Manny Pacquiao News and Next Fight Updates: Ruslan Provodnikov "Too Dangerous" For Pacman, Says Boxing Trainer
Manny Pacquiao may never have a chance to fight Ruslan Provodnikov, but renowned boxing trainer Abel Sanchez believed the "Siberian Rocky" will be a dangerous opponent for Pacquiao because of his unbelievable durability and resilience.
Sanchez, who is the trainer of the WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, really thought Provodnikov will be too much for the 34-year-old Pacquiao to take on because of the Russian's relentlessness inside the ring.
"I don't think Ruslan Provodnikov would be a good fight for him," Sanchez said in an interview with HustleBoss. "He's too durable and relentless and he's going to be a little more active, cut the ring off on Manny [better] than Rios did.
Though he still believed Pacquiao is capable of regaining his tip-top form, Sanchez advised the eight division world champion's camp to pick another stand-still fighter like Rios in his next fight before taking on elite-level opponents.
"I think he needs another one just like the Rios fight to get his confidence back, to be the Manny of old," Sanchez added. "I think the year off was good for him because he recharged his body and he looked fantastic on his legs.
"He was able to do all of the things he used to do without compromising any of his defense or any of his old ways. I think in another fight he will even recoup more of that year lost," he added.
Pacquiao and Provodnikov - How long would their friendship last?
Provodnikov quickly rejected the idea of fighting Pacquiao for any future bouts, insisting that he's doing the "right thing" as a friend of the Filipino champ.
"I don't want to fight Pacquiao, and I think I'm doing the right thing," the Siberian Rocky told Boxing Scene.
Provodnikov, who served as Pacman's sparring partner during his preparation for some of his big fights, has recently captured the WBA Jr. Welterweight belt after dismantling Mike Alvarado in the 10th round of their clash held in the latter's hometown in Denver last October.
By virtue of his sensational victory over Alvarado and another 12-round slugfest with Timothy Bradley, Provodnikov emerged as an up-and-coming star in the sport and perhaps the heir-apparent to Pacquiao as HBO Boxing's biggest draw.