No Country for Old Men: Part One

Odlanier “La Sombra” Solis (22-3) was once a talented Cuban amateur but he started to enjoy the US life (and food) and piled the pounds on his 6’1” frame. The result was that Solis became obese and lethargic and back in March of 2014 and again in February of 2015, he was outworked and beaten by veteran Tony Thompson. Solis actually quit on his stool in the rematch. Since then, Solis has won two over limited opponents with losing records (one with 2-25 coming in).

Now, he is reportedly scheduled to fight Manuel Charr in March with—are you sitting down–– a version of the WBA heavyweight title on the line.

Back in 2011, a prime Solis (17-0) was “KO’d” by the legendary Vitali Klitschko in Germany. While he hurt his knee and that led to his falling after taking a light punch to the top of his head, the fact is he was floored by a punch. This, it WAS a KO. Solis seemed to be winning that first round and looked very comfortable but the end came and that was that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxW_1r_SZGA

Solis, 36, is now schedule to fight the 32 year-old Charr (30-4) in Bonn on March 11. Curiously, Klitschko’s last career fight was against the Lebonese “Diamond Boy” (21-0 at the time) in September 2012. Charr’s most recent win was, over unbeaten Macedonian Sefer Seferi (21-0) in September for the vacant WBA International title. Charr lost to Alexander Povetkin, Johann Duhaupas, and Maris Bredis, but holds wins over a badly faded Kevin Johnson and a shot Michael Grant.

Hopefully, this is a done deal and if Solis comes into the fight in shape, he could revive his career, but then again, he might find that the situation is a “No Country for Old Men.” And at its very worse, that kind of scenario can be bleak, scary and relentlessly violent.