Photo: Arena
WBO #11, IBF #12 heavyweight Konstantin Airich (23-5-2, 17 KOs) is headed to the United States for the biggest fight of his pro career. On Saturday at the Covention Center in Pharr, Texas, Airich meets Cuban Olympic gold medalist Odlanier Solis (17-1, 12 KOs) in Solis first bout since his world title shot against Vitali Klitschko 14 months ago. Coming off two impressive KO wins, Airich sees no reason he won’t keep his streak going. “Why not?” asks Airich. “I’m well prepared for this fight. Solis also has only two fists. Naturally I know that he is a very good boxer. But I also know what can I do myself. I wouldn’t fly to America to fight against him if I thought I had no chance.”
Konstantin Airich and trainer Hans-Jürgen Witte left from Düsseldorf Airport a few days early to get acclimated to the time change. Witte points out that although Airich can’t match Solis’ amateur pedigree, “as a professional he has been through a lot and got to know the ups and downs well. That he traveled as an underdog to the United States makes him even more relaxed. In his last fight against Ondrej Pala, Konstantin was also the underdog and showed what he can do. And with Solis you don’t know what kind of physical and mental condition he’s after his long break.”
