Provodnikov’s manager Vadim Kornilov explained to WBN last week that a deal to face Matthysse, the current WBC silver title-holder, was ‘pretty close’ – with ‘The Siberian Rocky’ keen to seal a deal to swap blows with his heavy-handed rival.
“I definitely hope to fight Lucas Matthysse,” Provodnikov exclusively told World Boxing News.
“A fight with him has been one of my dream matchups for some time. I think it will be a great, great fight.
“It will be 100% a war! I think that this is the type of fight where one of us will not walk out of the ring on their own two feet,” he predicted.
RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV
The Russian recently defeated faded Mexican legend Jose Luis Castillo on his home soil. Many saw it as a routine victory.
Provodnikov is eager to secure a bout against a ranked opponent in his quest to land another world title.
Talk of the WBO sanctioning Provodnikov v Matthysse for the vacant 140lb title has been dismissed by Kornilov.
Chris Algieri is appealing the decision to strip him. Although any contest could conceivably be given eliminator status by the WBC to allow the winner to face the winner of the upcoming Danny Garcia v Lamont Peterson unification.
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