[url]http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=391766&cat=boxer[/url] Its official, Cuban Heavyweight prospect Odlandier Solis will face Fres Oquendo on May 22, and will take a tune up match with Robert Hawkins (never heard of him) on May 1. So who wins?
IF Solis is even half serious for this fight and comes inshape, he'd beat Oquendo who's a borderline journeyman at this point... Even in his prime, I saw him as a fringe contender at best but now he's just a stepping stone.. Im still not confident in this pick knowing Solis has been out of shape but if he comes in shape and focused, it's his fight..
Nice step up for Solis. Hope he shows up under 240lbs for the first time in his pro career. The fight with Hawkins is probably off, now that Oquendo is on.
People rarely look good against Oquendo! Solis will likely have to fight quite a few rounds, possibly going to a decision (that's dangerous territory). I guess the good thing is that he doesn't have to worry too much about Oquendo's power. Losing a decision to Oquendo is unlikely to "ruin" Solis as a prospect. So you have a challenging, but relatively "safe", step-up fight. Solis isn't getting any younger, so this is the type of fight he needs to see how his Pro career is progressing. A clear KO over Oquendo would start to establish Solis as a contender. (Top 25 or so)
In shape, Solis can rule. Out of shape, he's European-level at best. Shame. Hopefully Gamboa/Rigondeux/Perez/Garcia/Lara won't go the same way.
