Chris Algieri (yes, former kickboxing champion) vs. Ruslan Provodnikov

Spoiler

It was a very interesting fight. Though Provodnikov floored Chris in the first round once and then he also took a knee and instantly had an eye that was quickly swelling from the left hook that landed, Algieri was still MUCH faster and gave Provodnikov a boxing lesson, while the heavier punches were landed by Ruslan, they were much fewer than the higher percentage of over 900 punches that Algieri threw vs. Ruslan. At the end the judges had it 114-112 for Algieri twice and 117-109 for Ruslan. The scores were interesting as obviously two of the judges liked the boxer more than the amateurish looking brawler. Algieri showed excellent movement and was able to tie up or pivot away from the ropes and peppered Provodnikov with excellent speed, double and triple jabs and hooks that kept Ruslan guessing and very much off balance and frustrated. Provodnikov admitted at the end that he doesn't like to fight "runners", but guys that would stand there and fight him. The problem with that is that this is BOXING and to be a champion means that you must be able to deal with any and all styles that might come your way. This was Provodnikov's first defense of his 140 lb title since pounding Mike Alvarado into submission in his last fight.



That was good, maybe I should be a writer? lol