Ruslan Provodnikov (Getty)
Golden Boy Promotions officially announced today that former world champions Lucas Matthysse and Ruslan Provodnikov will face off on April 18 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The fight will be televised by HBO Boxing After Dark at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
“One-punch knockout power. Lightning-fast action,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “A likely world title shot to the winner – this bout has ‘Fight of the Year’ written all over it. This is a fight that fans have been clamoring for since these warriors were last in action.”
Hard-hitting Russan Ruslan “Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov (24-3, with 17 KOs) was previously in the ring with a knockout win against veteran Jose Luis Castillo in November 2014. That fight followed Provodnikov’s upset defeat to then-unknown Chris Algieri in May of that year.
“I’m glad that this fight is finally done,” said Provodnikov. “This is the fight I have been waiting for a long time. I think that this fight will be nominated for either ‘Fight of the Year’ or ‘Knockout of the Year’.”
Provodnikov, 31 years old, was one-half of ‘Fight of the Year’ bout with Timothy Bradley in 2013. A kayo win over Mike Alvarado that year also earned him the WBO super lightweight world title.
Lucas Matthysse (R) punches John Molina (Getty)
Lucas “La Máquina” Matthysse (36-3, with 34 KOs) will enter the fight coming off back-to-back wins over Robert Ortiz and John Molina Jr. Matthysse’s bout against Molina was voted ‘2014 Fight of the Year.’Prior to that 32-year-old Matthysse had suffered a loss to super lightweight champ Danny Garcia in September 2013.
“I only want the biggest fights against the best fighters and this fight between Provodnikov and I will surely be ‘Fight of the Year’,” the Argetnine said. “Provodnikov is a warrior that never stops throwing punches and his style suits me very well. I’m confident that I will win, and since Danny Garcia doesn’t want to fight me again, this fight will prove that I am one of the best fighters in the world.”
Sporting an 85% knockout ratio, 13 of Matthysse’s last 13 wins have come by way of stoppage.
“I’m very excited about the fight between Ruslan Provodnikov and Lucas Matthysse,” President of Banner Promotions Arthur Pelullo said. “This has the making of Corrales – Castillo all over again. This is the most fan-friendly and television-friendly fight in a long time.”
Tickets for the April 18 HBO Boxing After Dark event at Turning Stone Resort go on sale on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Ticket prices are $75 for ringside seats, $50, $35 and $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
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Lucas Matthysse vs. Ruslan Provodnikov Announced For April 18