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.