By Lewis Croft: This Saturday in Cologne, Germany, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Odlandier Solis (17-0, 12 KOs) challenges three time Heavyweight champion,Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KOs) for the WBC Championship. Part of the famous Cuban Amateur background Odlandier Solis dominated the heavyweight amateur scene and is focused on doing the same in the pro ranks. Since turning pro, Solis is undefeated as a fighter taking on lower level fighters. From a trim 200 lbs in his amateur days all the way to 271 against his bout with Monte Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs) his weight has increased dramatically.

Many people think that along with David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs), who Solis beat in the amateurs are the new stars in the heavyweight division. They are considered the fighter capable of knocking the dominant Klitschko brothers from there perch. Leading in to the bout, many critics and analysis have stated that in order for Solis to stand a chance against Vitali he has to loss the unnecessary weight.

Solis came in at 246 lb, the lowest he has ever been in the professional ranks, a sure sign that at least he has taken his weight cutting more seriously. As for the training he enrolled Liverpool’s own David Price (9-0, 7KOs), who has similarities with Vitali to help with his sparring. Mainly focusing on fast feet and fast hands, its looks set that Solis is looking to exploit the ageing reflexes of Vitali with fast attacks to try and neutralise the ram rod like jab. Whether he can do that remains to be seen but after the weigh in, things just got interesting!