There has been some suggestions that Provodnikov was keen on sealing a meeting with his former sparring partner in recent weeks, although Kornilov explained to WBN that this is not the case after discussing the matter with Top Rank.
“I can confirm that there has been conversations about a fight with Manny Pacquiao, but Ruslan is not interested in fighting him right now,” Kornilov told World Boxing News.
“Manny is his last choice because they have the same trainer in Freddie Roach and also the fact that him and Ruslan are friends.
“We are very interested in a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley or even Brandon Rios and that’s what we are looking at right now.”
Provodnikov enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2013 after running Bradley close before dethroning Mike Alvarado of his belt and just missed out on being nominated for the WBN Fighter of the Year award.
‘The Siberian Rocky’ is in the mix with all the best fighters between 140-147, and although Pacquiao would be a fairly easy fight to make through their promoter Artie Pelulo’s ties with Bob Arum, it seems the fight is off the table for the time being.
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