By Gari Jones: Its not long now before Odlandier Solis W17 (KO12) L0, D0 gets his chance at world championship gold, but first he must get past the man mountain Vitali Klitschko W41 (KO38) L2, D0. Solis in terms of reach and weight is pretty similar to Viatli but in terms of height (Solis 6’1.5” TO – Vitali 6’7.5”) he’s giving away a cool six inches. Unlike Vitali’s previous fights against the likes of Briggs, Johnson, Sosnowski, Peters and Arreola who were all dominated and well behind on the judges scorecards, I believe that Solis has the best chance of being the one to end Vitali long reign as the WBC Heavyweight Champion.

Solis has some pedigree coming into this fight, an Olympic gold medallist in Athens 2004 and he’s been a three-time winner at the world amateur championships, if you add too the fact he’s still unbeaten in seventeen (17) fights and has twelve (12) stoppages to his credit, seven (7) of them coming in his last seven (7) fights (however Ray Austin December 2010 was a DSQ – STOPPED BY REFEREE punching after the bell) you would have to say on paper and current form Solis is coming into Saturdays fight with very good track record.

Despite that most people who have seen Vitali fight know that he’s huge favourite to win, Vitali’s strength’s are always his pounding Jab, hard right hand and granite chin, in recent bouts he’s always controlled the ring, fought at distance and worn his opponent down. So how to counter this, Odlandier Solis will need to get in close, make his punches count especially to the body (it’s the judges scorecards he needs to impress), don’t allow Vitali a chance to get into his rhythm and always keep busy, If I were Solis that is what I would do, it helps also that Viatli is getting on now and has lost some pace despite his recent victories. However this is easier said than done as Vitali’s robotic style is probably one of the hardest to break down as he’s fought this way for most of his career, but it’s the only way I see Solis winning this fight.

Getting to the tale of the tape, Reach Solis 79” – Vitali 80”, Height Solis 6’1.5” – Vitali 6’7.5” Age Solis 30 – Vitali 39, and weight Solis usually 250-260lbs – Vitali 245- 252lbs Respectively. Now this is the real issue for me height is always been in Vitali’s favour and while Solis is similar to Vitali in reach and weight, it’s the weight that bothers me.

Vitali is a natural 250lbs, while for a man of Solis’s height to be weighing 250lbs or over in a bout is quite a size to carrying for twelve rounds. Especially since in his last 5 fights he’s been closer to 260-265lbs, against Barrett he was 271lbs. Solis will need to be solid for this bout and not be carrying all that extra mass, he should hitting the scales close to 240-245lbs, because if he isn’t then Vitali is going to be having an easier night at the office than I think Odlanier is capable of giving him, if he comes to the fight in shape then its going to be a good fight, but if not I reckon Vitali goes home champion before the bell even rings, but that’s just my opinion.

Fight Predictions: Should Solis be in Shape. Will be a good fight but Vitali to win on the judges scorecards.

If Solis is out of shape, Vitali wins late stoppage round 10.