Alt mw: Dimitry pirog

Pirog had the potential to become a real star, for mine.

I'd have backed him to beat Golovkin and possibly dominate the division for several years.

 

He’d probably occupy the same tier as Jacobs. Jacobs wasn’t really fully developed when he fought Pirog and the fight was at least even before he got stopped. His fights after Jacobs were pretty boring. It’s a leap of faith to say he would’ve been great, but his highlight reel is sweet.

 

In March 2017, Pirog replaced Alexander Metkin in the State Duma, the Russian lower house, representing governing party United Russia.[14][13]

On 24 March 2022, the United States Treasury sanctioned him in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[15]

 

Superb skills.
G was in prime form when they were scheduled to fight. Excellent style contrast. This was befor G was in full on Mexican style mode. I liked G's style better then. I'd lean towards G

 

I've got a lot of time for Jacobs but I don't think there's any point in his career, fully developed or otherwise, in which he bests Pirog. It would be difficult to pinpoint what Jacobs has added to his game, which would make a material difference in another match with Pirog and, IMO, there's no one Jacobs has beaten since, who'd be the favorite against Pirog, either.

Pirog was demonstrably a level above Jacobs and might well have had room to develop and improve further as a professional, himself.

 

Pirog wasn’t young. He retired at 32. Jacobs is seven years younger and had little issue going the distance against GGG and Canelo in competitive fights.

 

He gets beat by Golovkin and becomes a rock solid, top-5 contender for a few years afterward. I think Golovkin's jab would have neutralized Pirog for the most part, but I would have taken Pirog over nearly everyone else had he stayed healthy.

 

I'm not certain about the point you are attempting to make here. You haven't really explained what you mean by "fully developed" and the only inference I can draw from the above is that you are using the outcome of Jacobs' bout with Golovkin, as a benchmark for whatever you do mean. In turn, I can only assume that you are trying to reduce the significance of Pirog's victory over Jacobs, perhaps?

Don't get me wrong, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the view on Pirog's win be tempered, but it does seem to carry with it a good bit of assumption. I would still ask for the something a little more specific, in terms of how Jacobs had added to his game, in between his respective losses to Pirog and Golovkin.

There is also the nature of the benchmark itself; meaning that, the flip-side to that outcome says less about Jacobs and more about Golovkin. That is, just maybe, Golovkin's first time in with a genuine, world class opponent told a tale on him (which I happen to think is the case).

I still think we got to glean a very good idea about how good Pirog was, from his performance against Jacobs in 2010. I really don't see, at this point, any reason to handicap the value of the win; especially with a factor so vague, as to not really be a factor at all.

Getting back to the OP, had the Pirog/Golovkin bout ever taken place, Pirog might well have been the best opponent Golovkin faced in his entire career. Certainly, from 2010 to 2012, he would have been a massive step up in class for Golovkin.

So, I'd still say Pirog is the solid bet against Golovkin and potentially the dominant force of the division for a good few years.

 

This is a fair alternative history.
Naturally, everything would depend on what happens in a Pirog/Golovkin match.

Though, the outcome of their first meeting might lead to a series.

 

Pirog was Jacobs' first step up and he looked pretty nervous. It's pretty basic to assume he was better after winning a bunch of title fights.

 

Agreed.

 

Priog was a talent, but he caught Jacobs before he was fully developed. Jacobs caught GGG on the side where he was sightly past his prime if we are being honest. Vs Maciel, Priog didn't dominate him and he was noting special.

There is little else on Priog resume ( 20-0 15 KO's ) to suggest he would have beaten Golovkin. He was good. Golovkin however was great and proved it over a long career. I suspect Pirog would just be a good name on Golovkin's lengthy title run.

 

I personally think Pirog was very good. Unorthodox style and stance and he was clearly problematic for a lot of guys. Sometimes he reminds me a bit of Derevyanchenko. That said I'm pretty sure that GGG beats him. Apart from Golovkin's footwork and jab, the real difference in this case is the power. Pirog was a decent hitter but nothing more. Golovkin had lights out power and he knew how to set it up. I present these two contrasting videos against a common opponent:

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Pirog won a good, competitive fight. He looked flashy at times and a pleasure to watch.

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Golovkin doesnt waste time on looking good. He spends a lot of time guaging Ishida's reaction and rhythm and then drops the hammer. His jab is a ramrod that dictates the pace of the fight and Golovkin's punches move Ishida. It's clear that he wants the overhand right from the start and when he finally drops it, its like the hammer of Thor. Ishida never really was even in the fight.