RSR Team Picks: Vitali Klitschko vs Odlanier Solis / Lucian Bute vs Brian Magee
Compiled by Mike Plunkett
Vitali Klitschko vs Odlanier Solis
Saturday March 19th promises to be a big day for the sport of boxing. The elder Klitschko, 41-2, 38 KO’s, the dominant if aging WBC heavyweight champion, looks to stave off the advances of the 17-0, 12 KO’s Odlanier Solis, not to mention Father Time. Much has been made of this bout given the challenger’s recent lackluster showings, but with the clock loudly ticking for Klitschko and with a super bout with WBA titlist and all-purpose loudmouth David Haye looming, will the unexpected occur?
IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, 27-0, 22 KO’s looks to stay sharp with a routine title defense against Ireland’s Brian Magee, 34-3-1, 24 KO’s, a heartfelt top-15 fighter looking to make the most of a moment few believe he has earned. RSR’s team of writers, interviewers and pugilistic prognosticators give their expert opinions on the outcome.
Damien Norman
Vitali Klitschko by unanimous decision.
Marc Anthony
Going go with Vitali Klitschko, too much of a dominant force.
Brian Wilbur
This is a pretty decent fight in the heavyweight division, mostly due to the unknown and intrigue surrounding Cuban defector Odlanier Solis. Solis is a gold medal winner so you know he has the pedigree, but he remains an unknown due to his limited experience at the pro level. Vitali should be able to hammer out a late stoppage win fighting in his signature awkward style that gives everyone trouble. Klitschko’s size and strength will wear on Solis and force a late round stoppage.
Gina L. Caliboso
Can anyone stop the Brother(s) Klitschko? At this point, I’d heartily say no, but I would love an upset or at least a competitive fight. Prediction: Klitschko by 8th round KO.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Vitali Klitschko by boring unanimous decision.
Eric Fleming
I’m picking Vitali Klitschko to win.
Rodell Bautista
Vitali Klitschko is 40 years old, and is showing some signs of decline. Solis is seasoned way beyond his 17 professional fights, having only defected from Cuba in 2006, he won the gold medal in Athens and has 227 amateur wins under his belt. Definitely the toughest test Klitschko has faced in a while. If Solis was American this would be the fight of the year. If Solis can get inside Klitschko’s jab and inflict some power on the inside we could see a big upset. Vitali Klitschko by decision or Odlanier Solis if it’s a stoppage – round 9.
Benjamin Bieker
This fight easily goes to the Vitali Klitschko. The heavyweight division is thin outside of the brothers, and no one really is a threat to them.
Geno McGahee
Ok, I’m going out on an enormous limb here, but the 39 year old, robotic Vitali Klitschko, may not be able to deal with the mobility and youth and power of Solis. Solis by shocking mid round stoppage, perhaps Vitali quitting on his stool, realizing he is done.
Eugene Zelenyi
Vitali Klitschko KO’s out an out-of-breath and out-of-room Solis in the 10th.
Donald Stewart
Vitali Klistchko wins late on. Odlanier Solis makes it a contest but runs out of steam and Vitali picks him off.
Michael Plunkett
Long ago I believed I saw a hint of something special in Odlanier Solis. He has fantastic pedigree; a decorated amateur standout, three time winner of the World Amateur Boxing Championships and an Olympic Gold medal at the 2004 Athens games. He’s shown a range of speeds to go along with the skill and sudden explosive power when he decides to put the pedal to the metal. His destructive knockout of Monte Barrett illustrated just how powerful and explosive he can become when in the zone, the sort of destructive demolition fans look for from names such as Haye, Tua and Peter. The only knock I have is his apparent disregard for his weight and general conditioning, a key factor that could spell doom in this bout.
As for Vitali Klitschko, I have long been a fan of his underrated if ugly boxing ability and defensive skill. He is the consummate professional and a world-class gentleman that at his best would have gone head to head with ANY big man in history. But is Vitali the fighter he once was? His recent showings suggest otherwise despite his having repeatedly come out on top. He has slowed down noticeably and the odometer reading hints that things may soon suddenly come to a halt. I love this guy, and despite my awareness that he should dominate this match I’m going with Geno on this one. Look for a stepped-up Odlanier Solis AND Father Time to take the WBC title with an exhausted and battered Klitschko remaining in his corner after the 9th.
Lucian Bute vs Brian Magee
Damien Norman
Lucian Bute by unanimous decision
Marc Anthony
Going with Lucian Bute, too focused at this point in time.
Brian Wilbur
This is a gross mismatch. Magee is past his prime and was never that good to begin with. Bute wins by early round knockout. Why are they matching such a talented fighter like Bute so soft? This match makes no sense to me.
Gina L. Caliboso
I absolutely love Lucian Bute. Undefeated, Bute is confident and will outbox any opponent. Prediction: Bute by 6th round KO.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Lucian Bute by 8th round TKO.
Eric Fleming
I’m going with Lucian Bute to win.
Rodell Bautista
Lucian Bute stays undefeated with a KO 9.
Benjamin Bieker
Lucian Bute, to me, is in his prime. In his 6 title defenses he has stopped five of his opponents. Three of them went down in less than four rounds. He will retain his belt again in this fight.
Geno McGahee
Lucian Bute by late stoppage over Brian Magee.
Eugene Zelenyi
Lucian Bute KO’s Brian Magee in the 8th.
Donald Stewart
Lucian Bute will not like fighting Brian Magee. Magee is a good boxer and I think this may be an upset. My heart says Magee in the latter stages of the contest whilst my head says Bute with unanimous decision. Magee is an Irishman and its St. Patrick’s Day; let my heart go for my Celtic cousin and say Magee by KO in the last 3 rounds.
Michael Plunkett
Lucian Bute looks to be all but unstoppable right now. He is arguably the best super middleweight in the world; active, seasoned, and on an undeniable wave of positive momentum. Brian Magee wants to change all of that, having restructured his career after being hammered by a still somewhat green Carl Froch five years ago. The Irish southpaw has the size and boxing ability to present complication for the champion, but for how long? Look for Bute to dial-in the correct sequence of sharp punches sometime around the 7th, suddenly ending matters in his favor…..giving him his seventh successful title defense to date.
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