Moments ago at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, little known Dmitry Pirog make his presence felt with a sensational 5th round knockout over previously undefeated prospect Danny Jacobs. The Russian-born Pirog was an enigma to American audiences beforehand, as it was Jacobs who got pub from being the 2009 ESPN prospect of the year.
Pirog controlled the contest early and seemed to befuddle Jacobs with his quickness and lateral movement, two traits that are rarely found in European fighters. Jacobs was stunned in the second round from a right hand and Pirog seemed to have a great fluidity about him. Jacobs would dig down and make rounds three and four competitive after finding success going to his 30-year old opponent?s body but the end was around the corner.
In the fifth Pirog would tag Jacobs with a beautiful right hand and the Brooklyn fighter hit the canvas. Referee Robert Byrd didn?t even bother to count to ten, as it was clear that Jacobs was in no shape to continue. The bout was waived off and Pirog leapt to the ropes in celebration as he now is the WBO Middleweight champion of the world. The Russian has a fan-friendly style and we should be expecting more from him soon. Jacobs sees his record fall to 20-1 with 17 but at only 23 years of age he still has time to make a strong return to the sport.
