Just watching some of his old fights. Man, he was a throwback that could do it all. Great offensively & defensively, had killer instinct, great finisher, great arsenal of punches. How do you guys think he would have fared against Pavlik, Martinez, Williams, Abraham back then? And GGG/Canelo etc now? Reckon he could have been an ATG? I do. He was genuinely skilled.
I don't think I've ever been more disappointed with a match falling through than when Pirog pulled out of the Golovkin match, I was wrecked by that. I ran around like a maniac for 2 months beforehand telling everyone within earshot how awesome this match was going to be, meanwhile no one had any clue who the hell I was talking about and thought I was insane. I was leaning towards Pirog beating Golovkin, sadly we'll never know, but dammit it was so close. I think Pirog would have struggled with Martinez and Pavlik, but beaten Williams and Abraham (maybe).
What a shame. Pirog is better than all ggg opponents to date. I read the fight was scheduled or proposed with ggg, but pirog suffered a permanent back injury and forced to retire. I don't know if he would have beat ggg but he surely will give a run for his money.
I would favour GGG, Pavlik and Martinez over Pirog. Pirog over Williams, Abraham and Canelo plus all the other belt holders minus Golovkin.
Pirog was a genius. i would have favoured him against all of them. Although golovkin would be close. If you aspire to be a boxer just watch this guys videos. His footwork and movement is so fluid he makes it look ridiculously easy
No way would I put Kelly over Dmitry. No way. Kelly would get bamboozled. Pirog is all kinds of wrong from him, IMHO. I think he beats Sergio in a close'ish fight, but pulls away from R8. Sergio was a beast, but he was limited and predictable.
Got to say, at the time Pirog pulled out of the GGG fight, his replacement, Proksa, was viewed as almost as good. Golovkin wrecked his career.
And Pirog had far more success against Jacobs, who happens to have been either fighter's best opponent.
I think Pirog would've beaten Pavlik and Abraham. He probably would've lost the first half of a fight with Martinez but be about even money to pull out a win (late stoppage or dec). I think GGG would find a way to win. Idk w Canelo. Let's see how he does against GGG. He'd probably be competitive like he was with Lara.
How is anyone second guessing themselves about the very obvious outcome of Pirog 120-108ing Arthur Abraham (at a minimum, assuming no knockdowns scored on any checkhooks by the Grandmaster, or points deducted for fouls from frustrated Mr. Ploddy-pants, both of which are very plausible)????