Arum: Russian boxer wants to fight Pacquiao

Bob Arum. AP Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Top Rank Promotions honcho Bob Arum believes that Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov wants to fight boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, contrary to earlier reports.

The Hall-of-Fame promoter told Boxingscene.com’s Keith Idec that Provodnikov talked to him directly just after Pacquiao’s unanimous decision conquest of Brandon Rios last November 24.

“I really believe that the Russians want to do that fight,” Arum said. “… after the fight Ruslan was in the corner when I came down from the ring. And he told me, at least I think he told me, ‘Bob, I fight Pacquiao next year.'”

“Now, could he have not said that and said something else because of his thick accent? Yeah. But I would be willing to swear that’s what he said to me.”

Provodnikov reportedly didn’t want to slug it out with Pacquiao because of their friendship.

“How many times have you heard from guys, ‘I’m not going to fight him because he’s my friend?’ Manny certainly likes him and they trained together, but I wouldn’t say they’re friends. They’re not unfriendly, but they’re not guys that call each other up every day and talk,” Arum also said.

The 29-year-old Provodnikov is one of the opponents being considered for Pacquiao’s next fight, with American Timothy Bradley as the other option.

Pacquiao, who came from a year-long layoff before clashing with Rios, is scheduled to step on the ring anew on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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