Odlanier Solis Vs Francois Botha moved to July 4th in Istanbul

Originally ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner had planned to present heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis in the USA on May 17th, 2008 but the Cuban Olympic gold medallist was denied visa. Now ARENA’s attorneys tried again to get “La Sombra” into the US but the Consulate in Berlin denied the application again.

Apparently the US authorities don’t want Solis to enter the States as they presume the three-time world amateur champion could stay in Miami like his fellow defectors Yan Barthelemy and Yuriorkis Gamboa did. Actually Solis is currently planning to buy a house in Cologne, Germany to settle down there.

“It’s a pity for the American boxing fans”, states Öner. “I would love to show them the up-and-coming superstar of the sport. But obviously the US authorities don’t want to have a future world champion in their country right now. Anyways I am sure that I will be able to present Solis sooner or later. For now the Turkish fans are lucky as we will hold the fight with Botha in Istanbul – as originally planned – and I am sure that it will be a great show.”

The bout will take place as co-main event for the European heavyweight championship between Sinan Samil Sam and Matt Skelton scheduled for July 4th 2008 at Bagcilar Olympic Sport Complex in Istanbul/Turkey.

As ‘warm-up’ for Istanbul Solis will be back in action this Saturday (June 7th) in Hattersheim (close to Frankfurt) against 20-year-old Harry Duiven, jr. (12-2-1, 10 kos).