Solis Returns To Face Unbeaten Norwegian Heavyweight Larsen

ByBoxing Press

Cuban 2004 Olympic gold medalist and former WBC world heavyweight title challenger Odlanier Solis (18-1, 12 KOs) arrived in Berlin, Germany, this morning where he will face unbeaten Norwegian powerhouse Leif Larsen (17-0, 14 KOs) at Universal Hall this Friday (March 22nd) on a card broadcasted live on Eurosport.

“It’s important for Solis to get back into the ring”, says promoter Ahmet Oner. “He only fought once last year. We got to keep him active, At the same time it doesn’t help if he just beats tomato cans and journey man.

“So I am very happy that we could get the fight with Larsen done. We discussed this fight last year already. Larsen said that Solis would duck him. I’m glad that Solis has a chance to prove that he is not ducking anybody. He is the best heavyweight fighter in the world and will be world champion very soon.”

“La Sombra” was mandatory challenger for WBC titlist Vitali Klitschko in March 2011 but lost due to a serious knee injury he suffered in the first round of the championship bout. Now he wants to get back into the title race by defending his IBF Intercontinental championship which he won by easily outboxing hard-hitting German Konstantin Airich in May 2012.

In the co-feature, Turkish welterweight star Selcuk Aydin (23-2, 17 KOs) returns to Germany after losing his last two bouts in the United States against Robert Guerrero and Jesus Soto Karass. To get back on the winning track, Aydin will drop down to junior welterweight and face Italian veteran and long-time European champion Giuseppe Lauri (53-11, 31 KOs).

“Both Solis and Aydin are elite fighters”, says Oner. “I am proud to bring these two international stars back to Germany on the same card. And both guys will be in tough fights against quality opponents. This will be a huge show on Eurosport.”

Oner, Aydin and Solis will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 19th, at noon at Best Western Hotel MAO in Berlin. The show at Universal Hall starts at 7pm German time on Friday, March 22nd. The live broadcast on Eurosport starts at 9pm German time.