Banner Boxing: Pirog vs. Maciel for WBO Middleweight Title In Moscow

Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Kirill Pchelnikov and German Titov/GT & KP Promotion will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at Sports Palace DIVS in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Featured fights will be televised live in Russia on Channel 2. The two-hour telecast will be shown from 8:00 to 10: P.M. (20:00-22:00 hrs) Moscow time.

In the main event – scheduled for 12 rounds – World Boxing Organization middleweight world champion Dmitry Pirog, 17-0 with 14 knockouts, of Gelendzhik, Russia, will make his first defense of the title against Javier Fancisco “La Bestia” Maciel, 18-1 with 12 knockouts, of Malvinas Argentinas, Argentina.

The 29 year-old Pirog showed that he is one the most exciting new talents in the ring today when he exploded on the American boxing scene in his last fight on July 31, 2010. Making his U.S debut as a complete unknown – and a 3 to 1 underdog – against previously undefeated former amateur standout Danny Jacobs in a challenge for the vacant WBO title in Las Vegas, he scored a devastating knockout that left Jacobs out cold in the fifth round.

In addition to his fan-friendly style and electrifying punching power, Dmitry brings a refreshing attitude to the ring. He said “I think that when you box, you should enjoy it, and I enjoy boxing in the manner that I fight in, which is not the very technical, European style. I like to have a good time in the ring. I think that taking what you like from every type of boxing is what’s important, and that’s what I try to do.

“I feel that for me, the most important thing is to show a great fight. Of course, I want to win, and that’s the most important thing, but it is important for me to show the fans a great fight, a great experience – give them something that they will want to see more of.”

Maciel, 26 years old, has won seven fights in a row, which include winning the WBO Latino middleweight title and making one successful title defense. He is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBO.

Also on the card: Alisher Rahimov, 21-0, 11 KOs, Ekaterinburg, Russia, vs. TBA, 12 rounds, lightweights. As an amateur, Rahimov was the gold medalist (119 pounds) at the 1999 Asian Championships, and advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2000 Olympics…

For the vacant WBO european heavyweight title, Ondrej Pala, 28-2, 20 KOs, Prague, Czech Republic, vs. Oleksiy Mazykin, 16-5-2, 3 KOs, Kharkov, Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Glazkov, 8-0, 6 KOs, Lugansk, Ukraine, vs. TBA, 8 rounds heavyweights. As an amateur, Glaskov was a bronze medalist (201+ pounds) at the 2008 Olympics, and the silver medalist (201+ pounds) at the 2007 World Championships.

Felix Diaz, 8-5, 5 KOs, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, vs. TBA, 8 rounds, welterweights. As an amateur, Diaz was the gold medalist (132 pounds) at the 2008 Olympics.

Lennin Castillo, 3-0, 2 KOs, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, vs. TBA. 4 rounds light heavyweights.

All bouts are subject to change without notice.

Ticket prices: $25.00 to $1,500. Doors open: 4:00 P.M. (16:00 hrs) Moscow time. First fight: 5:00 P.M. (17:00 hrs) Moscow time.