Chris Algieri vs Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14 in Brooklyn
Chris Algieri photo by Ed Diller for Star Boxing
by Sarah Deming
BROOKLYN, N.Y.–Junior welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov wants bigger game, but he’ll settle for Chris Algieri.
After his thrilling loss to Timothy Bradley in our 2013 Fight of the Year, the Siberian Rocky dropped back down to 140 last October to grab Mike Alvarado’s WBO belt. He makes his first title defense June 14 at the Barclays Center against the undefeated Algieri, broadcast live on HBO Boxing After Dark. The baby-faced Algieri is a former kickboxing champion who sells a lot of tickets in Huntingdon, New York.
By the time Wednesday’s presser at the Barclays Center rolled around, Provodnikov seemed to have processed his initial crankiness about the choice of opponent and joined in the general enthusiasm of Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, HBO’s Peter Nelson, Artie Pellullo of Banner Promotions, Joe Deguardia of Star Boxing, and Kevin Rooney of DiBella Promotions. Top Rank’s Bob Arum, also co-promoting, took a pass for his grandson’s bar mitzvah.[[MORE]]
The suits congratulated each other on their unprecedented collaboration. Initially scheduled for the Nassau Coliseum, the card had been moved to the Barclays after interest from Nets co-owner and Provodnikov fan Mikhail Prokhorov. Golden Boy Promotions, who have an exclusive deal at Barclays, have “graciously” stepped aside. Unlike Golden Boy pressers, this one had sandwiches and cannoli.
Undefeated junior middleweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade was there to promote his co-main event title defense over mandatory challenger Brian Rose of England. Boo Boo was charming and gruff in his maroon hoodie and matching kicks as he bent over the low microphone and said, “All glory due to the most high. This is all I did from age six.”
The undercard also features “Irish” Sean Monaghan of the outstanding Joe Higgins stable, and Heather “The Heat” Hardy in the first women’s professional bout at the Barclays Center.
While Chris Algieri delivered some unusually polished remarks (he has a Master’s degree and hopes to go to medical school post-pugilism), Provodnikov eyed him with the exaggerated patience of a father waiting to spank his child.
“You may have noticed that I don’t have my belt,” Provodnikov told us through his translator/manager Vadim Kornilov. “I can’t get used to being a champ, so I keep forgetting it.”
He explained that the fabulous medieval-looking robe thing he wore was traditional attire from Khanty-Mansi and had been made for him by his people. He affected disbelief that everyone was so scared to fight him (“Look at me. Do I look scary?”) and promised that when he went to church, he would light candles for Chris Algieri.
Algieri needs all the help he can get.