Provodnikov may fight Pacquiao if price is right

MANILA, Philippines - If offered the moon and the stars, reigning WBO junior-welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov will have to take the fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Provodnikov has so much respect for Pacquiao. He was a sparring partner of Pacquiao when the latter trained for Tim Bradley in Baguio City last year.

The 29-year-old Russian is also being trained by Freddie Roach and considers Pacquiao a friend. If he could have his way, Pacquiao would be the last man he’d fight.

“Everybody knows that I don’t want to fight Manny Pacquiao because, most importantly, we are trained by the same fighter and the fact that we are friends, and I have a lot of respect for Manny,” Provodnikov told The Ring.

But in boxing, money talks, and if Provodnikov is offered something he can’t refuse, then fight fans might see him up against Pacquiao on April 12 at the MGM Grand.

Bob Arum said Pacquiao vs Provodnikov can be made.

Provodnikov can’t make as much money facing Bradley in a rematch or Juan Manuel Marquez than being in a fight against Pacquiao.

A $5 million purse could make Provodnikov change his mind.

“Freddie has said himself that if Ruslan was offered a lot of money to fight Manny, it would be hard to say no,” said Provodnikov’s handler, Vadim Kornilov.

“Because it would mean everything for Ruslan and the future of his family,” Kornilov added.

Provodnikov hails from Beryozovo, a tiny village in Siberia, and his background says he endured 10-hour trips to Moscow to train as an amateur.

Provodnikov is a hard worker. He has paid his dues and when he stopped Mike Alvarado in the 10th round last October, it seemed like there’s no end to the celebration inside the ring.

His mother joined in the celebrations. They kissed and hugged, and blood as a result of Provodnikov’s cuts were all over her face.

A star was born on that night in Broomfield, and Provodnikov could be next for Pacquiao.

“In my opinion, Ruslan would fight Manny Pacquiao if he was made an offer he couldn’t refuse. But until it comes to that, we are much more interested in all the other great fights out there for us right now, like Marquez or Bradley,” Kornilov told Lem Satterfield of The  Ring.

Marquez and Bradley are also being considered as Pacquiao’s possible opponent for April.

They all want Pacquiao.