Can Solis Become The Heavy Division's Dark Horse?

Odlanier Solis aka La Sombre has already fought twice this year and is starting to get himself back on track for a crack at the World Title. He has very good footwork and carries a bit of power (although he's not desperately heavy-handed). He seems to be establishing himself again but as far as the UK press goes, he's hardly noticed.

Obviously his weight is a problem. Since his operation on his knackered knee, his weight went up to 267lbs which is shocking for a 6ft 1 fighter. However, he has shifted 11-12lbs since then and hopefully a further few more will come off. Provided he can stop using Ben & Jerry's & Colonel Sanders as training partners he could become a half decent force in the division. He holds an amateur victory over Haye by stoppage, was Olympic champ in 2004, a 3-time World Amateur Champ & also beat the great Felix Savon twice in 3 fights, itself no easy feat. His boxing pedigree is not in doubt.

If he can knuckle down enough and put in the hard yards in training, I think he'd be a difficult opponent for any non-Klitschko out there.  I think if you were to put him in with Helenius he'd make him look very silly indeed. I think his main issues (aside from his chunky physique) are finding people who'd be willing to fight him and also pulling in the ticket sales. He's frustrating!

My plan of action for him is as follows:

1) Lose another 15lbs.
2) Fight a couple of ranked opponents (say Adamek and Mitchell, maybe Helenius)
3) Stop eating so much!

I think he's too far along to be in the picture again

His knee gave way because of his weight, and he seems like hes going to continue to be fat throughout. He lost 12lbs, but for a man that weight he should have lost a lot more

I actually rated him quite highly, and his skill is there for all to see, but hes never sharp and always lethargic.

At 33 I cant see him changing and while he may beat a few, better fighters should take care of him

Would like to see a fight between him and Chisora as it happens.

If there's a coach trip for the top HW and it crashes, disabling everyone bar Solis, then yes he might stand a chance. Failing that, not really.

I just can't see him getting into a sensible fighting shape of around 240lbs which should really be his very heaviest. He'll achieve absolutely nothing if he weighs in at 260lbs or heavier against anyone decent, a 40 year old Ray Austin was giving him a fair bit of trouble not so long ago. If theoretically he did shift the weight then I think he'd be as good as any of Pulev, Haye and Povetkin who for me are the chasing pack behind the Klitschko's, can't see it happening though as he was still overweight for his crack at Vitali and if having a shot at the title doesn't motivate you then what will?

As WHU has said losing 12lb for a guy that big is not anything to get too excited about because it is drop in the ocean. However to be a glass half full kind of guy it is a step in the right direction. 33 is no spring chicken but not ancient in heavyweight terms.

I would not want to write him off just yet because his activity and shifting a bit of weight does suggest he is trying and lets face facts, any fighter of a level of ability can make an impact in the division currently and Solis certainly has ability so heres hoping he does get himself in the mix.

It's a while since they fought but wasn't there a suggestion that Solis was being relatively elusive against Vit and aquitting himself well? It's clear he possess the ability but it's clearer that he doesn't posses the dedication.

Look at Froch, not the most skillful fighter ever to lace 'em up but you cannot deny his work ethic and dedication.

Shame really as Solis would as least be another name we could wax hysterical about for a few months and might stop people banging on about Deontay f*****g Wilder

I hope he fades away into insignificance. He's shown a blatant disregard for his weight which for a pro athlete with the world at his feet is unforgivable. He should be no heavier than 220 and that is being generous. Fat disgusting slob.

Lumbering_Jack wrote:I hope he fades away into insignificance. He's shown a blatant disregard for his weight which for a pro athlete with the world at his feet is unforgivable. He should be no heavier than 220 and that is being generous. Fat disgusting slob.

He has always been fat but it hasn't stopped him becoming an Olympic HW gold medalist and 3 time world amatuer champion. His only defeat in the pro ranks is against Vitali klitschko who would have beaten him no matter what shape he was in.

Yes he should be getting into better shape because he is a pro athlete but as we all know getting into shape means exercising a lot and dieting a lot and not drinking alcohol and partying too much etc. if solis can eat bad foods and not exercise as much etc and still be successful then who are we to criticise.

His photo in the boxing news magazine would suggest he is a long way from being down at a decent fighting weight. Waste of a talent.

Fat waste of talent, fast food chains aren't available in Cuba, thus his best days are left far behind in Cuba, out of reach of McDonalds'/KFC/Burger King.....

Champagne_Socialist wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:I hope he fades away into insignificance. He's shown a blatant disregard for his weight which for a pro athlete with the world at his feet is unforgivable. He should be no heavier than 220 and that is being generous. Fat disgusting slob.

He has always been fat but it hasn't stopped him becoming an Olympic HW gold medalist and 3 time world amatuer champion. His only defeat in the pro ranks is against Vitali klitschko who would have beaten him no matter what shape he was in.

Yes he should be getting into better shape because he is a pro athlete but as we all know getting into shape means exercising a lot and dieting a lot and not drinking alcohol and partying too much etc. if solis can eat bad foods and not exercise as much etc and still be successful then who are we to criticise.

Rubbish. Have you seen any footage/pics of Solis when he was making all those amateur achievements? He was lean and sharp because he was part of the historic Cuban amateur boxing regime that could control his exercise and diet. Only since defection has he become chubby as that controlling framework was removed and he is incapable of replacing it with personal responsibility.

Champagne_Socialist wrote:

Lumbering_Jack wrote:I hope he fades away into insignificance. He's shown a blatant disregard for his weight which for a pro athlete with the world at his feet is unforgivable. He should be no heavier than 220 and that is being generous. Fat disgusting slob.

He has always been fat but it hasn't stopped him becoming an Olympic HW gold medalist and 3 time world amatuer champion. His only defeat in the pro ranks is against Vitali klitschko who would have beaten him no matter what shape he was in.

Yes he should be getting into better shape because he is a pro athlete but as we all know getting into shape means exercising a lot and dieting a lot and not drinking alcohol and partying too much etc. if solis can eat bad foods and not exercise as much etc and still be successful then who are we to criticise.

He won his olympic gold in the heavyweight division which has a limit of 200lbs so since then he's put of the best part of 5 stone and to be honest we don't know how he'd fare against Vitali in shape because we've never seen him in shape.

I've read numerous comments from trainers and promoters saying he's very lazy. His weight would appear to back that up. He's definitely skilled enough, but I doubt we'll ever see anything like his full potential.