Herrera wins decision, pins first defeat on Provodnikov

Ruslan Provodnikov was stunned.

The Russian junior welterweight was sure he had done enough to win the WBC Continental Americas and IBF North American belts Friday at Cox Pavilion. In fact, when the outcome was announced as a unanimous decision, Provodnikov was already celebrating.

In the end, though, it was Mauricio Herrera who left the ring victorious after toughing out 12 grueling rounds to win the vacant titles over the previously unbeaten Provodnikov.

“I thought I was winning on numbers,” Herrera said. “But he landed the harder shots. I won’t deny that.”

Judges Duane Ford and Dick Houck had Herrera winning 116-112 and Adalaide Byrd had him winning 115-113. Provodnikov was still surprised as he headed to University Medical Center to have his right eye examined.

“I thought I was the one taking the fight to him,” Provodnikov said through a translator. “I dominated the fight. I blocked all his shots. He didn’t do anything and the guy wins the fight? I don’t understand.”

Provodnikov (17-1) started slowly, but in the third round he landed several lefts to raise a purple welt under Herrera’s left eye. Herrera tried to fight back, realizing his eye could quickly close and cause the fight to be stopped.

But the few times Herrera landed an effective shot, Provodnikov was able to shake it off and counter with effective overhand rights to the head and body. Yet, through eight rounds, Herrera was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards, 77-75. He stayed busy enough the rest of the way to not only remain upright but improve his record to 15-2.

“It’s huge. It’s what I had dreamed about,” Herrera said before joining his opponent at UMC to have both eyes examined. “Now, it’s upward from here.”

While Herrera was able to rejoice, his younger brother, Alberto, wasn’t as fortunate. He suffered his first professional defeat, an eight-round decision by junior middleweight Demetrius Andrade on the undercard.

Andrade (12-0) looked impressive in his Las Vegas debut. The 2008 U.S. Olympian from Providence, R.I., used superior hand speed and sharp combinations to get the better of Alberto Herrera (7-1-1).

Andrade set the tone in the first round, using his right jab to set up a devastating left hook that rocked Herrera. He followed the combination with a flurry that had Herrera holding on. He survived the round but clearly faced an uphill battle. Andrade kept going to the body with his left hand and dominated the action.

Judges Jerry Roth and Robert Hoyle had Andrade winning 80-72, while Tim Cheatham favored Andrade 79-73.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.

Fight card results on Scoreboard, Page 10C