Tag: HBO

IBR on The Cruelest Sport

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While the acrimony between boxing’s two biggest promotional companies, Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, is not without its casualties, it has resulted in some compelling fights. Consider Top Rank’s junior welterweight and welterweight stable, where Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley, Mike Alvarado, Brandon Rios and Ruslan Provodnikov (promoted by Artie Pellulo, and therefore not the enemy) are in the second phase of what looks like an unofficial round robin. Tomorrow night, Alvarado and Provodnikov will try and add their names to the winner’s bracket when they meet in a junior welterweight fight from the 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado.

Read Hair Trigger: Mike Alvarado-Ruslan Provodnikov Preview on The Cruelest Sport.

IBR on The Cruelest Sport

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“The outcome was as expected: Tim Bradley won a unanimous decision over Ruslan Provodnikov last night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. But the expectation that Bradley, openly frustrated with his career, was being given a palliative in Provodnikov was quickly turned on its ear. Over the course of twelve harrowing rounds, Bradley was repeatedly pushed to the threshold of his resolve by the incorrigible Provodnikov. However much the boxing community may have considered Bradley an imposter on the throne, Provodnikov treated him like a king, and, against such distinguished opposition, looked to overthrow royalty.”

Read A Ruthless Scrutiny: Tim Bradley W12 Ruslan Provodnikov on The Cruelest Sport.

IBR on The Cruelest Sport

Adrien Broner v Gavin Rees

“It started with his pledge to “put on a show.” What was intended as entertainment, considering the showman, was more than the miserable expectations a mismatch can produce. What was intended as entertainment, considering the showman, was sure to involve extracurricular self-indulgence of the grooming and rapping variety. For those looking for a fight, what was intended as entertainment at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Saturday night included self-proclaimed showman Adrien Broner dismantling Gavin Rees over five lopsided rounds.”

Read “A Shallow Pulse: Adrien Broner TKO5 Gavin Rees” on The Cruelest Sport.