WBC Prediction: Vitali Klitschko Will Knockout Odlanier Solis Within 6 Rounds

WBC heavyweight champion “Dr. Iron Fist” Vitali Klitschko will successfully defend his crown against tough Cuban defector Odlanier Solis in a few hours at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.

Solis (17-0, 12 KOs), who captured a Gold Medal competing as a heavyweight for Cuba at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, fled to the United States a couple of years ago.

"Odlanier is in the prime of his career,'' said Solis’ trainer Pedro Luis Diaz. ”My boxer is at the ideal weight to beat Vitali Klitschko. No more, no less. Just enough. Solis' preparation has been designed and prepared, down to the smallest detail. Vitali does not know what kind of trouble he is in for.”

Klitschko (41-2, 38 KOs) last fought in October when he savagely, and mercilessly, battered Shannon Briggs (51-6-1-1, 45 KOs) en route to earning a lopsided, unanimous decision victory.

“It was one of the toughest fights of my life, it was a brutal fight,” said Briggs, 38. “I’ve fought George Foreman, I’ve fought Lennox Lewis, and Vitali’s the best. He hits harder than Foreman, he’s got incredibly fast hands.”

Vitali (41-2, 38 KOs), who, as an accomplished kickboxer, amassed an impressive mark of 34-1 with 22 knockouts, is an extremely tough Ukrainian, and his ring prowess cannot be questioned.

Vitali’s two losses were extremely flimsy and unconvincing.

In April 2000, Klitschko easily outclassed Chris Byrd (40-6-1, 22 KOs) for nine rounds before he was forced to quit on his stool due to a torn rotator cuff that he suffered during the action.

In June 2003, Klitschko was beating one of the greatest heavyweight champions ever, Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs), after six rounds of captivating action.

Unfortunately, and justifiably, the referee halted the contest prior to the start of round seven and awarded Lewis the victory due to a drastically severe gash over Klitschko’s left eye.

Hence, Vitali Klitschko has never been genuinely trumped as a pro.

Klitschko has not once been knocked to the canvas in a professional contest, and he owns the highest knockout percentage (95 percent) of any heavyweight in history.

Nevertheless, Klitschko made it clear he is not taking Solis lightly.

"Solis is one of the strongest opponents in my career,'' Klitschko said. “I've never fought against a guy who has so many titles as an amateur. He's an Olympic gold medalist, he's a three-time world champion, he's undefeated as a professional, young, hungry and very good as a boxer.”

Solis is 30 and in the prime of his physical capabilities.

Conversely, despite his sustained ring dominance, Klitschko, at 39, is arguably on the downside of his illustrious career.

Still, “Dr. Iron Fist” is a titlist for the ages and he will conduct aggressive surgery on the face and body of the decorated Cuban amateur and knockout Solis within six rounds for his 10th straight triumph later today.