By Alexey Sukachev

Krasnodar, Russia - On Sunday, WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15 KOs) retained his title with a tenth round stoppage of mandatory challenger Gennady Martirosyan  (22-3, 11 KOs). It was a thrilling but ultimately one-sided fight, and the first ever all-Russian title encounter in boxing history. 

Pirog wants a unification showdown with WBC Diamond champion Sergio Martinez or former champion Kelly Pavlik, who now competes at super middleweight.

“I’m ready to fight both Martinez and Pavlik each day, every day. There’s no doubt about that. But they don’t want to fight me. They continue choosing other guys despite my presence. I’m fine with that. Actually, I’m sure that the Martinez fight is inevitable for me. You will see," Pirog said.

"Even recently, [Martinez's promoter] Lou DiBella asked Peter Quillin to fight me first in order to secure a fight with Sergio. But I’m waiting. And I will wait until they have no other choice but to fight me. And I’m not afraid of losing that fight. I’m not someone who is crazy about [keeping their] record [unbeaten]. As for my present physical shape and my shape in the last fight against Javier Maciel, it all depends on the certain opponent. There are some opponents who are looking to fight, and then there are some who aren’t and just plan on making their opponents look bad."