:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26198743/173082101.0.jpg)
Well Tony Thompson is travelling to Europe once again, this time to Turkey. The heavyweight veteran who has experienced quite a resurgence over the past year, will travel to Turkey in order to take on 2004 Olympic gold medalist Odlanier Solis in a fight that will push the victor forward and potentially deal a big blow to loser. Neither man would appear to have much time left should he suffer a clear loss; Thompson is 42, Solis will be 34 in April.
Promoter Ahmet Ohner had this to say in a press release, via World Boxing News:
"All contracts are signed, the fight is on. Solis vs. Thompson is a great fight which I could actually do everywhere because it will gather lots of interest worldwide. I am very happy that all parties accepted and agreed. These are the fights we need to revive the heavyweight division.
"This fight could go either way. Of course, I believe in my fighter Odlanier Solis. I am still convinced that he will be heavyweight champion of the world. However, he has to beat guys like Thompson to get to the world title. I am pretty sure that the winner of this bout will get another shot at a title either later this year or in 2015 the latest."
In a division that has struggled to create consistent excitement over the last several years, Thompson's pair of wins over David Price were a blast. It shoved him back into the mix of contenders and, despite his decision loss to Kubrat Pulev, he is still one of the best heavyweights in the world. And let's not forget the infamous interview when he declared he would break his wife's hip when he came home.
Solis has been a bit of an underachiever since he defected from Cuba. He won the heavyweight gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, but he severely ballooned up in weight early in his pro career, often fighting 50 or so pounds above his amateur weight. His biggest opportunity came in 2011 when he faced Vitali Klitschko for the WBC belt, but the fight was stopped at the end of the first round under strange circumstances when Solis fell and injured his knee.
But regardless of who has underachieved or overachieved, this could be a good fight between two men who know they have to make something happen or risk falling off entirely. Thompson is in the same place he was last year, either win or his days are likely numbered as a contender. Solis is in the same place he has always been, either win and prove yourself or fade into obscurity.