by James Slater: As fight fans know, there has been, to much fuss, the conformation this week that David Haye will at last fight “one of the Klitschkos” this summer. The hope, on the WBA champ’s part, is that he will face Wladimir, but if injury forces the younger brother out of the unification battle, big brother Vitali is contracted to step in and face “The Hayemaker.” Either way, we will get a good heavyweight scrap in June or July.
But is another challenger of a Klitschko being largely ignored right now? Due to all the headlines the Haye-Klitschko signing has garnered, a certain unbeaten Cuban named Odlanier Solis, and his own challenge of the Klitschko dominance, has been, to some degree, forgotten about. The latest defence of WBC king Vitali will take place in Germany a week tomorrow. Solis, despite what his critics say – critics who are seemingly focused on the amateur standout’s weight and nothing much else – has as much chance against a Klitschko as Haye has. Perhaps even more so.
Yes, the man known as “La Sombre” has been guilty of carrying too much weight in some of his fights, but never has his poundage affected his performance. Compare Solis’ showing against the capable Monte Barrett with Haye’s performance against “Two Gunz.” Haye, after a brief scare in the 5th-round, got the job done via stoppage. Solis, despite weighing a career-high 271-pounds, halted the New Yorker in less than two-rounds, with none of the hassle Haye had to go through.
These respective performances against a common opponent do not mean Solis is a better fighter than the outspoken Londoner, but we must not forget that Solis beat Haye in the amateurs some years ago. There is no doubt, Solis has good to very good credentials, and he has to be looked at as a very live underdog going into his own shot at a Klitschko. Ask yourself: which upset would shock you the most – Haye over Wladimir or Solis over Vitali?
Due to his age and steadily eroding (if still amazingly conditioned) body, Vitali perhaps faces a loss each and every time he risks his title in the ring. This, combined with the fact that Solis, unlike Haye, is a natural heavyweight, gives the Cuban challenger a better shot at ending the long-running Klitschko dominance in my opinion.
Even Haye has said he has doubts “Dr. Iron Fist” can defeat Solis; to the point where he has stated that he “hopes” Vitali can win on March 19th and retain his belt. Haye has shown he is a good predictor of fights, and he knows the man who stopped him in that big amateur meeting has a very real chance of beating him to it with regards to ending the Klitschko’s time at the top.
We are all excited now at the prospect of at last seeing Haye rumble with a Klitschko. Could it be that an even better fight involving one of the two siblings will take place just over a week from now? Another valid questions is this: could BOTH Klitschkos be on the verge of losing this year? How would a Solis and a Haye win shake up the currently stagnant heavyweight division!
For added interest to U.K fight fans is the fact that Sky Sports will be televising (with a regular, not a Box-Office presentation) Klitschko-Solis live next Saturday.
Can the talented, heavy-handed, largely untested (as a pro) Solis become the first man to beat Vitali since the great Lennox Lewis?