Pirog versus Macklin next?

By Alexey Sukachev

It looks like newly crowned European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin (25-2, 18 KOs), who has just vaporized Finn Amin Asikainen in a couple of brutal minutes, won’t be entitled to a quiet life with his regalia. The European Boxing Union informed Macklin that his next opponent will be highly regarded Russian boxer-puncher Dmitry Pirog (14-0, 11 KOs), who is also holding the WBC International belt. In June, WBO #2, WBC #5, IBF #10 and WBA #12 Pirog opened some eyes with his ultra-dominant decision over Ghanaian Kofi Jantuah. He was suggested a fight for the vacant EBU crown versus Asikainen but rejected it due to a lack of recovery time making a way for Macklin (WBO #5 and WBC #12) to fight for the European title in exchange of the future match-up. Fightnews was advised by informed sources that negotiations between both teams can start as soon as this week.

October 6th, 2009

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