FightSaga.com | Boxing news, videos and profiles

Odlanier Solis, former Cuban amateur world boxing champion and 2004 Olympic Gold medalist defected in December 2006 along with teammates Yuriorkis Gamboa and Yan Barthelemy while in training in Venezuela for the Pan American Games.

The trio escaped to Columbia and landed in Miami, Florida where they signed with German boxing promoter Ahmet Oner of ARENA Box-Promotion. They were later joined by fellow Cuban Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux who successfully escaped in February 2009.

Odlanier Solis made his pro debut on Friday, April 27, 2007 at the Arena Gym in Hamburg, Germany where he beat Andreas Sidon (32-8-0, 26 KOs) by 1st round knockout at 0:47. Sidon was down twice in round one by overhand rights.

On Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Odlanier Solis beat former heavyweight champion Monte Barrett (34-8-0, 20 KOs) by 2nd round TKO. Solis landed a big left that put Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett down on the canvas but Barrett beat the count. Solis finished him off at 1:54 of round two with a barrage of punches.

Odlanier Solis beat Carl Davis Drumond (26-3-0, 20 KOs) by 3rd round TKO on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida. Solis buckled Drumond's knees leaving him on shaky legs at the end of the 3rd round. Drumond did come out for round four retiring on his stool. In addition to his victory Solis retained his WBC International heavyweight title and WBA Fedelatin heavyweight title. The fight card was promoted by Bob Arum of Top Rank and televised live on FOX Espanol.

Solis in a weird ending beat Ray Austin (28-5-4, 18 KOs) by 10th round DQ on Friday, December 17, 2010 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator bout. Solis hurt Austin in round ten with a combination. Austin was hanging on to Solis and drove him into the ropes causing the two of them to almost tropple out of the ring. They were pushed back in by promoter Ahmet Oener and referee Tellis Assimenios then after the bell Austin punched Solis. Referee Tommy Kimmons immediately disqualified Austin. Solis will now have 100 days to face Vitali Klitschko in a WBC heavyweight title fight.