Provodnikov Upset On FNF Season 13 Opener

Ruslan Provodnikov celebrated after the final bell sounded in his headliner bout on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, the season opener for the popular series. But his glee turned to sorrow when the judges spoke. Mauricio Herrera, who conceded that the Russian junior welterweight had landed the harder shots, had earned the unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

The WBC Continental Americas and IBF North American belts were up for grabs at the Cox Pavilion.

Judges Duane Ford and Dick Houck saw Herrera winning 116-112 and Adalaide Byrd had him winning 115-113.

Provodnikov dropped to 17-1 while the Californian Herrera is now 16-1.

–Demetrius Andrade improved to a perfect (12-0, 8KO's) scoring an eight round decision over gamer Alberto Herrera (7-2-1, 5KO's) at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV.  The bout, promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, kicked off ESPN's 2011 “Friday Night Fight” series.

Andrade, the 2007 Amateur World Champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian won by scores of 80-72, 80-72, 79-73.

He didn't impress ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas, who opined that it may well be time for Andrade to dump his dad Paul, the head trainer. For a guy with over 200 amatuer fights, Teddy is right…Andrade looks like someone still finding his identity, and he may well have tuned dad out.

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