by Paul Magno Back in the 90's the WBO was slow to receive recognition as a "real" sanctioning body-- and that's saying something in the often skeezy world of professional boxing. The reason for the snub was due to the sanctioning body's perceived "friendly" matchmaking for their title holders. When it comes to sketchy matchmaking, a finger could be pointed at the WBC, … [Read more...]
Dmitry Pirog Decisions Nobuhiro Ishida in Moscow ( w/ Fight Video)
Sport Complex Krylatskoe, Moscow, Russia-- WBO middleweight champ, Dmitry Pirog (20-0, 15 KOs) made the third defense of his title with a unanimous decision victory over Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9 KOs) by scores of 119-109, 117-111, and 120-108. Pirog looked sharp against a game, but ultimately lesser fighter and lived up to his reputation as one of the best middleweights in … [Read more...]
Dmitry Pirog defends his title against Nobuhiro Ishida on Tuesday, May 1
WBO middleweight titlist, Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15 KOs) will defend his title against former jr. middleweight contender, Nobuhiro Ishida on Tuesday, May 1 at the Sport Complex Krylatskoe in Moscow, Russia. Pirog was an unknown commodity, with his flagship win coming against Kofi Jantuah, until he was pitted against the expected successor of the vacant WBO middleweight title, … [Read more...]
We’ll pay you NOT to fight; Magno’s Monday Rant
The tendency among boxing fans is to dwell on the sport's dream fights, but there is certainly a case to be made for addition by subtraction in the sport we love. So, in my one-man quest to save boxing and inspired by the U.S. government subsidies paid to farmers for not growing certain crops, here's a look at some upcoming fights that would've been better left … [Read more...]
Gamboa Attacks, Pirog Defends; The Rest of Saturday’s Action
(Photo: Ed Mulholland) Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City-- Featherweight titlist, Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16 KOs) allowed Mexican challenger, Jorge Solis (40-3-2, 29 KOs), one round of thinking he was in the contest before turning up the speed and ending the contest via dominant fourth round stoppage on HBO's World Championship Boxing. Gamboa would send his … [Read more...]