rokko
03-28-2012, 08:05 PM
Odlanier Solis returns May 19
Heavyweight Odlanier Solis, the Cuban defector and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, is ready to return to the ring after his blown-out right knee caused a first-round knockout loss to Vitali Klitschko in a March 2011 championship fight.
Solis, who has not fought since losing to Klitschko, will make his comeback May 19 against an opponent to be determined on a "Solo Boxeo Tecate" (Telefutura) card in Pharr, Texas, promoter Arena Box announced Wednesday.
Main Events, which is promoting the card, made a deal with Solis promoter Ahmet Oner of Arena to include Solis on the card in the bout that will open the telecast.
Solis (17-1, 12 KOs), who needed three surgeries on the knee and had previous comeback bouts canceled last year because of setbacks and legal issues, is in Florida working with trainer Pedro Luis Diaz in the camp of Miguel Cotto, who is also trained by Diaz and preparing for his May 5 junior middleweight title defense against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"It feels great to be finally back in action and working on my comeback," Solis said. "The last 12 months have been hell with a lot of setbacks, but now I'm ready to go at it again. Of course, it adds some extra motivation to work with a great champion like Miguel Cotto. We have lots of fun at camp but, of course, we are both very focused and working hard on our goals."
Heavyweight Odlanier Solis, the Cuban defector and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, is ready to return to the ring after his blown-out right knee caused a first-round knockout loss to Vitali Klitschko in a March 2011 championship fight.
Solis, who has not fought since losing to Klitschko, will make his comeback May 19 against an opponent to be determined on a "Solo Boxeo Tecate" (Telefutura) card in Pharr, Texas, promoter Arena Box announced Wednesday.
Main Events, which is promoting the card, made a deal with Solis promoter Ahmet Oner of Arena to include Solis on the card in the bout that will open the telecast.
Solis (17-1, 12 KOs), who needed three surgeries on the knee and had previous comeback bouts canceled last year because of setbacks and legal issues, is in Florida working with trainer Pedro Luis Diaz in the camp of Miguel Cotto, who is also trained by Diaz and preparing for his May 5 junior middleweight title defense against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"It feels great to be finally back in action and working on my comeback," Solis said. "The last 12 months have been hell with a lot of setbacks, but now I'm ready to go at it again. Of course, it adds some extra motivation to work with a great champion like Miguel Cotto. We have lots of fun at camp but, of course, we are both very focused and working hard on our goals."