The Boxing Glove

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Ruslan Provodnikov Returns with a Four Round Demolition of Jesus Rodriguez

By Peter Silkov

Fan-favourite, ‘The Siberian Rocky’ Ruslan Provodnikov 25(18)-4 returned to action with an impressive victory over previously unbeaten Jesus Rodriguez 14(11koes)-1, in Monte Carlo. It was Provodnikov’s first appearance in the ring since his April 18th point’s defeat by Lucas Matthysse, and also his first ring appearance since switching trainers from Freddie Roach to Joel Diaz. On first impression, the switch to Diaz has already began to reap rewards for Provodnikov, Diaz’s voice could be heard shouting encouragement and instructions to Provodnikov during the action, which must be a welcome change for Ruslan, having gone through recent fights without his main trainer in his corner. Before the fight, the talk was that Diaz was aiming to teach Ruslan a few tricks, most importantly, the ability to defend himself better, and not simply walk through punches that he should not be taking. The evidence tonight is that those tricks are working.

Provodnikov is never going to be a defensive master, or a fancy-dan boxer, but he showed definite signs of paying more attention to his defence tonight. He showed the ability to move his head, and block and slip punches, in a way that he has not been doing in his most recent fights. Jesus Rodriguez was, despite his unbeaten record, a class below Ruslan.

The Siberian Rocky was pressuring Rodriguez from the start, pushing him against the ropes, as Rodriguez attempted a rear guard action, using a useful jab, but little else. After sizing his man up in the 1st round, Ruslan started to up the tempo in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, landing some vicious shots to the body, which visibly drained any offensive ambitions away from his opponent. What punches that did come at Ruslan were mostly blocked or slipped. In the 4th round, Ruslan opened up fully for the first time, and floored Rodriguez twice with a bombardment of body and head punches, with the referee wisely waving the match off after the 2nd knockdown.

Undoubtedly, there will be harder challenges in the future for Ruslan, but the signs of improvement were visible, along with the feeling that Ruslan finally has the kind of support in his corner that every fighter is entitled to receive.

If boxing politics do not get in the way, it would be interesting to see Provodnikov take on the winner of tonight’s match between Timothy Bradley and Brandon Rios, for Bradley’s WBO world welterweight title. As we know, Provodnikov and Bradley have already fought each other once, in what was a thriller, and a rematch between the two is something that most boxing fans, and Ruslan himself, have been wanting for some time. A second fight with Bradley also has the added spice of Ruslan now being trained by Joel Diaz, who Bradley recently dumped as his trainer after the two had worked together for 10 years.

On the other hand, if Rios was to pull off an upset and beat Bradley later tonight, then a possible Provodnikov vs Rios fight is also an enticing prospect. Whatever happens, Provodnikov looks to be in a better place now than he was early this year, he looks sharp and refreshed and with a team that is 100% behind him.

Tim Bradley Jr. Vs. Brandon Rios: Last Chance in Vegas?

By Peter Silkov

Tonight, Timothy Bradley Jr. defends his WBO world welterweight championship against granite-chinned slugger Brandon Rios, at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a promising match up, with both men seldom in a boring fight. This is Bradley Jr’s first fight since he parted from his long time management team and trainer Joel Diaz, and taken on Teddy Atlas as his new trainer, and his wife as his new manager. Bradley’s revamp of his team has provoked mixed reactions, with some criticizing him for his discarding of Diaz. But a fighter’s life is a short one, and sometimes fighters need a change of trainer to reinvigorate their career. Against Rios, it will be interesting to see what impact Atlas has had on Tim as a fighter. Bradley has the better boxing skills than Rios, but is also prone to make his fights into brawls, which would suit Rios. For Rios, this is a fight he really must win if he is to stay at the top level. Rios has had only 2 fights in the past 2 years, and a win over Bradley would reinvigorate his career, while a defeat would perhaps spell the end of his time as an elite fighter.

This is a fight that Bradley should win, unless he allows himself to get dragged into the kind of street brawl, which would favour Rios. It looks like being a grueling, entertaining, and sometimes scrappy, point’s win for Bradley.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Jesus Alvarez: A Night of Champions in Monte Carlo

Photo Source: The Ring

By Peter Silkov

Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4-0) returns to the ring tomorrow for what he has admitted is his last chance to reach the top of the boxing tree. The ‘Siberian Rocky’ is a hugely popular figure with boxing fans because of his all-action style, and the fact that he is never in a dull fight. Provodnikov will face Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez (14-0) at the Salle des Étoiles, in Monte Carlo, Monaco, at 6:30 p.m. CET or 12:30 p.m. ET.

Provodnikov’s 2013 war with Timothy Bradley Jr. will go down as one of the fights of the decade. In many ways, the Siberian slugger is a throwback to the rugged fighters of the past who ducked nobody, and fought every round, of every fight, as if it were their last. Yet, Provodnikov’s gung-ho attitude has come at a price for him. While it has made him hugely popular among fans, it has also meant that every fight he is in is a grueling battle of attrition, and eventually such wars will catch up with a fighter.

Since his two stand out performances in 2013, his defeat by Bradley (after a thrilling fight, which many thought he was unlucky to lose), and his impressively brutal victory over Mike Alvarado, the ‘Siberian Rocky’ has gone 1-2 in his last 3 contests. First, there was the shock point’s defeat to Chris Algieri, which cost Provodnikov the WBO world light welterweight title he had won against Alvarado. The decision was highly debatable, and the fact that Provodnikov’s then promoter, Bob Arum, seemed to favour an Algieri victory before the fight, just added to the bad smell left behind in the fight’s aftermath. Algieri went on to fight Manny Pacquiao in his next fight, the kind of match that Provodnikov has been hoping to get for some time.

Shorn of his world title, Provodnikov scored a stoppage victory over a extremely battle-weary Jose Luis Castillo at the end of 2014, and then in his only fight so far of this year, he lost a point’s decision to Lucas Matthysse. The Matthysse defeat, though competitive, left some with the feeling that at 31 years old, the wars had began to take a toll upon Provodnikov. Against Matthysse, the ‘Siberian Rocky’ looked at times painfully predictable. For all his heart and strength, Provodnikov looked like a fighter in need of some new tricks to fall back on when his aggressive attacking style proves to be not enough. A change was needed.

Provodnikov and his management saw themselves that a change was needed, or else Provodnikov was in danger of slipping out of world title contention. Since the Matthysse defeat, Provodnikov has switched trainers, leaving behind Freddie Roach in order to team up with Joel Diaz. It is well known that Roach, for all his ability as a trainer, has been unable to provide the kind of one-on-one attention that Provodnikov has needed. Tomorrow, Novemeber 7, Provodnikov faces the unbeaten Jesus Pridencio Alvarez Rodriguez in Monte Carlo. Rodriguez is a mystery man, with his record of 14-0 (11koes). Can Provodnikov rekindle his career tomorrow? And perhaps show us that he has leaned some new tricks from new trainer Joel Diaz.

Fighthub interviews Provodnikov leading up to bout on Saturday:

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

The Nonpareil: The Original Jack Dempsey

Remembering…Nonpareil Jack Dempsey
December 15, 1862 - November 2, 1895

By Peter Silkov

Long Before the ‘Manassa Mauler’ Jack Dempsey reigned as World heavyweight champion in the 1920s, there was ‘Nonpareil’ Jack Dempsey. This Dempsey was considered one of the greatest boxers ever seen, pound-for-pound. Fast and clever, with a good punch, Dempsey was a boxer-puncher who was decades ahead of his time in his ring generalship. Dempsey could adapt to any style of opponent, and in his prime, he ranked only below heavyweight champion John L Sullivan in fame and popularity. Technically, he was a far greater fighter than Sullivan, and many boxing followers at that time believed that he would be able to beat Sullivan if he was just a stone or so heavier than the 152 pounds, which he weighed at his prime. Fans gave him the name "Nonpareil" because he was considered unrivaled in his fistic prowess.

Nonpareil was the first internationally recognized World Middleweight champion, and helped bring acceptance and recognition to the middleweight division at a time when the heavyweights dominated boxing.

Dempsey was born in Curran, County Kildare, Ireland, on December 15, 1862, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, after his family moved to America while he was still very young. Dempsey’s real name was John Edward Kelly, and it is not clear why he changed his name to Jack Dempsey, but it is likely to be because he did not want his family to know that he was boxing. After training to be an apprentice Cooper, Dempsey began to box for pay in 1883.

In just over a year, Dempsey had picked up the Lightweight championship of New York and then the Lightweight Championship of America. On February 3, 1886, Dempsey knocked out John Forgarty out in the 27th round to win the Middleweight Championship of America. One month later, The Nonpareil knocked out George Lablanche in the 13th round, and gained recognition as the World middleweight champion. Dempsey was to hold this title until 1891. In August 1899, Dempsey was knocked out in the 32nd round by George Lablanche, but retained his status as the World middleweight champion as Lablanche had weighed in for the fights at 161 pounds, over the middleweight limit. Lablanche had also knocked Dempsey out with the illegal ‘pivot’ punch. Other than this dubious setback, Dempsey reigned supreme at middleweight until January 14th, 1891, when Bob Fitzsimmons shockingly beat him in 13 rounds. In what was a sensational result at the time, the gangling and freckled Fitzsimmons handed Dempsey a terrible beating, and the Nonpareil gave a great exhibition of courage to last as long as he did, before he was finally pulled out by his corner-men in the 13th round.

Fitzsimmons would go on to become one of the greatest fighters in the ring, and the first man to win world titles at 3 weights, however for Dempsey, it was all tragically downhill after his defeat by Fitzsimmons. After he lost his world championship, Dempsey’s life went into a downward spiral, he started to drink heavily, and then contracted Tuberculosis. He would fight just 3 more times, winning once. His last fight was on January 18 1895, against the Welterweight world champion, Tommy Ryan. Dempsey’s condition and display in the ring was so poor that he was unmercifully jeered and booed from the ring after the fight had been mercifully stopped in the 3rd round. Nine months later, on November 2 (some sources say Nov 1st) 1895, the Nonpareil died of tuberculosis, at just 32.

Nonpareil Jack Dempsey’s final record was 54(23koes)-4-11.

Boxer Greg Page...Talented and Tragic

By Peter Silkov

Greg Page was one of the most talented heavyweights of the 1980s, but like most of the heavyweights of that era, mismanagement and a slew of legal problems hindered his career. Don King, who had a knack for leaving his fighters disillusioned and broke, controlled the heavyweight division in the 1980s. King’s treatment of his heavyweights (and his fighters from other weights) during at this time is notorious. He used his heavyweights in particular, like pawns, and the result was that many of these talented fighters became disillusioned with boxing, and self-destructed. One of those heavyweights was Greg Page, who went from being a brilliant amateur, to one of the most promising heavyweights of his generation. Although he would win the World heavyweight title, his talent would be largely unrealized, and his career eventually ended in tragedy.

Greg Page was born on October 25, 1958, in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of Muhammad Ali. The fact that he was born in the hometown of ‘The Greatest’ meant that Page was constantly compared to Ali. Unsurprisingly, Ali would prove to be a hard act to follow for Page.

Page turned professional in 1979, after compiling an amateur record of 94-11.
Almost from the moment that he turned professional, Page was hailed by some as the ‘New Ali’ and he fought in a similar fashion, being very mobile, with fast hands, and a penchant for throwing eye-catching combinations. Soon, Page drew criticism from the media when his performances did not live up to expectations. Although a talented and entertaining fighter when he was on form, Page was prone to giving erratic and lazy performances at times, and his weight would fluctuate, drawing more criticism from the media. Much of the criticism Page received was unfair for a fighter who was just beginning his career. Page was sensitive to criticism and soon became suspicious of the media.

After winning his first 19 contests, Page was out-pointed by Trevor Berbick on June 11, 1982. Ironically, he had come into this fight at his lightest weight ever, but found himself out-muscled by the bull-like Berbick. Page came back with 4 wins, including victories over James Tillis and Renaldo Snipes. Then on March 9, 1984, Page fought Tim Witherspoon for the vacant WBC world heavyweight title, but was beaten on points. Five months later, in a challenge for the USBA Heavyweight title, David Bey beat Page on points. Yet, just when his career seemed to be on the slide, Page produced the performance of his life on December 1, 1984, when he traveled to South Africa and won the WBA world heavyweight championship from big-punching Gerrie Coetzee, knocking him out in the 8th round of a thrilling fight.

Unfortunately, Page’s world title reign lasted only 4 months. In his first defence on April 29 1985, Page was out-pointed by Tony Tubbs, after producing a listless display.

Although Page was only 27 years old, this would prove to be the final time that he would fight for the World heavyweight title. Over the next 7 years he went 14-8 in 22 fights, remaining at world level, but no longer a genuine contender for the world title.

He seemed to have retired in 1993, and turned his hand at training, where he found success in guiding Oliver McCall to victory over Lennox Lewis in 1994, to win the WBC world heavyweight title. But, when McCall’s career spiraled off the rails, due to his drug addiction, and he lost the world title, Page returned to the ring himself in 1996. Page put together a string of victories over a number of mediocre opponents, but he was no longer was the sparkling boxer he had been in his prime. With his speed and reflexes dulled by age and inactivity, Page had to take a lot more punches than he did in his youth. Once he moved up a level and started taking on younger prospects, Page started losing. He lost 5 of his last 9 contests, but it was his final contest on Match 9, 2001, that proved to be the tragic finale of Greg Page’s boxing career.

Fighting in a night club called Peels Palace in Erlanger, Kentucky, against Dale Crowe, who was 24 years of age and 18 years younger than Page, tragedy struck in the 10th round when Page was knocked down, and suffered severe brain damage. There was no ambulance or oxygen at the venue, and the so-called doctor was completely inadequate. Incredibly, there was no stretcher at ringside, and it was 45 minutes before the stricken Page was removed from the ring. Page eventually was taken to a hospital where he underwent brain surgery, and suffered a stroke while on the operating table. Although he would survive his terrible injuries, Page was left paralyzed on his left side, and confined to a wheelchair. He later won damages of 1.2 million dollars from the state of Kentucky for the negligent medical facilities provided for his contest against Crowe. Ironically, Page and Crowe became good friends, and Crowe helped at fundraisers for his ex-opponent.

New safety regulations called ‘The Greg Page Initiative’ were put into place in Kentucky after his injury. Yet, it is debatable whether they have been taken on board totally. Greg Page’s legacy was to show just what could happen when shortcuts are taken regarding boxer’s safety. It is also a prime example of why boxers should have some form of pension plan and medical insurance provided for them. Had Greg Page had some kind of pension plan he would probably not have been boxing Dale Crowe that night for a purse of just $1500.00.

Greg Page died on April 27, 2009, when he slipped out of his bed and died of positional asphyxia. Greg Page’s story is not one of boxing’s happy stories. It is a story of a great talent that was only realized in brief flashes.

Greg Pages final record was 58(48koes)-17-1.

We have not confirmed if the Greg Page Foundation is still operating, but we found this article written by his wife, Patricia Page, for the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

Patricia Page's Letter About Her Experience and Change

Boxing Heavyweight Sinan Samil Sam Passes at age 41

By Peter Silkov

The Boxing Glove is sad to report that the former European Heavyweight Champion, Sinan Samil Sam, is reported to have passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2015, in Istanbul of liver failure. Sam was being treated at the Marmara University Pendik Training Research Hospital in Istanbul, and was on the waiting list for a liver transplant.

During his boxing career, Sam was a strong and durable fighter who was always in entertaining fights because of his aggressive, pressing, style. Nicknamed the ‘Bull from Bospoous,’ he was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on June 23, 1974, to Turkish parents. After an amateur career, which saw him win the Junior World championship at light-heavyweight in 1992, and the World championship at Super-Heavyweight in 1999, Sam turned professional in 2000, and in the course of his professional career would fight some of the best heavyweights in the world.

Sam was technically solid and very rugged, with a good punch and an excellent chin. In the course of his 8 year professional career, Sam would win the European heavyweight title twice, and also hold the WBC International and WBC Mediterranean titles.

In what was probably his most impressive performance, Sam stopped the usually very durable Danny Williams in 6 rounds on February 8, 2003, in defence of his European title, which he had won 4 months earlier.

Sam’s main problem during his professional career seemed to be that he wasn’t always in top condition physically, with his weight fluctuating from 230 to over 250 pounds. There's little doubt with his pressure fighting style, that he was a better fighter when he was lighter. Yet, whatever his conditioning going into a fight Sam always gave his all once he got into the ring. Sam showed his heart in his 2005 defeat to Oleg Maskaev, when he managed to last the distance, despite suffering a broken jaw in the 2nd round.

Sam fought heavyweights such as Premyslaw Saleta, Danny Williams, Juan Carlos Gomez, Luan Krasniqi, Denis Bakhtov, Lawrence Clay Bey, Oleg Maskaev, Oliver McCall and Paolo Vidoz.
Ironically Sam never got to fight for a world title, though many less qualified heavyweights have received title shots. Sam’s last chance at a world title shot was lost on June 16, 2007, when he was out-pointed by a 42 year old Oliver McCall, losing his WBC International Heavyweight title.

Sam would win his final 4 contests, with his last fight taking place on July 4, 2008, when he regained the European Heavyweight title by outpointing Paolo Vidoz. Sam never fought again. His final record was 31(16koes)-4.