Dmitriy Pirog Injures Back, Out Of August Fight With Golovkin

By James Slater - More bad news for fight fans, as the curse of the injured boxer strikes again. Unbeaten Middleweight Dmitriy Pirog has had to pull out of his scheduled Aug. 25th bout with the likewise unbeaten Gennady Golovkin due to a slipped disc.

ESPN.com reports how Pirog, who trains using sledgehammers and tires, pulled his back whilst hitting a large tire with the hammer. Pirog wanted to go ahead with the fight, yet a trip to the specialist in Moscow put paid to that..

Apparently the card will still go ahead in August, and a new foe is now being searched for for Golovkin. If, however, a suitable replacement cannot be found, the promoters and HBO will stage an entirely different card. Needless to say, both fighters are bitterly disappointed.

One of the best middleweight match-ups that can be made today, between two fighters U.S fans were very much looking forward to seeing in the flesh (the Aug. Fight would have marked Golovkin's U.S debut) it is to be hoped this one will still go ahead at a later date.