By Eric Thomas: Promoter Don King is working on putting together a WBC heavyweight eliminator bout between top contenders Ray Austin (28-4-4, 18 KO’s) and former 2004 Olympic heavyweight Gold Medalist for Cuba Odlanier Solis (16-0, 12 KO’s) for December 17th, according to Dan Rafael.
The winner of the bout would then be the mandatory challenger for World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko or Shannon Briggs, if he’s able to pull off an upset of Klitschko this Saturday on October 16th.
Solis, 30, is a talented fighter with brilliant boxing skills and very fast hands. Unfortunately, he also likes to eat and has put on roughly 70 pounds since his amateur days. Despite carrying around a lot of useless weight, Solis still is very fast and packs a punch.
His other problem is his lack of size. He’s only 6’1 ½”, and that’s probably not going to be big enough for him to beat Vitali. However, Solis is still easily the best fighter he WBC has ranked amongst the top 15. He’s going to have to prove that he can handle bigger fighters, because Solis did not look good in beating 6’4” Cisse Salif two years ago.
Solis looked timid and seemed to have problems with Salif’s size. Austin is even bigger than Salif at 6’6”, and this could present a problem for Solis. However, Austin is likely going to be a little rusty because he hasn’t fought since last October when he stopped DaVarryl Williamson in the 4th round for what was supposed to be a WBC title eliminator bout.
Austin previously challenged Vitali’s brother IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko for his title back in March 2007, but Austin was blown out in two quick rounds. Wladimir threw nothing but left hands in the fight and finished Austin off with a series of left hooks to the head. Austin looked too slow for Wladimir. He may have the same problem with Solis unless Austin’s size is too big of a hurdler for Solis.
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