We all know that Solis is a better fighter than Airich, and under normal circumstances, would beat him handily. But I question whether the 5/19 fight will occur under "normal circumstances." That's because Solis is fighting for the first time after a 15 month layoff. My guess is that Solis will be ring rusty...very much so. Also, there's the issue of how well his tendon injury has heeled. And, that's to say nothing about Solis's psychological state: does he really still have the drive and motivation to box? Airich is nothing special, but he's an unusually tough, rugged clubfighter who can take punishment and dish it out in return. We saw how Airich's gritty, workmanlike performance enabled him to defeat Andrej Pala recently.
Perhaps, Solis looked fat in that 24/7, though I don't know when it was filmed. Although Airich got a good win recently I've seen quiete a bit of him on EuroSport and his workrate can be absolutly terrible. He needs to push the pase if he wants to win. I'd be surprised if he won, consider Solis's talent despite all his flaws, but it could happen. Potentially a tough fight but not much more IMO. Good way to get rounds in for Solis.
Airich is tough, but Solis is so technically sound that he should beat him easily assuming of course that he comes in weighing closer to 200 than 300 lbs
How do you rate Airich's power? Of course, he can't hit like Tua -- that's obvious -- but do you think Airich hits hard enough to KO most guys with 2 or 3 well placed shots? Also, is it fair to say that Airich is an unusually strong guy, in terms of upper body strength, and his capacity to muscle opponents around? My impression also is that Airich is an effective body puncher, although I'm speculating. I don't know for certain.
solis looked out of shape at the fight, but i've seen him blow through guys while out of shape. tough to say
I think Solis can carry 245 lbs very well. He looks fleshy at that weight, but still, I'm not sure that he's overweight. I think his physique is naturally bulky, biologically designed to carry a little extra fat. Some people are just built like that. Anything over 245 lbs, though, I think represents too much weight for Solis. My guess is that if Solis tried to get back down to 230 lbs or less -- as so many of his critics say he should do -- he'd only be weak.
he weighed around 200 when he was an amateur, he simply ate away his career away at McD's, KFC and all those other **** fastfood places his career high was 271 vs Barrett, going up more than 50 lbs isn't natural, it's horrendously unhealthy I agree that at 32, and considering his 15 month layoff, he shouldn't drop below 230, he'd just be draining himself
Solis was 200 lbs in his early and mid-20s, though. That's when he fought amateur. I suspect that Solis may have been starving himself to make weight in those days. Keep in mind that as guys pass through there 20s, they undergo physical and weight changes. Many guys get bigger during this stage. For this reason, I don't think that 230 lbs to 245 lbs is unreasonable for Solis.
From what I've seen he's quiete a thudding puncher, definatly has some natural strength. Like I said I don't remember the fights he was in very well, but he showed major cardio issues. Funny you mention Tua because he does seem to plod a lot.
It's these kinds of guys, that you just described -- "thudding punchers, etc" -- who are best positioned get lucky wins. If they're fighting someone better, and the better guy is out of shape or having a terrible night, or is ring rusty, then sometimes the puncher makes good and wins. Airich is definitely a plodder, though. No doubt about that.
Another potential pitfall for Solis is the money he made against Vitali. Didn't Solis clear a cool million that day? If so, he may have gotten accustomed to luxury living. It's possible that old hunger (psychological drive to win, to excel) may have faded. I'm just speculating...don't know for sure. But it's something to think about.
