Tonight at 9:45 p.m. ET HBO will televise a two-fight card featuring bouts from multiple locations. In Verona, New York from Turning Stone casino two of boxing's most feared punchers, Lucas "The Machine" Matthysse and Ruslan "Siberian Rocky" Provodnikov will engage in what figures to be a Fight of the Year candidate for 2015. Fans can watch this slugfest online by clicking this link.
Matthysse has won his last two fights following an upset loss in 2013 to Danny "Swift" Garcia, even though he was the challenger for Garcia's belts. With 36 wins, and 34 knockouts, Matthysse is one of the biggest punchers in the sport. It may take every ounce of his power to stop Provodnikov, known as one of the game's true warriors.
Provodnikov made his mark in a brutal, close loss to Timothy Bradley in 2013.He then knocked out Mike Alvarado to win the WBO junior welterweight title before controversially dropping it to Chris Algieri last year. Even in his losses, it was his opponents who exited the ring looking the worse for wear.
Most fans will expect fireworks, and a knockout. They may very well get it, but they should not expect to see replicating styles. Provodnikov is a hard charger with limited movement and ability to switch gears. Defensively, he is porous and willing to eat shots in order to deliver his own.
Matthysse is more apt to be knocked down, but he has never been knocked out. He rebounds well from hard shots, and proved that in a 2014 war vs. John Molina in which he was knocked down twice before rallying. He has more in his repertoire than Provodnikov, and would be wise to employ jabs and use distance against such a tenacious pressure fighter.
Prediction: Lucas Matthysse def. Ruslan Provodnikov by TKO (Round 11)
Rising star Terence Crawford will also be featured on this telecast against veteran Thomas Dulorme, in what will be Crawford's debut at junior welterweight. Dulorme is not a feared fighter, but he will not be a cake walk for Crawford as the first fight in a new weight class.
Dulorme was once a highly-rated prospect, but an unexpected loss to Luis Abregu stalled his career. Another loss would be a major setback, but Crawford, even at a higher weight, is likely to be too much for him. Crawford is coming off an incredible 2014 that showcased tremendous skills and the potential for excitement-his knockout of Yuriorkis Gamboa was one of the highlights of the year.
Prediction: Terence Crawford def. Thomas Dulorme by unanimous decision.
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