David Price believes Odlanier Solis could be the man to end Vitali Klitschko's reign as WBC heavyweight champion.
Liverpudlian has mixed reviews of heavyweight contender
David Price believes Odlanier Solis could be the man to end Vitali Klitschko's reign as WBC heavyweight champion.
The Ukrainian defends the title against the Cuban, who brought in the Liverpudlian for sparring recently, on Saturday night.
But while Olympic bronze medallist Price was impressed by Solis, he admits there are two sides to the undefeated 30-year-old.
"There were times we sparred when I thought that he was one of the very best," said Price, who continues his ring education in Liverpool on April 27.
"On other occasions I thought either I was world class right now or he was ordinary.
"I watched a DVD on Thursday of Lennox Lewis beating Vitali. Back then Vitali was five times faster than he seems now and Solis could be in the right place at the right time.
Sparring
"I wouldn't be surprised if he fought similar to what David Haye did against Nikolai Valuev and used footwork to stay out of trouble and nick rounds.
"When we were sparring his trainer would be telling him to do all sorts with his feet and that did bamboozle me.
"He is certainly fit enough to do 12 rounds because his sparring has been four minutes rounds."
Solis has been hailed in some quarters as the saviour of the heavyweight division, but his progress has stalled as his weight has increased.
He came in heavy and looked lethargic in his last fight against the veteran Ray Austin, earning victory via disqualification, and he will need to perform better if he is to take the belt from Klitschko.
"His team are amazingly confident and can only see one winner, Solis," Price added. "His career has flattered to deceive and he hasn't looked great at times, but this could be the night he shines.
"Cubans were like that in the amateurs. They would labour against an unknown Norwegian in one fight and the next day look sensational against the best Russian."
