Undefeated WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley 29-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., will defend his strap against the aggressive, entertaining contender Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs), of Russia, on Saturday, March 16, at the Home Depot Center televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. It marks Bradley’s first fight since last summer, when he controversially defeated Manny Pacquiao.
In the televised co-feature, 23-year-old Las Vegas welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas (21-0, 9 KOs) will meet Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso (23-0, 19 KOs), 27, of Nigeria, in a scheduled 10-rounder.
Former two-time Méxican Olympian Óscar Valez (2-0, 2 KOs) will also appear on the undercard of the event, fighting in a six-round featherweight bout.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Banner Promotions and Tecate, Bradley-Provodnikov will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.
Bradley vs. Provodnikov is a decent scrap, and quite frankly, it’s good just to see Bradley getting back in the ring. He’s been inactive for way too long. Hopefully against Provodnikov, he’ll have an opponent he can look good against, and then gear up for a big-name fight in the stacked welterweight division. There are certainly plenty of intriguing opponents out there.
Bradley and Provodnikov have both agreed to VADA testing for the fight.
The press conference to announce the Bradley vs. Provodnikov fight will be held on Wednesday, February 6th. So be sure to check back in with us then, as we’ll have quotes from the fighters and photos of the presser, and more.