Ruslan Provodnikov has just captured his first world title after forcing Mike Alvarado to quit on his stool in the 10th round of their WBO junior welterweight showdown last Saturday in Denver, Colorado. And yet, many boxing analysts are already predicting a bright future for the man called as the Siberian Rocky.

In an interview with the Manila Standard, Top-Rank promoter Bob Arum confirmed that he's planning to pit Provodnikov against Juan Manuel Marquez next year. The Hall of Fame match-maker is apparently interested to see a brawler in Provodnikov fighting a savvy counterpuncher in Marquez.

"An interesting fight would be between Provodnikov, who comes forward, and Juan Manuel Marquez, a great counter puncher," Arum told the Manila Standard.

Marquez is coming off a 12-round split decision loss to Timothy Bradley last October 12 and it's very much uncertain whether or not he will continue his boxing career. Moreover, fighting Provodnikov would be a big risk for the 40-year old Mexican, who absorbed an immense amount of beating by slugging it out with hard-hitting brawlers throughout his career.

Still, no one knows what's in the mind of Dinamita. Prior to Bradley fight, Marquez had been telling everyone that he desired to leave boxing in a spectacular note. Obviously, his loss to Bradley was not the kind of ending he wanted, leaving a match with an up-and-coming star like Provodnikov very much a possibility

Rumble with the Pacman

Provodnikov and Pacquiao have developed a close relationship after working out together as sparring partners over their last few fights. Like Provodnikov, Pacquiao was previously considered as a one dimensional fighter, though he never lacked the excitement fans are looking for in big fights.

A rumble between Provodnikov and Pacquiao is guaranteed to be a blockbuster. This fight would surely make boxing pumped up every single second of it as the two fighters go trade punches like crazy energy bunnies.

However, this fight appears to be impossible given that both boxers are trained by Freddie Roach. Yet again, money will always be the name of the game in boxing, and it could certainly entice Provodnikov to switch team and fight for the biggest paycheck of his career against Pacman.

The Next Pacman

Whether or not his fight with Marquez or Pacquiao will push through, Provodnikov is bound to become a big star in boxing. Though he lacks the technical skills, the Siberian Rocky offsets this deficiency by throwing himself always into the fight. 10 years ago, a virtually unknown brawler named Manny Pacquiao introduced himself in the sporting world by forcing Mexican legend Marco Antonio Berrera's camp to quit in the 11th round of their Ring Magazine Featherweight showdown. Now, another brawler is in the verge of becoming a pound-for-pound star. His name is Ruslan Provodnikov.