This Saturday (May 19th) Cuban heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis (17-1) will return to the ring after a 14 months layoff due to the bad knee injury he suffered when challenging WBC world champion Vitali Klitschko in Cologne (Germany) in March 2011. Ain Pharr (Texas) “La Sombra“ challenges IBF intercontinental champion Konstantin Airich (23-5-2).
“This is a very tough fight for a comeback after such a long layoff“, says promoter Ahmet Oner. „Airich is a true powerhouse with great stamina and two of the hardest fists out there. Solis has to be very careful and he cannot go into the fight at anything less than 100 percent.“
IBF #12 and WBO #11 rated Airich, a 33-year old German who was born in Kazakhstan, is coming off two impressive KO-wins over Varol Vekiloglu (19-4-1) and Ondrej Pala (30-3) which earned him the IBF i/c and the WBO European championship.
“I know Konstantin from my times in Germany“, states Solis. “We have done sparring a couple of times. He is a tough guy and he is always coming to fight and win. But I don’t care who I step in the ring with. I want to prove that I am the best boxer in the world so I will beat whoever crosses my way.“
One of the most important questions will be how Solis handled the long break and how his right knee has recovered from the injury and the following three surgeries.
„To be honest“, says trainer Pedro Luis Diaz Benitez who most recently led Miguel Cotto to his excellent performance against Floyd Mayweather jr. „His knee is better than ever before. I would even say that his right knee is better than the left one now. We will have no problems. We worked very hard for this comeback. Solis has been in training camp for almost three months. He is in great shape because we know that we have to be in shape against a strong opponent like Airich.“
Since Solis, a multiple time world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, turned pro in 2007 the Cuban defector has been criticized for carrying too much weight.
“His weight is not an issue“, adds the coach. „People should judge Solis from his performance in the ring. See how fast he is, see how he moves in the ring. Who cares about the scale and five pounds more or less as long as the fighter knows how to use his body to wear down his opponents?“
The “Fight Night in Pharr“ which is promoted by Main Events, Cavazos Boxing Promotions and ARENA Sports-Promotion also features the return of unbeaten lightweight prospect Jerry Belmontes (15-0) taking on Dominican Remesis Gil (7-3-5). The bouts will be broadcasted on TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate“.
Melson Returns June 14!
New York, NY (May 18, 2012) – Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will make his return to the ring Thursday, June 14 when he battles rugged veteran Enrique Gallegos in a six round junior middleweight bout at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom.
On March 7, Melson battled unbeaten Delen Parsley in a bout that renowned broadcaster Steve Farhood called one of the best in Broadway Boxing history. In the eight-round slugfest with Parsley, Melson, 8-1 (4 KO’s), was credited with two hard knockdowns but ultimately dropped a hotly-contested decision.
With a deceptive professional ledger of 6-5 with 1 knockout, Gallegos battled 2004 Olympian Donnie Orr, K.J. Noons, Sammy Gonzalez and contender Derek Ennis. The Medford, OR native, who fought most of his bouts in his opponents’ hometowns, holds victories over Miguel Pasillas (7-2) and Joe Mills (3-1).
“I’m expecting another tough fight and I plan to fight with my heart’s passion for both me and my supporters,” said Melson, who continues to donate his entire purse Justadollarplease.org in association with a Clinical Trial taking place in the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. “I was hoping for my second consecutive 8 round bout, but there was not enough room on this card. Enrique’s been in with quality fighters and he keeps coming. I know he’s not coming to New York to lie down. He has a tremendous chin and the ability to recover extremely quickly. He is going to make me fight hard for each of the 6 rounds.”
The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and tickets are available by going to Teamfighttowalk.com. All tickets purchased on Teamfighttowalk.com can be picked up at the Roseland Ballroom’s will call window on fight night under the credit card holder’s name.
In association with Justadollarplease.org, Melson created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, former two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.
For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.