• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

April 19, 2015, Queens, NY  Ouch!!!  That’s what Ruslan Provodnikov, 27-4, 17 KOs, known as the “Siberian Rocky” must have said after an inadvertent clash of heads forced him to derail his fight plan as he lost a majority decision to Argentinian Lucas Matthysse, 37-3, 34 KOs, in Verona, NY.  The fight was three decades and three days after arguably the most action-packed and brutal fight in the history of the sweet science, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns vs. “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, which occurred on April 15, 1985.  It was thought by many that Matthysse-Provodnikov could produce similar fireworks but, for the (head) butt.

The fight was scored  114-114 by one judge and 115-113 by the other two judges.  Harold Lederman, Hall of Fame boxing judge and HBO expert commentator scored the bout a draw.  PureSportsNY scored the fight 117-111 for Matthyse.  PureSportsNY Senior boxing writer Greg Jacobs remarked that he doesn’t always understand Lederman’s “judging.”  Here’s why Jacobs is right, and the judges were wrong.  Matthysse landed 327 punches to Provodnikov’s 201, a 126 punch advantage.  Matthysse threw 279 more punches, 1034 to 755, and landed at a higher connect percentage, 32% to 27%.  One might argue that maybe Provodnikov landed the harder punches.  Well, let’s go to the video-stats.  Provodnikov landed only 156 power punches compared to Matthysse’s 194.  Matthysse’s power-punch connect percentages was 47%, and Provodnikov’s was 28%.  There were no knockdowns, so how does anyone get a “draw” from those numbers?  If the fight was a draw, what more did Matthysse need to do since his output and efficiency weren’t enough?

The headbutt changed the course of the fight even though Matthysse came out and boxed the Siberian Rocky’s ears off in the first round, circling, jabbing, and eventually reddening the side of his (Provodnikov’s) face.  In the second round, the fighters’ heads collided and Provodnikov got the worst of it.  A nasty gash on his eyelid gushed blood throughout the fight.  Provodnikov couldn’t press the action with his usual effectiveness because Matthysse was content to let him come forward and pick him apart with jabs and hooks.  In the fourth round, Provodnikov rallied and landed some hard punches.  It seemed that Hagler-Hearns could be in the offing; however, Matthysse continued to pepper the cut on the left eye while also targeting the right eye which swelled considerably.  At times, the fight was gruesome in the age of high definition television.  Sometimes, too much color and dots per inch (dpi) makes you wish for a good ol’ black and white 12″ television (a baby-boomer reference).

Provodnikov had his most success in the final three rounds.  This was a result of Matthysse being told by his corner that he had a sizeable lead in rounds and his being somewhat fatigued.  Provodnikov landed some blows that rocked Matthysse, but Matthysse never appeared to be on the verge of being knocked down or out.

While many pundits and fans would like to see a rematch, there is no way that Matthysse will be stepping back in the ring with Provodnikov.  Matthysse would probably like a rematch with Danny Garcia, but Garcia is as likely to give Matthysse a rematch as Matthysse is to give Provodnikov one.  Matthysse could fight the very spectacular Terrence Crawford, but Crawford needs to get on the radar of the “fringe” boxing fan for that fight to really make $en$e.  Provodnikov will need sufficient time for his cut to heal.  Even though he is one of the toughest in the sport, he has been in many wars and that takes a toll on even the sturdiest fighters.

Hypothetically speaking, what would have happened if Provodnikov could have been more relentless in pursuit of Matthysse? Matthysse did tire down the stretch and would have depreciated at a faster rate if he were pressured more intensely.  However, Matthysse executed a masterful plan and has solidified his standing as one of the best fighters at junior welterweight.  But, for the Butt, we may never know.

Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

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