Macklin vs Pirog moved from February to April - Winner to face Pavlik?

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmi...d-title-against-russian-rival-97319-25559093/

“I spoke with my manager Brian Peters, promoter Ricky Hatton and coach Joe Gallagher and we agreed April would be a better date so we are working on that. But the great news is that the fight will be recognized as a final eliminator for the WBO crown held by Kelly Pavlik. Pirog is rated No.2 by the WBO and I am No.4. So I have a fantastic additional incentive to beat Pirog.

 

I fancy Macklin, and would be supporting either lad fully against Pavlik.

I think both lads have the character to not 'do a Lockett' - but could see them both being stopped. Great opportunity though, if Kelly has a stinker either could prevail.

 

Would not like to be either Pirog or Macklin if they end up facing Pavlik, I agree ^^^^ it won't be a beatdown like that but they still get busted up. I only saw a bit of Pirog from youtube...looks ok but nothing special but i like to see more of him before predicting.

 

I think Oakey vs McIntosh is now the headline fight (if I remember correctly from when looking at boxrec).

 

Why the delay?

They do know that Pavlik needs a long time to make a fight.....

 

His next fights will be at a higher weight or against Sturm/Williams/Martinez.

He will vacate before Macklin gets his shot. If he comes through Priog it will be Gennady Golovkin for the vacant title which would be a very tough fight.

 

Even if he stays at 160, surely a there must be a WBC mandatory before a WBO one?

 

Everybody are very optimistic. For me better boxer is a Pirog. Maclin need win versus Pirog if want fight vs. Pavlik soo waiting for fight and after we can talking about fight vs. Pavlik. At polish site more people pick up Pirog.

 

This is a tough contest but not beyond Macklin...:yep

Should he get through it will be a different ball game v Pavlik...:yep

I hope he does enough to get through and get a shot at Pavlik, that will be a true test of where he is at...Maybe after that fight we might see Macklin v Barker... At the moment they are clearly going seperate routes...:yep

 

I don't think Macklin will beat Pirog.

 

Pavlik vs Pirog then :deal

 

Because Macklin isn't good enough to beat Pirog, he needs more time to train to have a chance against Pirog.

 

Macklin vs Pirog is a great contest and probably one of the best fights we will get to see this year, very hard to pick a winner. Hopefully the winner will get a shot at Pavlik who will prefer easier money against Pirog or Macklin than fighting a bigger challenge.

 

Still a very dangerous fight for Macklin but it's good it's being recognized as an eliminator for a title shot. If the winner of this fight doesn't deserve a title shot who does.

 

What is happening with this fight now? Boxrec doesn't have it listed.. or is that because thy haven't set a date in April yet?

A lot of people have Macklin winning this but Pirog is definitely a dangerous challenge. Maybe that does have something to do with the setback in date. I am sick of all of this delaying fights that i want to watch!