Ruslan Provodnikov, one of the possible future opponents of Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, suffered a controversial split decision defeat to unheralded American Chris Algieri yesterday in Brooklyn, New York.

According to boxing websites reports, Provodnikov knocked down Algieri twice and closed his right eye but the judges gave it to the American fighter with the scores 114-112, 114-112 and 109-117.

Despite the loss, Provodnikov of Siberia congratulated Algieri, saying “I have nothing more to say.”

With his win, Algieri remained undefeated in 20 fights with eight knockout victories while Provodnikov absorbed his third defeat in 26 fights highlighted with 16 stoppages.

Pacquiao’s American coach Freddie Roach recently said he would rather pick Provodnikov as next opponent of the Filipino boxing icon.

Pacquiao had bounced from two straight defeats including a stunning sixth round knockout loss to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez by winning his two next opponents.

Last April 12, Pacquiao regained the WBO welterweight title by beating Timothy Bradley, the same fighter who took away his world title six months before his worst defeat to Marquez in December 2012.*PNA

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