Six months after avenging his only career loss against Brandon Rios, Mike Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs) steps back into the ring October 19 to face Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs) of Russia in a 12-round junior welterweight contest. Alvarado, 33, never met a fight he didn't like. He's a boxer-puncher whose mentality is all brawler. Against Rios, he found the middle ground and used angles and intelligence.
Provodnikov, 29, had Timothy Bradley teetering on the edge of destruction six months ago. Bradley won the fight by decision, but the "Serbian Rocky" gained a new legion of fans. His come-forward style is a throwback to the sluggers of another time. He takes three to land one, but that one could end things.
Alvarado has advantages in height and reach. If he uses the same strategy that he employed against Rios, a victory is almost certain. Provodnikov will push him to slug. That's his fight and his best chance for victory.
Alvarado knows what it takes to win. The challenge will be sticking to his game plan. The hometown hero will survive some shaky moments and box his way to a 12-round decision.
See the HBO trailer in two parts on this page here at Doghouse Boxing. Part one is above, part two below...
PART TWO:
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