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Dmitry Pirog discusses Sergio Martinez: If you think i stole your belt....

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011.

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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....fight me and prove that it belongs to you.

By Gabriel Montoya

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Following his second successful defense of his WBO middleweight title, Dmitry From Russia with Love Pirog, 19-0 (15), decided to pay a little visit to Atlantic City, New Jersey this past weekend to check out the man he considers to be number one on his hit list: lineal middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. Pirog took a chance and came to America to take a look at the competition in person and state his case.

I wanted to see Sergio Martinez fight live, Pirog told us through his interpreter, Vadim. I had not seen him in real life yet. I think that sooner or later, we will fight. Sooner or later. So I thought I would come after the great fight I just had and answer any questions that any of the press that would be there might have. And hopefully, maybe I could try and get some hype going for a fight with Sergio Martinez.

Since the Jacobs win, which happened on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz rematch on HBO Pay-Per-View, Pirog has not been able to fight in the U.S. It wasnt due to a visa reason but because no premium network seemed interested. HBO, then under Ross Greenburg, repeatedly ignored pleas to get him on the network despite message boards and Twitter equally lighting up about the exciting fighter from Temryuk.

In Pirogs first defense against Javier Maciel, a lot of U.S. fans tuned in to see him fight on web streams showing Russias channel 2. When they did, however, there was a bit of a letdown. Pirog seemed off. His upper body movement looked limited and the snap from his punches was not there. Afterward, it was revealed he had injured his neck coming into the bout and nearly pulled out of the fight. To hear Pirog tell it, everything happens for a reason.

There was a big difference between the Maciel fight and this one [vs. Gennady Martirosyan], said Pirog. I did have an injury. I always say that whatever happens happens for the best. When I had that injury, I met a top-level chiropractor in Russia that helped me actually get in the ring. I had a pretty serious injury. He put me in enough shape to fight that night because I was actually thinking of not fighting. Now, that chiropractor is part of my team and was with me all through my preparation for this last fight. Now I am thinking of keeping him for all my fights because he is getting to know my body and understands what it takes to get me in top-notch shape.

Against Martirosyan just two weeks ago, Pirog looked in terrific shape. The fluidity in both his legs and upper body was back. His hands seemed fast and he was able to change up his approach throughout. Watching the fight, I was reminded why I first liked Pirog. It is rare to see a Russian fighter face a malleable style that can be whatever he needs it to be. This alone makes him dangerous. His willingness to fight anybody makes him a rarity in the world of boxing today.

I think that the main reason that I can have great success in the fight with Sergio Martinez is because I saw in his last fights that he takes advantage of his opponents by fighting in a certain style that he has obtained in his experiences from fighting in Europe. Moving on his feet, fighting with his hands down, explained Pirog. A lot of fighters are not ready for that and he is able to take advantage of them but I have a lot of experience fighting in that style. Usually, I dont try to fight in an amateur style. I try to fight in a more standing up on the ground, toe-to-toe style but I think Martinez knows that if I need to- and if he tries to fight with me in that style- that I wont be discouraged. And I will be able to fight in the same style as well and that is why I think he understands that it would be a tough fight, considering my defense and all. It would be a great fight for the fans.

Pirog continued to break down what he sees in Martinez, explaining that because of their similar abilities, the first man to truly adjust and become an unsolvable puzzle will win. First of all, one of many strengthsfirst of all, I want to say that [Martinez] is one of the top fighters in the division and is one of the people who can give me a tough fight, said Pirog. We can actually have a competitive fight. One thing that is important that I want to mention is that he has a lot of success because he is a southpaw. He is able to take advantage of those that are not as used to southpaws fighting in his style. They dont get much sparring or experience fighting that style and that gives him an advantage. I dont think he will be able to take advantage of fighting an orthodox fighter that is not shorter than him but is actually taller than him. He doesnt want to take the fight with me because once the fight starts, I dont have to fight in one style with my hands up. I can move around the ring the way he does. I can drop my hands and we can fight in a similar style. I can match his style and he will still have to raise his hands at some point. That will make him uncomfortable because that will make him more of an ordinary fighter. We will have a competitive fight because we will have to mix styles and come to a style that works for both of us. If not, one of us is going to have to a big, big win.

I think it is obvious to many people the reason that Martinez is calling out Pacquiao or Mayweather is that those are a lot more of a money fight, said Pirog. Even people in Russia are talking about that and professional boxing is not as developed in Russia as here [in the US]. Im more of a risky opponent for him while there is not as much financial interest in having a fight with me but what I think is more important is that great fights bring great opportunities. We can all think that if it was possible to have a fight with Pacquiao or Mayweather, it would have happened by now. He may not be the best option for those fighters either because he is bigger but if he were to take a fight with me, its a risk but at the same time, its a real fight. Im not just another opponent that he may be picking. I am 100% sure that sooner or later, if neither of us loses a fight, the fight is still going to happen. Hes a world champion. Im a world champion. We are both top fighters in the division. It would be a competitive fight unlike other fights.

if I fought Martinez, it would be a top-level competitive fight that everybody would enjoy. It would not be one-sided. It would be a real fight and I think that is what everybody wants. Its not like Martinez vs. Pacquiao, two fighters in completely different divisions. I think this fight is something that everyone deserves to see.

Whenever he is asked about Pirog, Martinezs promoter Lou DiBella generally responds by saying that no one knows who Pirog is. Its a point we all can concede. Even Pirog knows he needs to raise his profile in the US. DiBella will also respond that since Pirog stole the belt from Martinez, he will never get the fight with his guy. Now that point cannot be conceded. Fighters fight. They take the opportunities given to them. Thats what Pirog did when the WBO ordered Jacobs vs. Pirog for the vacant WBO belt. Thats on the sanctioning body, not the fighter. Pirog had a better take on the comments.

As far as what Lou DiBella says, every time I am mentioned, if he thinks that I stole the belt. I think the best thing for Martinez to do is fight me and prove that its his belt, Pirog answered smoothly. I mean, thats probably what any other fighter would want to do. Whats more important is that we are the top fighters in the division. I can even give up the WBO belt and still fight him. Its not about the belt. Its about fighting the best fighters in the division.

As far as fighting anybody else, as far as Sturm, I dont see the reason for going to Germany and fighting over there, Pirog said. As I said, I want to fight in the U.S. Thats all I want to do. I want to make sure that my fans can enjoy my style. I know they want to see me again. I can fight anywhere but the best thing is for me to fight in America. I think that is what everybody wants. Hopefully, that is what will happen.

While Pirog is 31 and nobodys kid, he is relatively inexperienced as a pro. He had a solid amateur background and went so far as to train himself through his first nine pro fights so we know he is disciplined, determined and very tough. We asked if he was worried about losing his belt should he risk too much too soon against Martinez.

I dont think that I am so attached to the belt, that is should I worry about it so much, said Pirog. Ive always taken risks. I feel that maybe I even took a small risk with Jacobs. Some people said I may not be ready for him either but it came out the other way around. I feel that I dont want to beat Martinez and have people say that he was already too old for me. I want to fight Martinez now that he is in his prime. It is a risk but I feel I can have success.

Pirog paused and then added smartly, And if anybody thinks that I dont have enough experience, maybe [Martinez] should take the fight. However it shakes out with Martinez, Pirog and his team are very focused not just on Martinez but on getting Pirog another U.S. fight and most importantly, exposure on a major network. I expect that to happen in the coming year.

Click to expand...

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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Bad news Sergio, pretending that Pirog does not exist does not make him disappear. He flew all the way from Russia to hunt you down lmao

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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CoDer Boxing Junkie Full Member

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WAR Pirog!

CoDer, Oct 4, 2011

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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uhhmmmm... he stole my belt, i won't fight him :nut

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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look at all these Sergiosexuals pretending that Pirog does not exist lmao

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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Jaguar Boxing Addict Full Member

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el mosquito said: ↑

Bad news Sergio, pretending that Pirog does not exist does not make him disappear. He flew all the way from Russia to hunt you down lmao
Click to expand...

:deal

Jaguar, Oct 4, 2011

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Cableaddict Boxing Junkie Full Member

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Pirog seems to know how to play the game, both inside & outside the ring.

Go, Dimitry!

Cableaddict, Oct 4, 2011

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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Pirog is not impressed with Sergio's style. He seems like a knowledgeable guy when it comes to fighting

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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rayhogan Dont worry Pac, you wont Full Member

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If Martinez fights Pirog and ko Pirog, will you have alot of excuses like booradley did when martinez embarrass pavlik?

rayhogan, Oct 4, 2011

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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i'm surprised no one likes to talk about this. but a thread saying Martinez vs Cotto or martinez vs (insert name of an ex-featherweight) is always teeming with loud rabid sergiasexuals complaining that no one wants to fight their man.

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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slugger3000 You Mad Bro? Full Member

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I would love to see this bout!

slugger3000, Oct 4, 2011

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rayhogan said: ↑

If Martinez fights Pirog and ko Pirog, will you have alot of excuses like booradley did when martinez embarrass pavlik?
Click to expand...

Of course not, Martinez just beat a rival champ at middleweight. But he has to fight him first.:good

el mosquito, Oct 4, 2011

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naldo marshal heavyweight champ Full Member

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long life, my king: pirog

naldo marshal, Oct 5, 2011

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el mosquito Boxing Addict banned

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lets drum up some noise for the Russian visitor and wish him well on his quest to find Sergia Martinez and get him in a ring

el mosquito, Oct 5, 2011

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Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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I happen to follow and very much like the both of them and think it's the best fight to be made at middleweight. Although, I was also looking forward to Pirog's unification bout with Geale. Was that never official?

Boxed Ears, Oct 5, 2011

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