Mike alvardo vs Ruslan Provodnikov (This coming weekend)

Could possibly be a FOTY candidate this one and have heard very little being mentioned of it.

How do we see this one going?

I am siding with Provodnikov by TKO late.

Total war

I'm going for Mike as he showed a good enough level of boxing in the second rios fight that suggests he could do the same to Ruslan. Ruslan was out worked by Bradley and earlier Herrera and Alvarado throws lots of punches

One thing I'd say about Provodnikov is that I think he is the stronger and is the harder puncher, a harder puncher than Rios also, so if they do go toe to toe at short-mid range you'd favour him but at mid-long range ot favours Alvarado who has a good jab and a strong right hand

Was thinking that myself WHU.

But Bradley is a lot quicker than Mike (even when he was concussed)

Alvardo showed he can be hurt by a weaker puncher in Rios, and I reckon if he gets tagged by any of those shots that Bradley got clipped with, then its good night Irene for him.

Some of those punches Provodinikov threw didn't look to be that fast of hard, but the way these sent Bradley staggerin about like an alcoholic was mental.

My pick for Ruslan isn't a sudden pick. It is razor thin, but I reckon a KO will happen and would say there is more chance of Alvardo being stopped than Prov

Think Rios has better stamina than Ruslan. He only mustered up around 5 or 6 big attacks and seemed dead tired throughout the rest of the fight against Bradley.

Thought he beat Herrera personally aswell...

Provodnikov looks to be a harder and more devastating puncher whereas Rios is a little more wear you down although he is a big puncher.

This fight is hard to call, agree with the above. If Alvarado keeps this long, the same way he did v Rios, then he wins. But if he gets involved in a tear up I think he goes. Alvarado has had a lot of wars in his career already, can't afford another.

Absolutely agree Sean, if he can stay away from keeping it a war for sustained periods of time and ride it out when it does inevitably become a bit of a war he should win it on the ability from boxing from a distance. Just depends if he can ride the waves.

Some good money to be made here with Provo at evens...

I think Alvardo will try and box this one. But I think people are forgetting just how rubbish Rios actually is. He wont keep Provo away like he did Rios.

As someone said Provodnikov may be more explosive and more powerful than Rios but he hasn't got the same intesity

He fights in spurts and gets fatigued quickly, and his face becomes a mess so he can't go too gung ho

Is this at 140 or 147 (although tbh its doesn't really matter as Mike weighed 158lbs on the night against Rios)?

Looking forward to this (cheers Sky) as I've seen very little of both in comparison to most big fights. Can't offer much pre fight other than I'm hoping it'll be a war.

If Alvarado sticks to his gameplan, same as Rios 2, then he'll outbox Providnikov from off the backfoot.

If Alvarado gets into a war, as he often does. Then Providnikov can land the Hail Mary and it could be goodnight Mile High Mike.

Provodnikov has power, but if less of a threat than Rios.

Alvarado by UD.