By Alexey Sukachev
Rising Turkish contender Avni Yildirim (15-0, 10 KOs) impressed once again – this time in Milan, Italy. It took him just 96 seconds to destroy Belarussian import Alexander Sushchyts (21-4-1, 11 KOs) and to retain his WBC International Silver super middleweight title.
Yildirim immediately brought war to his opponent but Sushchyts replied in style, landing some power shots on the Turk. Yet, Yildirim’s power was visibly felt in full force.
His punches were much stronger, his chin sturdier and he forced Sushchyts on the defensive and soon rocked him with a left hook to the liver, coupled with two consecutive right hands that put Sushchyts down. Referee Giudo Cavalleri reached the count of ten as the Belarussian was getting up.
Yildirim, who has made headlines recently with his bright showing in James DeGale’s training camp, was coming in as WBC #3, WBA #7 and IBF #8 rated 168 pounder.
The 25-year old, who debuted in 2014 as a light heavyweight, made a move down in weight in May 2016 and was hardly beatable after that. Sushchyts, 28, was stopped for the first time in his career.
Staging the event was the renowned Cherchi family – Salvatore and Alessandro as co-promoters, Christian as a matchmaker.
