By Luke Furman

Promoter Ahmet Oner says Olympic heavyweight champion Odlanier Solis (19-1, 12 KOs) is finally taking his career very seriously. The 33-year-old Cuban wants to secure a shot at the unified king of the heavyweights, Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51 KOs). Solis is hoping to land a shot at Klitschko in 2014. He was last seen in action in March of this year, winning a twelve round decision over previously undefeated Leif Larsen.

"Solis is already in training and weighs 250 pounds. When he started this camp, he weighed 270. In the end I think he realized that this was his last chance. When he was asked for a larger payout [against Tomasz] Adamek, Solis [was not ready and then Adamek] selected Steve Cunningham. Then [trainer] Pedro Diaz threatened him. [Diaz] said that he would leave him if Solis [refused to clean up his act]. Odlanier took this to heart and is now a changed man," Oner said.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.