Provodnikov-Matthysse On For April 18, in NY, and on HBO

You with me, you thinking this April 18 clash between Ruslan Provodnikov and Lucas Matthysse has fight of the year written all over it? Two men who have no reverse gear will tangle at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on April 18, and on HBO, it was announced today.

Art Pelullo’s Banner Promotions looked high and low for a site to place the bout and a card, and turned to Turning Stone for a fight that many say fits in Cali. Pelullo told me that indeed, it was hard to find a site, what with so much boxing popping up, and so many venues being reserved. “The casino is very sophisticated, very TV friendly, the arena there seats over 5,000 people,” he noted. “I think this fight has fight of the year potential. It’s the most fan-friendly, TV-friendly fight we’ve seen in awhile.”

He went so far back at Corrales-Castillo I, which he did with Gary Shaw and Bob Arum, as a comparison, in fact.

Pelullo told me he’s working with Eric Gomez at Golden Boy on other fights for the card. We could see other Banner fighters, like Willie Monroe, and Petr Petrov, gloving up, with one of those fights getting added to the HBO slate.

Here is the release sent out by Banner today:

SURE-FIRE ‘FIGHT OF THE YEAR’ CANDIDATE COMES EARLY IN 2015

LUCAS MATTHYSSE VS. RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV SET FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO

LIVE ON HBO BOXING AFTER DARK®

Philadelphia (Feb. 24) – A sure-fire ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate will come early as former World Champions Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse and Ruslan Provodnikov, two of boxing’s hardest punchers, take the stage in a 12-round jr. welterweight showdown on Saturday, April 18 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Banner Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Promotions announced today the clash of these two fearsome fighters will generate what is surely to be an all-action fight to remember and a treat all fight fans are excited for. The bout with be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

“I’m glad that this fight is finally done,” said Ruslan Provodnikov. “This is the fight I have been waiting for a long time. I think that this fight will be nominated for either ‘Fight of the Year’ or ‘Knockout of the Year’.”

“I only want the biggest fights against the best fighters and this fight between Provodnikov and I, will surely be ‘Fight of the Year’,” said Lucas Matthysse. “Provodnikov is a warrior that never stops throwing punches and his style suits me very well. I’m confident that I will win, and since Danny Garcia doesn’t want to fight me again, this fight will prove that I am one of the best fighters in the world.”

“One-punch knockout power. Lightning-fast action. A likely world title shot to the winner – this bout has ‘Fight of the Year’ written all over it,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “This is a fight that fans have been clamoring for since these warriors were last in action, and Golden Boy Promotions is proud to deliver it to the fans worldwide.”

“I’m very excited about the fight between Ruslan Provodnikov and Lucas Matthysse,” said Arthur Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “This has the making of Corrales – Castillo I all over again. This is the most fan-friendly and television-friendly fight in a long time. Both Ruslan and Lucas are real warriors, and it’s a fight that both fighters wanted so it was very easy to make. Working with Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez has been a pleasure.

“A dream match comes together when two men fight who are seemingly each other’s worst nightmare, and that’s a litmus test this fight passes,” said Peter Nelson, HBO Sports vice president of programming. “On April 18, HBO Boxing After Dark will present Argentine Lucas Matthysse against Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in a fight promising to be so highly combustible that just the lights turning on should set the ring ablaze.”

“The Provodnikov Matthysse matchup is destined to be one of the must-see fights of the year and we’re looking forward to hosting another exciting night of boxing at Turning Stone,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO. “In less than two years, we’ve hosted 15 nationally televised fights, distinguishing our resort as premier destination for world-class boxing.”

“Ruslan is going to put up the great fight we want for Matthysse and will show that he is the best fighter in the division,” said Mario Arano, manager of Matthysse. “Provodnikov is an uncompromising fighter, that comes to fight and his style will suit Lucas. We would like to thank Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions and HBO for making this fight possible. Fans will be excited to watch this fight and will not be disappointed.”

“I want to say thank you to Banner Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions on making this fight possible,” said Vadim Kornilov, manager of Provodnikov. “I wish there were more promoters in the sport that are prepared to have their fighters take a risk and make the best fights for the sport. Usually the fights that everybody wants to see don’t happen due to reasons beyond the understanding of the fans, and it should not be that way.”

Considered by most to be boxing’s pound-for-pound hardest puncher, Trelew, Chubut, Argentina’s Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) has the numbers and high-profile victims to prove it. Having cut through the super lightweight division with his iron fists for years and an owner of 13 knockouts in his last 13 wins, the 32-year-old has taken out several of the sport’s big names. Humberto “Zorrita” Soto, Lamont Peterson, DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, Danny “Swift” Garcia and John Molina Jr., have all suffered loses to Matthysse, while earning him the interim WBC World title at 140 pounds in the process. Now looking to reign over a new division at 147 pounds, “La Maquina” has picked the toughest available foe to test him in Russian powerhouse Provodnikov.

Dubbed the “Siberian Rocky” for his aggressive attack and unyielding will to win, Beryozovo, Russia native Ruslan Provodnikov (24-3, 17 KOs) has earned himself fight fans around the globe for his humble nature outside the ring and ferocious intensity inside the ropes. An eight-year professional, Provodnikov followed up a stellar amateur career with an even more impressive campaign in the professional game. He has had notable wins over several top foes including a ‘Fight of the Year’ bout with Timothy Bradley in 2013 and a 10th round stoppage over Mike Alvarado in 2013 that yielded him the WBO Super Lightweight World title. In his last bout in November, Provodnikov won a fifth round stoppage over former World Champion Jose Luis Castillo, now on April 18 he continues his quest for a welterweight title against Matthysse.

Matthysse vs. Provodnikov is a 12-round jr. welterweight bout presented by Banner Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!.

Host of the event, the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for blockbuster boxing matches. The April 18th fight will mark Turning Stone Resort’s 15th nationally-televised boxing event in less than two years, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season destination resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, award-winning accommodations, an eclectic mix of restaurants, luxury spas and numerous nightlife options.

Tickets for the April 18th HBO Boxing After Dark event at Turning Stone Resort go on sale on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Ticket prices are $75 for ringside seats, $50, $35 and $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

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