By Igor Lazorin, tass

The former junior welterweight world champion under the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Ruslan Provodnikov of Siberia, is still receiving plenty of offers to stage a ring return, according to his manager Vadim Kornilov of World of Boxing.

In particular, Provonikov was offered the opportunity for a featured slot last December on the undercard of the heavyweight battle between Alexander Povetkin and Christian Hammer.

Povetkin in the twelve round match, held in Yekaterinburg on December 15, 2017, defeated Hammer on points and defended the international WBO title and the intercontinental title of the World Boxing Association (WBA).

The last time Provodnikov went to the ring was on June 11, 2016, when he lost a twelve round decision to John Molina. This defeat was the fourth in the last seven fights for the Russian slugger.

He won the WBO world title in October 2013, beating Mike Alvarado by TKO in the 10th round, but lost the belt in the next fight, losing to huge underdog Chris Algieri on points.

The most famous bout Provodnikov took part in was when he moved in weight to challenge Timothy Bradley for the WBO welterweight title. Provodnikov lost on points, but sent Bradley down in the final round and was close to knockout during several moments in the fight.

Provodnikov has since entered the world of politics back home and his new career is taking off.

"It's absolutely real [that Provodnikov could resume their career], but I really would not like that. There were already several proposals. Provodnikov was offered to perform on the undercard of the Povetkin-Hammer show on December 15. The opponent, however, was not even discussed, he [ Provodnikov] could just come back - but Ruslan is now doing a lot of work in terms of political activity, he has a great responsibility. I do not think he will want to leave his obligations and his people without support, even for two months, so I think that the resumption of his career is unlikely," Kornilov said.

The 34-year-old has a record of 25 wins (18 by KO) and 5 defeats.