Arena Boxing: Solis, Lara, Kretschmann, Aydin In Action This Weekend

Arena CEO Ahmet Öner brings Cuba libre, Cuban music and Caribbean atmosphere to the German North Sea on September 12! Heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis, 10-0 (6), is ready to delight the fans at Cuxhaven ’s Kugelbake Halle. The 2004 Olympic gold medallist is one of the last great Cuban amateur boxing stars. This year in Peking no other fellow Cuban was able to reach gold.

In Cuxhaven “La Sombra” will step into the ring for the 11th time as a pro against veteran Chad Van Sickle from the USA, 22-8-3 (12). A tough challenge for Solis but Arena CEO Ahmet Öner assures: “Solis will beat him. I hope that he will be able to knock him out. After all he wants to prove that he is ready for higher challenges and to beat the big names in the heavyweight division.

After an injury break which prevented him from fighting since early June Solis is back in shape and ready to go. “Of course, it is always hard to come back after an injury”, says coach Orlando Cuellar, “but Odlanier looked great in sparring lately. He is ready and will run over his opponent.”

To prepare for Van Sickle Solis did some rounds of sparring with fellow Cuban and heavyweight championship contender Juan Carlos Gomez. “The Black Panther” himself is currently preparing for his WBC Final Eliminator against Vladimir Virchis from Ukraine on September 27 in Hamburg .

Light middleweight prospect Erislandy Lara is the second Cuban on the card. The 2005 world amateur champion who defected from his home country earlier this year to turn pro will face Latvian journeyman Denis Alekseevs.

Lara and Solis have two things in common: only an impressive performance will bring them closer to future championship bouts.

The German boxing fans in Cuxhaven are especially looking forward to seeing unbeaten German heavyweight hope Steffen Kretschmann. “Kretsche” has had a great amateur career as well winning bronze at the world championships in Houston (1999) and Bangkok (2003) and excellently mastered his first steps in the pro ranks, winning his first 10 bouts, knocking out 8 of his opponents.

In Cuxhaven Kretschmann will face US journeyman Otis Tisdale, 25-21-1 (15), and is very ambitious regarding his next steps: “I hope to get in line for a shot for the European championship soon”, states Kretschmann.

Exciting rising welterweight star Selcuk Aydin, 15-0-0 (12), has already won his first title. Arena’s “Mini-Tyson” is the reigning WBC International Champion. He will defend his belt against Russian contender Marat Khuzeev, 17-3-1 (6). Coach Karsten Röwer expects an impressive victory from his protégée: “Selcuk works hard for this challenge; he will be at the top of his game.”

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Tino Groß, 6-0 (4), wants to impress the crowd as well. The 6’7’’ fighter from Gotha will face Georgian Armen Azizian, 9-7 (1).

Eight Fights are scheduled in total for next Friday. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. The german sports network DSF will be broadcasting live from 8:30 p.m. Tickets are still available, call +49(0)4721-408188 or visit www.nordwest-ticket.de.