Ruslan Provodnikov was expected to roll through Chris Algieri when the two met at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with the WBO light welterweight, but even though Provodnikov was upset, he remains in demand.
Provodnikov complains about Algieri loss
He was able to floor Algieri in the first round and damage his eye badly, forcing him to take a knee seconds later. Algieri outboxed him for the rest of the fight, but the first round fireworks are why fans keep tuning in to see "The Siberian Rocky." That's why his promoter Artie Pelullo is trying to get him in the ring with Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios.
"We're also talking about an opponent for Ruslan, and I would like to see the winner between Brandon Rios and Diego Chaves fight Ruslan in November," said Pelullo. "We've discussed, that, Arum and I, so that would be another scenario. The winner of Rios-Chaves would be a great fight."
Algieri's win was somewhat controversial, as he won via split decision, but he doesn't seem overly interested in a rematch when a potential fight with the legendary Pacquiao is on the table. "I just went and fought the most dangerous guy around for very cheap," Algieri said after the victory. "And now, it's time for the biggest fight that I can get, and maybe that's Manny Pacquiao."
Pellullo said Algieri has a good chance of pulling an upset against the great Pacquiao. "It's a great opportunity for Algieri. I think that if he uses a similar style that gave Ruslan a hard time, that it's the same style that will give Pacquiao a hard time."
The choice of Algieri is a bit strange; while the win vs. Provodnikov was shocking he still isn't a star outside of New York. Bob Arum thinks that throwing him in vs. Pacquiao will elevate him instantly, and his natural charisma will carry him.
"With Algieri, you don't see many college graduates in professional boxing, particularly those who are able to become a champion. So, that alone, would make Algieri pretty unique," Arum said. "I'm intrigued by the fact that Algieri is a college kid who is very articulate and is somebody who is a credit to the sport. I think that's more important to me than anything else."
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