Undefeated Siberian boxer eyes shot at crown

Boxing’s junior welterweight division is arguably the sport’s hottest with Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana laying claim to being the best.

Throw in Victor Ortiz, Zab Judah and Lamont Peterson, and it’s a deep, competitive weight class.

Ruslan Provodnikov thinks he belongs in the conversation regarding the top 140-pounder, and he will get a chance to prove it tonight in the main event at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion when he fights Mauricio Herrera. The 12-round bout on ESPN2 will be for the vacant WBC Continental Americas and IBF North American titles.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Provodnikov said through an interpreter. “If I win, my promoter (Art Pelullo) thinks I can get a world title shot later this year.”

Provodnikov (17-0, 11 knockouts) grew up in the small Siberian town of Berezovo — population 7,000 — but lives and trains in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old had a nice year in 2010, defeating former IBF lightweight champion Javier Jauregui and stopping Emanuel Augustus. He’s hoping to put himself in position for a chance to face Khan, Maidana or the winner of the Jan. 29 showdown between Alexander and Bradley.

“The most important thing is that I am growing psychologically as a boxer,” Provodnikov said. “I’m more confident in my abilities, and having that confidence gives me the belief I can beat anyone.

“When I beat Jauregui last year, that showed to me I can compete with the best and that I belonged.”

In Herrera, Provodnikov will face a tough fighter who, despite being a professional for only two years, is quickly making a name for himself.

“He’s really tough,” Herrera (15-1, seven KOs) said of Provodnikov. “He goes forward all the time, and it’s perfect for me. I’ll try and pop him with the jab and smother him.”

Provodnikov has proof that he doesn’t go in reverse. He was sporting a shiner on his right eye from his sparring at the Wild Card Boxing Club where he trains.

But Provodnikov didn’t seem concerned.

“It’s no problem,” he said. “I feel great. … I’m ready to take the next step forward.”

Former UNLV cruiserweight Henry Namauu also will fight on the card, meeting Manuel Otero in a six-round bout. And in the co-main event, former U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade will take on Herrera’s younger brother Alberto in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.

The first bell is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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