Timothy Bradley Jr. vs. Ruslan Provodnikov - Saturday night fight/chat thread

[Kirkland Laing]

If they hadn't robbed the Russian of the first round KD he would have won.

[Mars_ax]

If they hadn't robbed the Russian of the first round KD he would have won.

I thought the 12th round was a 10-7 round for Provo as well.

[Tam Seddon]

That was one of the best fight I've seen this year.

[Gandalf]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

[Spicoli]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

Bradley was a walking concussion in this fight, he said so himself. He changed his game and boxed given that but he was in no way walking away with clean & comfort rounds like some boxing guru. He was hurt badly, and hurt on the reg.

It was no robbery but one guy alone did the clear hurting in this fight.

[Gandalf]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

Bradley was a walking concussion in this fight, he said so himself. He changed his game and boxed given that but he was in no way walking away with clean & comfort rounds like some boxing guru. He was hurt badly, and hurt on the reg.

It was no robbery but one guy alone did the clear hurting in this fight.

It doesn't matter if you beat someone up for 3 rounds and lose the other 9. Boxing is scored on a round by round basis and Bradley outlanded his opponent by a good 130 punches. Provodnikov won the event, but the fight was won by Bradley. The difference in power was obvious, but so was the difference in skill for the vast majority of the fight. Bradley was largely in control in all but rounds 1, 2 and 12 IMO. Provodnikov had his moments in other rounds, but he was largely outboxed. The only reason it was close is because Bradley had the red mist from the off. He fought a tactically terrible fight, but his class won him the rounds. He was a much better boxer.

[Gandalf]

I really wasn't too impressed with how Bradley looked or sounded in that post fight interview. He talked of being dizzy and seeing the way he was taking punches it just didn't look good. He wasn't slurring or anything, but he did sound a bit drunk and wasn't all there. It was odd as Bradley is usually very clear in his diction and comes across as being very sharp. Also his wife and Mum couldn't watch beyond the first round which wasn't good. Bradley needs to sharpen up quick because this fight was simply not good for him. It was great to watch, but NO fighter at this level should be allowing themselves to be hit 35 odd times in a round against a power puncher when you have all the tools to not be hit like that. I don't see how that is a good strategy.

It was just very disconcerting to me. I couldn't fathom what I was watching at times. Was this an attempt to win over the fans who dismissed him as boring against Manny? Was it simply a man hurt and fighting on instinct? Whatever it was, it wasn't how an elite boxer fights. It was a bit like Hatton/Pacquiao in that second round and you were just wondering when he would be down with his lights out. It was fantastic that he came back and ground out the result, but that team needs to ask some serious questions.

If Bradley continues to be as sloppy as that and against better fighters, he is going to pay the price and it simply won't be a long career and that would be a shame as he is an excellent and versatile fighter. He has all the tools to extend this career until his mid 30's, but fights like that aren't good for anyone.

I say a rematch and to do it properly this time. He can learn from those first 2 rounds and do it right. It really has shades of Barrera/Juarez for me and a rematch has to happen and I would like it be a somewhat tedious boxing clinic as I am a fan of Bradley and know he is better than this.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

Bradley was a walking concussion in this fight, he said so himself. He changed his game and boxed given that but he was in no way walking away with clean & comfort rounds like some boxing guru. He was hurt badly, and hurt on the reg.

It was no robbery but one guy alone did the clear hurting in this fight.

It doesn't matter if you beat someone up for 3 rounds and lose the other 9. Boxing is scored on a round by round basis and Bradley outlanded his opponent by a good 130 punches. Provodnikov won the event, but the fight was won by Bradley. The difference in power was obvious, but so was the difference in skill for the vast majority of the fight. Bradley was largely in control in all but rounds 1, 2 and 12 IMO. Provodnikov had his moments in other rounds, but he was largely outboxed. The only reason it was close is because Bradley had the red mist from the off. He fought a tactically terrible fight, but his class won him the rounds. He was a much better boxer.

I find myself agreeing with miles...

[Spicoli]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

Bradley was a walking concussion in this fight, he said so himself. He changed his game and boxed given that but he was in no way walking away with clean & comfort rounds like some boxing guru. He was hurt badly, and hurt on the reg.

It was no robbery but one guy alone did the clear hurting in this fight.

It doesn't matter if you beat someone up for 3 rounds and lose the other 9. Boxing is scored on a round by round basis and Bradley outlanded his opponent by a good 130 punches. Provodnikov won the event, but the fight was won by Bradley. The difference in power was obvious, but so was the difference in skill for the vast majority of the fight. Bradley was largely in control in all but rounds 1, 2 and 12 IMO. Provodnikov had his moments in other rounds, but he was largely outboxed. The only reason it was close is because Bradley had the red mist from the off. He fought a tactically terrible fight, but his class won him the rounds. He was a much better boxer.

Actually it does. Simply a kd in each of the three rounds and you have yourself a draw. You can have all the skill in the world but power is the game changer and the automatic eraser when its effects are obvious and take the opponent out of his gameplan, not to mention put him on queerstreet at multiple times. This is not amatuer boxing and sheer numbers do not outweigh impact effective punching! As fights are round by round they are also minute to minute and wobbling halfway across the ring and clearly stunned off two negates early jabbing in my book. Quality over quantity. This was a close mutual scrap with hearts on sleeves by both and the benifit goes to the Champion they say, unless you are Manny, but to suggest that Bradley was waltzing away with clean rounds while also being hurt badly, forced into exchanges, is a distortion of what it means to "hit and not be hit!

[gest12645]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

Bradley outboxed Provodnikov throughout half of the fight is more accurate. The other half was Provodnikov hurting Bradley. It was a close fight, and I won't say it was a bad decision. Still, I think Prov won this by a point

[Hulk]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

The way the referee ruled the knockdowns and did NOT rule the knockdowns made the decision pretty much have to go to Bradley. You are right with only 1 kd to his credit, Prodnik or as Roy says "whatever his name is" could not win on points.

Pat Russell had a lot to do with the outcome in this one. Constantly going over to Roach's corner to try to stop it after Ruslan had just beat the hell outta Bradley the round before !

Then hovering over Povidnikov about stopping it on the cut.

Then letting the fight go on much longer than most refs would when Bradley was on queer street and FINALLY ruling a knockdown oh so conveniently with 10 seconds left in the damn fight !

Bradley is a warrior and he showed inhuman heart. Proodnikov did as well, and pretty much Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor'd Bradley's ass.

All of this from the #10 140 lber in the world !!!

[Gandalf]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

The way the referee ruled the knockdowns and did NOT rule the knockdowns made the decision pretty much have to go to Bradley. You are right with only 1 kd to his credit, Prodnik or as Roy says "whatever his name is" could not win on points.

Pat Russell had a lot to do with the outcome in this one. Constantly going over to Roach's corner to try to stop it after Ruslan had just beat the hell outta Bradley the round before !

Then hovering over Povidnikov about stopping it on the cut.

Then letting the fight go on much longer than most refs would when Bradley was on queer street and FINALLY ruling a knockdown oh so conveniently with 10 seconds left in the damn fight !

Bradley is a warrior and he showed inhuman heart. Proodnikov did as well, and pretty much Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor'd Bradley's ass.

All of this from the #10 140 lber in the world !!!

Yes, it was a poor refereeing job. Even if the ref had missed the KD, I would have given him the count for simply falling on his arse like a Zab Judah wannabe. The guy was clearly hurt and falling over. You have to count him as he can't even stand up properly!

Rematch! It was a lesser skilled puncher against a better fighter who had forgot it was fight night. I doubt a rematch would be in any way as eventful. A cautious, safe Bradley shutting his man out is what I want to see.

[Hulk]

Is anyone truly suggesting that Bradley lost that fight? I find that a strange way of thinking and especially as there was seemingly no KD in the first (I think there should have been a knockdown). Even with 2 scored KD's Provodnikov was outboxed throughout 3 quarters of the fight. That makes it closer, but an actual loss for Bradley? Peculiar.

The way the referee ruled the knockdowns and did NOT rule the knockdowns made the decision pretty much have to go to Bradley. You are right with only 1 kd to his credit, Prodnik or as Roy says "whatever his name is" could not win on points.

Pat Russell had a lot to do with the outcome in this one. Constantly going over to Roach's corner to try to stop it after Ruslan had just beat the hell outta Bradley the round before !

Then hovering over Povidnikov about stopping it on the cut.

Then letting the fight go on much longer than most refs would when Bradley was on queer street and FINALLY ruling a knockdown oh so conveniently with 10 seconds left in the damn fight !

Bradley is a warrior and he showed inhuman heart. Proodnikov did as well, and pretty much Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor'd Bradley's ass.

All of this from the #10 140 lber in the world !!!

Yes, it was a poor refereeing job. Even if the ref had missed the KD, I would have given him the count for simply falling on his arse like a Zab Judah wannabe. The guy was clearly hurt and falling over. You have to count him as he can't even stand up properly!

Rematch! It was a lesser skilled puncher against a better fighter who had forgot it was fight night. I doubt a rematch would be in any way as eventful. A cautious, safe Bradley shutting his man out is what I want to see.

I wanted to see Bradley get his ass humbled and stopped in this one. But, yes in a rematch Bradley would def box smart. However, I think the unorthodox punches of Jirov Jr. would end up catching him again. Bradley has a terrible habit of rising up after punching, which got him hurt a lot in this one. What heart though to rally back.

[Beanz]

Khan beats Bradley. Full Stop.

[rosco1984]

Cracking fight!never thought ad say that watching Bradley.was on the edge ov my seat hoping he would get knocked out but credit when it's due he has some chin and conditioning to come bk from the first two rounds.think Bradley just done enough to nick it but that last round he showed alot ov heart to survive!