By Eric Thomas: Heavyweight contender Odlanier Solis (17-1, 12 KO’s) will finally be returning to the ring later on this month on November 26th against an opponent to be named later in Turkey, according to the 31-year-old Solis’ promoter Ahmet Oner. Solis hasn’t fought since losing a knockout to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in March 2011 in a fight where Solis was giving Vitali a lot of problems until Solis’ right knee collapsed under him.

The knee later required three surgeries to repair the extensive damage. However, Solis is ready to go and hopefully his knee is at or near 100% so that he can avoid any additional injuries to the knee. One thing Solis may need to do is try to get his weight down. He’s been fighting in the 260s and 270s in the past couple of years. That’s too much weight for the 6’1″ Solis’ small frame to carry around without putting a great strain on his knees.

It was only seven years ago that Solis was fighting at a slender 200 pounds during the Olympics in 2004. Since he turned pro in 2007, Solis has really packed on the flab and to some extent muscle. The weight hasn’t helped Solis one bit, as he’s so much slower and less effective compared to how he fought during his amateur days. But it’s probably realistic for Solis to take off too much weight, because he’s been heavy for too long time and he’d likely weaken himself if he went below 220 lbs. Solis needs to get down to at least 230, because even in his bout with Vitali, where Solis came in at 246, it was still too much weight for his knees to carry him.