Lucas Matthysse wins narrow decision over Ruslan Provodnikov
Sunday 19 April 2015 11:32, UK
Lucas Matthysse came out on top of Ruslan Provodnikov in a gruelling light welterweight clash in Verona, New York.
The predicted slugfest between the two heavy hitters never really took off, but both fighters were just about on fumes by the end of 12 tough rounds at the Turning Stone Resort.
Matthysse claimed a majority points decision, winning 115-113 on two cards, while the third referee scored the contest a draw after Provodnikov made a strong finish.
The Russian was at a disadvantage early in the fight, with Matthysse (34-3) making a strong start and cutting his opponent in the second after a clash of heads, meaning Provodnikov going into more of a defensive mode.
Matthysse kicked up a gear in the sixth and Provodnikov's face was a mess by the end of the round, with doubts over him coming out for the seventh.
But he continued and actually started to grow into the contest, wobbling Matthysse in the eighth after the Argentine lost his balance looking for a bout-ending punch.
And it was Provodnikov who finished the fight on the front foot, taking the last couple of rounds, but his efforts came just too late to avoid a third career defeat.
Matthysse wants to take on the winner of the forthcoming super-bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as he said: "I think I dominated the fight, I knew I had the best hits.
"Ruslan is a tough fighter, he took everything I threw at him. I have a lot of respect for him.
"There was a point when I thought that they would stop the fight because of Ruslan's cut, but his team was able to control it. I hurt my hand in the sixth round, but I kept going because I wanted to prove that I am the best in the division and that I am ready for the toughest fighters. I want to move forward and fight the winner of Mayweather-Pacquiao."
In Arlington, Texas, Terence Crawford claimed the WBO light welterweight title with a sixth-round stoppage of Thomas Dulorme.
Dulorme was knocked down three times in quick succession in the sixth as Crawford retained his unbeaten record in his first bout since moving up to the 140-pound category.
The scheduled 12-round fight in North Texas came a week before Crawford, who is now 26-0 with 18 knockouts, is scheduled to be in New York to accept his 2014 fighter of the year award from the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Book Mayweather v Pacquiao, Sky Sports Box Office, May 2, via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote from April 25. skysports.com/maypac
