Provodnikov vs Torres - Northern Quest Casino

by Richard Baker

Provodnikov, from Beryozovo, Russia, is the Jake LaMotta of twenty-first fighters. Like most Russian equipment he can take a beating. What does not work does not matter. Reverse was either not installed or it broke a long time ago. Forward is the only direction he knows. Punches bounce off him like shells off a T-34 tank as he grinds through any number of punches to beat an opponent senseless.

Like LaMotta, he is a relentless and accurate body puncher and like LaMotta he is also tireless. Nothing would suit him better than to bring back 15 round bouts.

After a fight his face often looks like a battered melon dropped and kicked about. The sweetest fruit always bruises the easiest but tastes the best. Watching Provodnikov fight is a feast of action, movement, and a slugfest so strong the excitement shoots through air. Nothing satisfies like a Provodnikov fight.

With over 150 amateur fights he entered his pro career running and, with a 20-1 record, he has yet to stop. He remains one of the most accurate punchers in the game. In his bout with former IBF champion Javier Jauregui (53-16-2) he landed at 63%, remarkable for any fighter.

To prove himself, Provodnikov knows he must fight the toughest Mexican fighters available. Torres fits the bill perfectly.

His toughness is due, in part, to his upbringing in Beryozovo, Russia, an "island of snow surrounded by mountains and forest." Temperatures occasionally reach -44 degrees centigrade. Beryozovo held one of the first important gold discoveries in Siberia. Their latest export in gold may well be Provodnikov.

David Torres, tough kid from Othello, Washington, is ready to prove he is back in the game. Without the finances to train 24/7, Torres continues to be a tough contender, proven by his 21-2 record. His loses to Baymundo Beltran and Julio Diaz were not suffered without a fight. Torres is all guts and bangs with the best of them.

His last two fights were draws against veteran contenders: Michael Stewart (46-7-2) and Julio Diaz (34-4). Coming from a small farming community has not been beneficial. Quality sparring opponents are difficult to hire. If he had some financial backing so he could devote more time to the gym, and better sparring, he might be a real contender. That he has come as far as he has is due to sheer determination.

His quiet countenance and polite demeanor outside the ring belies the fact that he is a fierce and resolute contender inside the ropes.

Like Provodnikov, Torres believes a fight is a fight and not "Dancing With the Stars." I knock you out; you knock me out seems to be both their mottos.

Northern Quest Casino has not held a fight for some time and it seemed that Eastern Washington would be out an exciting sport. With the Help of Banner Promotions they are back in the game and what a way to restart the excitement!