In a battle of average European level heavyweights, Konstantin Airich 13-2-2 (10)
was seemingly battered for 8 rounds by Alexey Mazikin 13-4-2 (3) but somehow escaped
with a draw. However in my opinion this was as bad a decision as I have seen for
a long time. Surprisingly this was the 2nd time these 2 had fought and the first
fight between them in 2008 was also scored a draw.
Airich is small and chunky but not a great hitter, Mazakin for his part was a superb amateur but hasn’t really put in the effort required to make a splash as a pro.
Mazakin however did go out with good intentions tonight and seemed to slightly wobble Airich in the first round and looked to establish his jab and straight right hand. Mazakin also seemed to take the 2nd and was attacking an already tiring Airich in the 3rd when Mazakin landed a low blow and was deducted a point. Towards the end of the round he had yet another point deducted for a low blow which seemed crazy as he was cruising in the fight. After another seemingly one sided 4th round it seemed there was only 1 winner even with 2 points deducted.
Things stayed the same in the 5th round and Mazakin battered Airich around for the entire 6th although he sustained a nasty cut. The referee inspected the cut in the 7th but let action continue. Airich had more success in this round but I still felt Mazakin edged it and he also seemed to win the eighth.
I scored the bout 78-72 meaning Mazakin pitched a shut out less the point deductions. However the scorecards read 77-75 for Airich and two scorecards of 76-76 meaning a majority draw. Quite what fight these judges were watching I will never know!
Former World middleweight title challenger Mahir Oral 27-2-2 (10) was also a little
bit lucky and had a real fright tonight when he was awarded a majority points decision
over 8 rounds over tough and rugged Italian Fabio Liggieri 11-5-4 (2).
Oral looked to box at his own pace but Liggieri although crude seemed to take several of the rounds with his cuffing hooks and higher activity. Oral just seemed lethargic throughout the bout and Liggieri gave it everything he had.
It was very tight at the end and Liggieri stormed out of the ring (and flipping the finger, as seen above) when announced the loser.
2008 Olympic light welterweight gold medallist Felix Diaz 4-0 (3) had a much easier night when winning by TKO in 3 rounds over Bronislav Kubin 9-2 (5).
Diaz is a chunky southpaw from the Dominican Republic who has good speed. He didn’t need too many of his skills tonight as he dropped Kubin with an innocuous left right in round 2. Kubin, who looked tougher than he was then got on his bike after being hurt from a body shot.
Diaz looked more keen to finish things in the 3rd and decked Kubin again with a right hand. Kubin rose but Diaz chased his man and finished things with a cracking straight left hand which dumped Kubin heavily and brought the referee’s intervention.
By JIMMY LAST (EDITOR)
