Potemkin has the endurance to remain stable to keep absorbing the small explosions, which frees him to look at the Knight himself instead of just the stars being pelted at him. It's a double-edged sword that they immediately challenged each other in a room so large and empty; it's lacking in any distractions Potemkin could have used, but on the other hand it allows Potemkin to freely move around.

Making a large lap around the hall gives Potemkin time to think. Certainly, this was his target. But based on that, Potemkin expects him to be capable of more than this. There should be nothing stopping the Knight from going all out. Was he initially only trying to scare him?

Potemkin judges if it's worth it to keep the Knight underestimating him, then decides the time to capitalize on the surprise would be now. The next time a star is headed for his arm, Potemkin reels back a punch, hitting the star square on until it shoots the other way.