"HBO very interested in Manny Pacquiao vs. Ruslan Provodnikov," says Boxing Manager
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"HBO very interested in Manny Pacquiao vs. Ruslan Provodnikov," says Boxing Manager By SecondsOut.com on Doghouse Boxing (Jan 3, 2014) TweetFollow @DoghouseBoxing
This report by SecondsOut.com. Ruslan Provodnikov could be in line to face Manny Pacquiao according to his manager Vadim Kornilov.
Speaking to Boxingscene.com, Kornilov stated: “If we fail to reach an agreement on a pay-per-view fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, then the possibility of a fight against Pacquiao is really great. However, if we can agree on a fight against Marquez or Timothy Bradley, then [the possibility of] a bout with Pacquiao may be postponed for a while.”
The manager then added “Given that the fans, promoters and [HBO] are very interested in a fight between Pacquiao and Provodnikov, we are most likely going to have to do it. Provodnikov wants to fight only against the most dangerous and most well-known opponents and he does not intend to accept less meaningful alternatives.”
Provodnikov, who recently stopped Mike Alvarado, trains alongside Pacquaio at the wildcard gym and is said to be close friends with the Filipino superstar. This friendship would have to be put to one side for this fight to happen, but should the intriguing match up go ahead, the Russian will surely be in line for a career best payday.
Promoter Bob Arum is scheduled to meet with Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz in the coming days to finalise an opponent.
