Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov, known as “The Siberian Rocky,” is looking to step back into the ring this fall following a close loss to Chris Algieri in June, and Philadelphia’s “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy could be next on the hard-hitting Russian’s list.
Coming off his third consecutive win in July, Lundy (25-3-1, 12 KOs) is now ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) among lightweights and would have no problem stepping up to 140 pounds to face Provodnikov, a fight he felt he should’ve had been in June when Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KOs) instead faced Algieri at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“They had a list of guys to fight, including Algieri, Richar Abril and me and when they got my name, there was no excuse. They just didn’t want to fight me,” Lundy said. “They said Algieri wasn’t exciting enough, but with me, they just didn’t want to fight me.
“Then he fought Algieri anyway and got beat! This is the kind of fight I’ve been looking for. If I’ve got to take on the big, bad wolf to prove I’m elite, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll come knocking at your door, push my way in, sit in your living room and see what the hot tea tastes like! All I can do at the end of the day is keep training and keep on knocking at their doors. These big, bad wolves, they say so much, but I’m the only one doing. I’m the one stepping to the plate and fighting.”
Lundy’s ability to win on the road in hostile environments, even on short notice, and beat the sport’s elite fighters has been well documented. The combined record of Lundy‘s last 11 opponents prior to his bout in May is a staggering 232-18-3, including a win over Abril, the current World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion.
“I’m ready,” Lundy reiterated. “If [Provodnikov] wants to fight tomorrow, I’m ready to go. I’m already ready. I never have to get ready for a fight. That’s something you learn in the hood.”
