Berlin – Injured ex-Olympic heavyweight champion Odlanier Solis said on Wednesday he is so desperate for a re-match with world champion Vitali Klitschko that he is willing to fight for free.
The Cuban challenger suffered a knee injury in the first round of his WBC world title fight on March 19 in Cologne, Germany, which saw Klitschko awarded a technical knock-out amidst bizarre scenes.
The Ukrainian, 39, caught Solis with a blow to the head towards the end of the round and Solis suffered a serious right knee injury as he fell.
The Cuban had a successful operation in Germany last Thursday to repair a torn cruciate knee ligament.
But Solis is in bullish mood, despite needing a second operation in April before he can begin rehabilitation treatment.
He is not expected to return to the ring for up to seven months.
“I hope that Vitali is man enough to give me a re-match,” Solis told the Passauer Neue Presse.
Solis then sent a direct message to Klitschko.
“Let's fight again in Cologne,” said the 31-year-old. “Those who paid a lot of money to see the first fight can get in for free.
“I don't need to earn any money from this fight, I just want your belt!”
Despite his embarrassing defeat, Solis has big plans.
“I used to see boxing only as a job, but that has changed now,” said the 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion.
“I have a dream, a goal for which I will work. I want to be a world champion and remain so for a very, very long time.”
Despite falling to the first decent punch Klitschko threw, Solis could not resist trash-talking the champion.
“I've seen how easy it is to defeat Vitali,” said the Cuban.
“If the injury had not got in the way, I would have taken him apart. He is a boxing zero, I was surprised at how weak he is.” – Sapa-AFP