"My manager and promoter told me that nobody really wants to fight me...I am ready to fight him any time. For me, he is actually the best opponent out there right now. His promoter and manager are the ones that don't want him to fight me. Whether it's the weight issue or some other reasons, I'm not sure. It's not my fault that the fight is not happening. I'm ready to fight anybody," stated WBO jr. welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov, who talked about his anticipated June 14 return to the ring. Check out what else he had to say!
MR: Ruslan, you have become a fan-favorite and everyone is anticipating your ring return in June, but you can't seem to lock down a dance partner. Why has it been so hard to secure a fight?
RP: My manager and promoter told me that nobody really wants to fight me.
MR: Brandon Rios has been extremely vocal about wanting to fight you next. He is adamant that he can make 140? Do you have concerns about him making weight and why?
RP: No, I don't have any concerns. I am ready to fight him any time. For me, he is actually the best opponent out there right now. His promoter and manager are the ones that don't want him to fight me. Whether it's the weight issue or some other reasons, I'm not sure. It's not my fault that the fight is not happening. I'm ready to fight anybody.
MR: What will it take for a fight to happen between you and Brandon Rios? It seems that the fans want it and I would assume that HBO would approve it, unlike Antonio DeMarco.
PR: His promoter and manager need to decide to allow for him to take this fight. They have not come forward even one step on wanting to make the fight, according to my team, and the articles that Bob Arum put in the press about him worrying that Brandon will not make weight.
MR: Hank Lundy has been very vocal that he is up for the challenge as well. Would you consider fighting Hank now that talks of fighting DeMarco have seemed to cease?
RP: Yes, sure. I'm not against fighting him. I would fight Hank Lundy any time.
MR: Maurico Herrera recently gave Danny Garcia a tough fight. Would you like to avenge that loss with Herrera one day?
RP: Anytime. I am ready to fight Herrera.
MR: Who do you think wins between Pacquaio-Bradley? Do you see yourself fighting the winner?
RP: I think it will be a close fight again, but I will be rooting for my friend Manny Pacquaio. He needs to prove to everybody that he won the fight from the first time. I am looking forward to fighting Timothy Bradley in a rematch. My team has assured me that I will be in the mix with one of these fighters in the fall and this gives me a lot of motivation.