Whats up with the Pirog hype?

[KickAzz]

Why is everyone so high on this guy, he has 19 fights, none over any notable opponents? What does this guy bring to the table that martinez is scared of? Is it only the martinez haters that are so hyped about pirog?

martinez can easily end the hype by fighting pirog and beating him. As long as martinez ducks him, pirog's legend will grow.

[have_not]

if you havent seen pirog, watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvBxFyBTkYM

[black.ink]

Pirog is the biggest challenge at 160. Sturm won't leave Germany, and Chavez won't be risked so soon.

Pirog want's the fight.

I'd like to see all these belts flying around 160 to start some unifications. Pirog should aim for Geale or Golovkin. Perhaps bringing more belts to table might persuade Martinez to a fight.

[RlCKY]

Martinez worked his ass off to get to where he is now in is career. And fighting Pirog is a step back IMO. He's trying his arse off to get a spotlight fight. What does beating Pirog do for Martinez, except shut his haters up (about the same as a win over Barker, but that is besides the point i am trying to make here) High risk, low reward = bad business move for a 36-37 year old fighter.

[bojangles1987]

I don't understand why Martinez won't fight him. I'm not hyping Pirog, I'm wondering what about him makes DiBella refuse to let him fight Martinez. It can't be money or name value, he just fought Darren Barker.

[bojangles1987]

Martinez worked his ass off to get to where he is now in is career. And fighting Pirog is a step back IMO. He's trying his arse off to get a spotlight fight. What does beating Pirog do for Martinez, except shut his haters up (about the same as a win over Barker, but that is besides the point i am trying to make here) High risk, low reward = bad business move for a 36-37 year old fighter.

How is it a step back? Pirog's a title holder, he'd make money, what's the problem?

And no, Pirog is in no way the same win as Barker.

[RlCKY]

I don't understand why Martinez won't fight him. I'm not hyping Pirog, I'm wondering what about him makes DiBella refuse to let him fight Martinez. It can't be money or name value, he just fought Darren Barker.

I thought DiBella said it has something to do with the WBO belt that was taken from Martinez when they were trying to make Jacobs a champ. So maybe if he relenquishes the belt, he will have a better chance at getting the fight?

[bojangles1987]

I thought DiBella said it has something to do with the WBO belt that was taken from Martinez when they were trying to make Jacobs a champ. So maybe if he relenquishes the belt, he will have a better chance at getting the fight?

Martinez should want that belt, no matter what DiBella's feelings on the WBO. More belts equals more leverage for future fights. If Pirog relinquished his belt, Martinez would have no reason to fight him.

[Fish_Scotland]

While I agree that Pirog looks a lot better than all the other middleweights, I won't buy into any hype until he actually tests himself with a top contender. Lemieux looked good too until he stepped up to Marco Antonio Rubio. And even though I think Pirog looks better than even Macklin, I rather see Macklin fight Martinez. I thought he clearly beat Felix Sturm so he passed his test and thus I approve. He deserves a shot. Pirog hasn't done squat ****. Until he goes to war with someone, it's impossible to know how good he really is.

Martinez worked his ass off to get to where he is now in is career. And fighting Pirog is a step back IMO. He's trying his arse off to get a spotlight fight. What does beating Pirog do for Martinez, except shut his haters up (about the same as a win over Barker, but that is besides the point i am trying to make here) High risk, low reward = bad business move for a 36-37 year old fighter.

Both valid posts give great insight into why matchmaking in boxing sucks big time!

[RlCKY]

How is it a step back? Pirog's a title holder, he'd make money, what's the problem?

And no, Pirog is in no way the same win as Barker.

Martinez is pretty much one (loss) and done at this stage of his career...let's say he gets annihilated, what happens to his career. Gone are the fights that he is chasing after (cotto, may, pac, margarito, chavez,) as if they were going to happen anyways. I personally don't see any reason why Martinez wouldn't handle Pirog, but maybe his promoter does, and he his going to protect his asset.