Undefeated Cuban Olympic heavyweight gold medalist Odlanier “La Sombra” Solis (16-0, 12 KOs) will face the toughest test of his young career on Friday, Dececember 17, 2010 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida when he meets World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked Ray “The Rainman” Austin (28-4-4, 18 KOs) with the winner earning the right to next face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.Undefeated International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs), from Tallahassee, will appear in the co-featured bout, defending his crown against respected Colombian puncher Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs).
This will be the most significant heavyweight fight in South Florida since the 2007 WBC elimination bout promoted by Don King at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino featuring No. 1-ranked Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter against No. 2-ranked James “Lights Out” Toney. Peter won a unanimous decision and went on to become WBC heavyweight champion.This marks Don King Productions’ first return to American Airlines Arena since Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. Mamadou Thiam in 2000. Don King sees this event as a holiday present for South Floridians.
“Tis the season to be merry and enjoy the company of friends and family, and South Florida boxing fans will have one more reason to rejoice on the week before Christmas with two big heavyweights in Ray Austin and Odlanier Solis fighting to see who will get the chance to face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. That’s about as big as it gets in the heavyweight division right now.”
King added, “And there will be many other important fights on the card including a world championship featuring Florida’s own IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud defending his belt against a tough Colombian in Fulgencio Zuniga. This will be a big night of boxing in Miami.”
A full undercard will be presented. Those bouts will be announced when the matches have been made.
