It's safe to say Ruslan Provodnikov is not the dream matchup for most fighters, including Chris Algieri who will be tasked with surviving an encounter with the "Siberian Rocky" on Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Algieri is a very mobile target, but Provodnikov is confident he has nothing to worry about.
"My job on June 14 is to chase Algieri and hunt him down. He should be more worried about me. His style of fighting is not my favorite. I prefer an opponent who likes to engage and fight toe-to-toe, not a runner. I don't have trouble with runners. They have trouble with me," Provodnikov said.
Provodnikov is a breath of fresh air to many boxing observers in that his sole purpose seems to be to inflict punishment on his opponents and entertain the fans. Following Miguel Cotto's demolition of Sergio Martinez in his home away from home, Madison Square Garden, Provodnikov said he hopes to make Barclays Center his own.
"This is a very important fight to me because it will show how many fans I can attract. Brooklyn feels like a second home. I hope Barclays Center can become my home arena in the same manner Miguel Cotto has at Madison Square Garden," Provodnikov said.
He also said he's aiming to have a short, impactful career and that begins with Saturday night on the big stage. I am focusing on a shorter, more prominent career. I only want the big fights. The fights the fans want to see. I want to make an impact and leave. I do not want to outstay my welcome in boxing," Provodnikov said.
"Money has never been my primary goal. I want to make the most out of my abilities to be my best in the ring. The respect of the fans and my achievements mean more to me than a title belt."
Algieri though is claiming to have the perfect strategy to combat Provodnikov's relentless aggression. "I'm not in awe of fighting Ruslan at all. I've watched him fight in the past and I have a very strong game plan to beat him. I've seen what works against him and just as importantly what doesn't."
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