Provodnikov KOs Popoca on FNF

Russian junior welterweight prospect Ruslan Provodnikov corrected his career’s trajectory by stopping unbeaten Chicagoan Ivan Popoca in the 8th round of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights at Pechanga in Southern California.

Provodnikov (19-1, 13 KOs) hurt the Mexican-born Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KOs) in the fifth round and pounced with a series of heavy blows, sensing an opportunty to end the fight early. Popoca showed some craftiness in surviving the round and even responded to win the sixth as Russian appeared spent. But Provodnikov rallied and landed a heavy right for the knockdown in the 8th followed by a pair of vicious hooks that prompted the ref to step in.

After the fight Ruslan said through his interpreter that he viewed the bout as a make or break event for his career after losing a close decision to Mauricio Herrera in January (check out our breakdown here). He credited new trainer Buddy McGirt with providing valuable correction to his previously lacking technique and appears once again on track to take part in a series of TV fights thanks to his fan-friendly fighting style.

An entertaining televised undercard featured a four-round barnburner between two technically deficient but highly motivated light heavyweight that ended in a majority draw. Mike Gavronski (2-0-1) and Tyrell Hendrix (5-1-2) showed a lot of heart (we thought Hendrix was the clear victor) but both are risking serious injury by stepping in the ring with such little regard for defense.

Speaking of no defense, Marvin Quintero and Juan Santiago essentially used each other as punching bags until Quintero ended the debacle in the 3rd round. Neither fighter showed much interest in moving, though Quintero (22-3, 18 KOs) was less available to be punished.

At least as a late substitute Santiago (13-7-1, 8 KOs) can claim lack of preparation as an excuse for the loss. Quintero looks like an appealing opponent for a future TV fight when one factors in his straightforward style and propensity to wind up on the canvas.