Sam Soliman's opponent for his December 12th date has been confirmed as Argentinian Jose Clavero, 25-2 (11 KO's). His next fight in the US will be his first fight in 2005, perhaps as early as February according to manager Stuart Duncan. "We have every bit of faith in Dan Goossen," said Duncan of Soliman's US promoter. "He has a proven history of making the big fights happen. The way it's looking now, it could be Sam against Antwun Echols for the mandatory shot (at champion Bernard Hopkins). We've already beaten Joval and Echols is next in line." Rated ahead of Echols, however, is IBF number seven Bert Schenk. "What a joke," responds Duncan, "Even if he did earn his spot like the other guys did, we'd fight him on the moon. Anywhere, anytime. Bert Schenk is the weak link at 160. But Echols is a good measuring stick for Hopkins. He's been there, done that."

Soliman's manager also laid down the gauntlet to comeback king Felix Trinidad.

"The fight we'd love is Felix Trinidad. We'll pay you US$1,000,000 to come here, or we'll come to your backyard for a fraction of that. Our number one spot is up for grabs. How much do you really want Hopkins?"

Hopkins is also in Soliman's radar.

"We don't care when or where. We won't price ourselves out of it, and then we'll give 50% to a children's charity of Bernard's choice. How much easier can we make it?"

With it having just been announced that Hopkins is set to defend against Britain's Howard Eastman, Soliman may to have to wait just a little longer to get the champions name on his resume. But the rest of the 160-pound division can rest assured of one thing - notice has been served.

Click to read more boxing articles by Greig Johnston

Discuss in Boxing Forum | Send to a friend.

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Soliman Wins Again; Looks to Taylor.

  Australian middleweight star Sam "The King" Soliman entered the ring tonight at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in California in search of an impressive performance. Soliman was in Las Vegas >
  
  

• Soliman Keeps Busy.

  

  Australian middleweight star Sam "The King" Soliman will return to the ring in February in Melbourne, Australia against Miguel Julio. >
  
  

• Soliman eyeing Hopkins-Taylor Winner.

  Sam "The King" Soliman is one of Australia's leading fight stars but despit being the IBF's mandatory contender for some time, he has been unable to secure a spot in >
  
  

• Boxing Round By Round: Sam Soliman - Raul Munoz

  One of the top middleweights in the world, Sam Soliman, stepped in as a late replacement to face Raul "El Toro" Munoz, of Topeka, KS as the headlining bout of >
  
  

• Winky Wright On Path To Middleweight Boxing Showdown

  With “Winky” Wright solidifying the right to face Jermain Taylor, the stage is now set for two of the best jabbers in boxing, in my opinion, to face each other, >
  
  

• Wayne McCullough Update.

  

  I just received another update from Wayne and Cheryl McCullough regarding the current status of Wayne's career following his loss to Oscar Larios for >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Winky Wright Vs Sam Soliman 10th December

  Sam Soliman – Winky Wright December 10 Mohegun Sun Casino Unsworth Connecticut USA Stuart Duncan today announced that negotiations had been successful with the Soliman – Wright fight slated for December 10 at >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Ikeke Who ? Number 2 – that’s who

  As the circus continues with the 160 lb division, Kinglsey Ikeke has emerged as the clown act. Sam Soliman is the IBF # 1 middleweight in the world. He >
  
  

• Soliman Eager for Taylor Fight.

  

  IBF # 1 Middleweight Sam Soliman was ecstatic to learn form his Promoter Dan Goossen that it looks like a >
  
  

• Ouma - Soliman To Meet in Boxing Firefight?

  Great fights are made with action and could there ever be a more action packed fight than a potential middleweight showdown between Kassim Ouma and Sam Soliman? If the two >
  
  

---