By Ruslan Chikov

World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially sanctioned the fight between WBO world middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 14KOs) of Russian, and former WBA interim-junior middleweight champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9KOs) of Japan. There were some critical moments where Pirog's team was not getting a response to their request to approve Ishida as an oppponent.

The event takes place on May 1 at Moscow's Dynamo Palace of Sports in Krylatskoye. If Pirog wins, he will likely challenge IBF champion Daniel Geale in a unification being targeted for August in the United States.

"Frankly, we've been through some very difficult months - said Kirill Pchelnikov, co-promoter of Pirog. "As promised, we have overcome all of the obstacles and he can safely concentrate on preparing for battle. We are preparing a very interesting undercard and an unconventional show program that will satisfy the audience. "