How different would 160-168 look right now if Pirog never retired?

For the uninitiated:

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When I think of wasted talent, from recent times, I think of Dmitry Pirog.

An incredibly skilled boxer, who was destined for great heights, destroyed by injurys.

He had a short lived career, at only 20 fights, though he did manage modest success.
In his 16th pro fight he challenged an incredibly promising up and comer, who would go onto become an outstanding contender, for the vacant WBO belt.
Pirog was a 3-1 underdog against Danny Jacobs, but after a few close rounds it was clear to see, Pirog was no underdog.

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By the 5th round Pirog had Jacobs all but worked out, and a somewhat controversial TKO was scored by Dmitry.


"The Grandmaster" had just taken out America's golden boy, and there was clamour for him to fight a big name.

He made three convincing, if somewhat hard fought, title defenses.
Now was the time for a big fight.
The name on the horizon?
Gennadiy Golovkin


GGG was yet to have his breakout moment, but was very highly regarded, and held the WBA title.
This was the bout to decide the best at MW, outside of the American continent.

Unfortunately for Pirog, and all boxing fans worldwide, though contracts were signed the fight would never take place.

Pirog suffered a ruptured disc in his back whilst training for the bout, and would never truly recover, forcing him into an early retirement.
A tragedy.


My questions to the forum are?
How different would the division look today?
How would have he fared against GGGs opposition?

How well would he have done against the likes of GGG, Canelo, Sergio Martinez, Peter Quillin, Felix Sturm, Cotto, Billy Joe and Andrade?

 

Couldn't agree more.

How do you think it would've gone?

 

Do you think he would've beaten GGG when they were scheduled to fight?

 

That's not really a fair comment though.
He was in obscurity and pretty much unknown to American fans, before the Jacobs fight too.
He absolutely was never in "mainstream boxing.", he was an outsider, like most Russian fighters.

Even more relevant is that GGG was still a relatively obscure figure at that point.
IIRC the Pirog fight was set to be his debut on a major TV network.

 

I tend to disagree.
Jacobs wasn't thrown into obscurity after the loss against Pirog, a lesser rated fighter than GGG, he want on to be a consistent contender, one who happened to give GGG probably the toughest fight he had up till that point.
Why would it be different for Pirog?

It got people talking about a potential matchup between him and GGG?
Surely that's something?

Bare in mind that Danny Jacobs was also unknown to most casual boxing fans in 2010, he was just a very good prospect.

Couldn't agree more.

 

I think I agree, when you look at the problems Kassim Ouma caused him in 2011 with pure boxing, it's not hard to imagine a much better technician, who's defense is on another planet to Ouma's, would surely go the distance and give GGG a much tougher night.
Plus the Ouma stoppage is a little sketchy.

I actually think he would've had a lot of trouble with Cotto, but I still fancy him.
Post 2012 Martinez is the Martinez in question, I think he was past it by this point, and Pirog would take it.

My crazy take for you:
I think he would've beaten Canelo with ease.

Bjs and Andrades movement would definitely be a tough match up stylistically.

Eubank jr and Charlo, I think I can see why you would say they would be wars.
There would be a ridiculous punch output from both men, because Pirog likes to stay in range, but I think he'd take almost every round in a competitive looking fight against both men.