By Dave Lahr: After three years as the WBC heavyweight champion, 39-year-old Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 28 KO’s) will finally be facing a good opponent in unbeaten Cuban Odlanier Solis (17-0, 12 Ko’s) on March 19th in Cologne, Germany. Solis, 30, is an opponent that Vitali wanted no part of. Vitali had to almost be forced into this fight in order for him to take it because he didn’t want this fight.

Vitali was hoping to fight Solis victim WBA heavyweight champion David Haye, but Vitali might as well have been wishing for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Haye has other things on his agenda, namely a mandatory title defense against Ruslan Chagaev that can’t be avoided. Vitali will now have to fight Solis, and I don’t think this is going to go well for Vitali at all. I’ve been watching Solis’ fights since he was an amateur for Cuba, and I must say he is probably the best fighter in the heavyweight division right now bar none.

The only thing that limits Solis’ growth and potential is his weight. Solis has done too good of a job in bulking up since turning pro in 2007. At 260, Solis needs to take off around 20 pounds so that he has the speed to handle the stiff-legged Vitali. Solis can’t go into the Vitali fight weighing 260 or 270 and expect to win. He’s got to burn off the blubber, which should be easy, and then box circles around Vitali on 2/19.

In an AP article, Vitali had this to say about Solis: “Solis is a very experienced, quick and uncomfortable opponent and I will not underestimate him. I’ll show him in the ring that I am the true champion. The belt remains in the Klitschko family.” Vitali’s brother is IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who is a lot faster than Vitali but who has a glass jaw and tends to stress out if his opponents actually try to beat him.