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Arena’s Cuban heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis advances to the no. 1 spot in the new WBC rankings. Originally “La Sombra“ was scheduled to fight Ray Austin in a final elimination bout but Austin declared to be unavailable due to legal problems. Therefore Solis took Austin’s spot in the rankings.
“This is a great honour for Odlanier and Arena“, stated promoter Ahmet Öner. “To become the no. 1 contender with only 16 pro-fights means something. Odlanier has been an amateur standout and also proved his extraordinary qualities since turning pro in 2007.
“I am convinced that he is the only serious threat to the Klitschko brothers today and I hope that he will get the chance to prove me right very soon.“
But before facing WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, Solis will have to succeed in his biggest challenge so far. Instead of Austin, the three-time world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medallist has been ordered to fight the next highest rated contender Nikolay Valuev in a WBC final elimination bout.
The 7-foot-giant has lost his WBA championship title against David Haye by decision last November and has an impressive record of 50 wins in 53 pro-fights including 34 stoppages.
“I am sure that this fight will be an epic battle“, says Öner. “The whole world will watch when those two tanks collide in the ring. Solis is bringing the excitement back to the heavyweight division. He will end the Klitschko’s reign and on the way there hopefully become the first man to knock out the Russian giant.“
