it took to write this post.

Rematch for sure.

If you have a guy battered in the 12th and you lose, you should get a rematch everytime.

The people want to see it.

And I am not just saying this because he is a Wildcard and Freddie Roach fighter.

It would be interesting to see how the rematch would play out. Strategically, Bradley knows now how to fight him, but would he be able to stick to the script? Provodnikov is still quicker, and seemed to be able to catch Bradley with both the left hook and overhand right. Bradley would have to keep distance and move constantly to avoid getting caught. It could be a boring fight. Bradley's camp knows Provodnikov wins the exchanges.

Post: #7

Watched it last night, def fight of the year so far. It was close, but I think it was the correct decision. Those middle rounds virtually all went the way of Bradley, the 3rd round being an example. Even in the first two rounds, Bradley connected enough that I'm not convinced a 10-8 round would have been warranted.

I was most impressed with Ruslan's power and Bradley's ability to stay on his feet! Fights like that are a joy to watch but they also take a toll on a fighter's career. Hopefully both fighters bounce back.

Rios-Alvarado II should be similarly entertaining

Post: #8

(03-17-2013 09:40 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  And I am not just saying this because he is a Wildcard and Freddie Roach fighter.

Hard for me not to be bias since Bradley represents my hometown, and I used to spar where he learned to fight(Palm Springs, I fought out of a different gym though).

Post: #9

I'm pumped for Rios-Alvarado II as well. Should be great, but I expect Alvarado to fall into Rios' traps and trade punches instead of box, which is the only way he can beat him.

Rios should win by KO again, but you can't totally count out Alvarado.

Provodnikov is already being touted to fight the winner of that matchup. I fear for their safety, can you imagine the war that Brandon Rios-Provodnikov would be?!?

Either way, boxing needs more fights like this. Friends of mine who are casual fans hit me up to talk about the fight and how great it was.

When two guys lay it all on the line like they did last night, there isn't much better in the world of sports.

Post: #10

I had Bradley winning by 1 point. Like the announcers said, I thought the Russian dude gave up too many middle rounds. He should have went after Bradley in the next rounds after staggering Bradley...but he decided to take a vacation.

I thought I also heard the announcers say that Bradley had ballooned 40 pounds over his usual weight before training. He is only 5'6", so that means dude was 187 pounds before training???

That might have affected Bradley also. I saw that he was 165 when he entered the ring.

Post: #11

(03-18-2013 09:03 AM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  I had Bradley winning by 1 point. Like the announcers said, I thought the Russian dude gave up too many middle rounds. He should have went after Bradley in the next rounds after staggering Bradley...but he decided to take a vacation.

I thought I also heard the announcers say that Bradley had ballooned 40 pounds over his usual weight before training. He is only 5'6", so that means dude was 187 pounds before training???

That might have affected Bradley also. I saw that he was 165 when he entered the ring.

I don't think Provodnikov took a vacation so much as he was gassed from throwing so many punches. I think one of the guys calling the fight said that he's not used to doing that. Also, some fighters aren't confident in their ability to go deep in a fight (which Bradley usually does), so they go for it early with hopes of ending it, but don't have a Plan B if they don't get the guy out. Ruslan seemed to save energy for flurries, but in the meantime he ate too many jabs and body shots.