By Erik Schmidt: The young Russian heavyweight Konstantin Airich (9-1-1, 8 KOs), who gave an excellent account of himself last night, dropping veteran Danny Williams (39-6, 31 KOs) once and hurting him several other times in the fight requiring standing eight counts on two occasions. However, after appearing to run out of gas in the 4th round, Airich was eventually badly beaten by the powerful Williams, who knocked him down twice before the fight was eventually stopped in the 7th round by Airich’s corner. I thought it odd at the time that a fighter of Airich’s youth and talent would abruptly fade so quickly after dominating the first several rounds with such ease.

My questions were answered today when it was announced by Airich’s promoter Ahmet Öne that the Russian fighter had broken his left hand in the 3rd round while delivering huge shots to the head of Williams. The injury essentially turned Airich into a one-armed fighter, making him an easy prey for the clever veteran Williams to take advantage of his weakness and stop him four rounds later. After the fight, Airich, 29, was taken to a nearby hospital where it was discovered that his left hand had been broken in the fight.

Most people would agree that Airich was rushed a bit too fast by being pitted against a fighter of Williams’ caliber, considering that this was only Airich’s 11th fight of his career, and he had previously fought no one near as good as Williams before this fight. In point of fact, most of Airich’s opponents had been lower level Russian fighters, most of whom Airich blasted out within 2-5 rounds or so.

The loss revealed some problems in terms of his defense, as well as more than a few about his stamina, perhaps. But, his power is very real, and clearly world class from the looks of it. Williams, 34, said later that he felt every shot that Airich threw, and that he was hit very hard in the fight. One would hope that Airich’s daring promoter will decide upon bringing him up a little slower from now on, for he has shown that he has some excellent skills and it would be a pity to see them wasted by continuously matching him tough before he’s ready.

In a lot of ways, Airich reminded me of a harder punching version of Oleg Maskaev, with power that approaches the power of WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter, and perhaps on par with IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. If Oner can someone give him a good trainer, and perhaps teach him how to pace and defend himself, I can see Airich as a future champion in a year or two. He’s got that much potential, believe me. I’d like to see him in a rematch with Williams, if possible, in a year or so. By then, I’d be willing to bet that Airich would be more than ready to blast Williams out of there in no time. Hopefully, there won’t be a standing eight count, because Airich would have stopped Williams in the 2nd round if not for this.

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