By James Slater: David Haye, who is in line for his own shot at a Klitschko (with a date with Wladimir pencilled in for either late June of early July), sees older brother Vitali having a tough night this coming Saturday, in his fight with the unbeaten Odlanier Solis – IF the 30-year-old Cuban has trained accordingly.
Speaking with Metro, the WBA heavyweight boss said that if the man he famously lost to as an amateur has got his weight down to under 230-pounds, he could give “Dr. Iron Fist” a very hard fight, perhaps even beat the WBC king.
We will not know until the official weigh-in what Solis will carry into the ring with him, poundage-wise; but looking at those recent photos of “La Sombre,” it does look like the Olympic gold medallist has slimmed down significantly. If he’s shed enough weight, and if Haye is correct in his prediction, Solis could even take the belt home with him from Germany in three day’s time.
“It depends on Solis, because we all know what Vitali will do, he has done it his whole career,” Haye said. “He will use his height and reach advantage and be fit for 12 rounds. He has a good chin so Solis can’t try and blast him out. You can’t go in there with Vitali with anything other than a perfect game-plan and if there’s anyone on the planet who can do it besides me, it’s Solis.
“A Solis at 260 won’t beat Vitali, but a Solis at 225 can. If he has got himself into condition he could cause Vitali fits.”
So, this Friday’s official weigh-in will be a most interesting one indeed. As the saying goes, “an unbeaten fighter is a dangerous fighter because he doesn’t know HOW to lose!” An in-shape Odlanier Solis could well prove to be an extremely dangerous challenger for the big betting favourite that is Vitali Klitschko.
Haye, though, went on to say that he doesn’t want the 39-year-old giant to lose on Saturday; as he hopes to tackle him once he’s got through with 34-year-old Wladimir.
“I don’t want to lose out on a great final showdown with Vitali, the chance to hold all four belts and beat the big brother.” Haye said.
Of course, the Londoner, who has promised he will retire in October of this year, has to get past the formidable and well-respected “Dr. Steel Hammer” before he can even think about facing Vitali. Haye told Metro that he feels Wladimir will need some “softening up” before he will be ready to be taken out.
“I don’t think Wladimir will go down that quick,” he said. “It will take a few rounds to soften him up, break him down and then take him out and it’s going to be exciting either way.”
Solis’ big chance comes in a few days; let’s hope nothing goes wrong with the planned Klitschko-Haye showdown between now and late June!