IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud

Until August of this year, many people said that Tavoris Cloud 21-0 (18) had yet to be tested despite being the IBF light heavyweight champion and beating the veterans Julio Cesar Gonzalez and Clinton Woods.

However when he outpointed Glen Johnson in his last fight, Cloud proved he can fight and could possibly be the best light heavyweight in the World. Tomorrow night in Miami, he defends his title for the second time against the Columbian Fulgencio Zuniga 24-4-1 (21) in what looks like a routine defence.

Zuniga is like many Columbians in that he can punch very hard but is crude. He started off his career down at middleweight but a fourth round stoppage loss to Lucian Bute in an IBF super middleweight challenge does not bode well for his chin against a big puncher like Cloud at light heavyweight.

However Zuniga can bang so Cloud cannot afford to go in recklessly but I would be surprised if Zuniga makes it to the halfway stage. Then there can be some big fights for Cloud who could take on the winner of Pascal-Hopkins or Chad Dawson in 2011.
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Odlanier Solis

The former Cuban amateur star Odlanier Solis 16-0 (12) fights Ray Austin 28-4-4 (18) on the undercard in a WBC heavyweight eliminator.

There can be no doubt about Solis’ abilities but there has to be a doubt that him fighting above 260 lbs as he normally does when he is only 6ft 1 inches tall is the right way to go.

However he should have a bit too much for Austin who I feel is exceptionally lucky to be in an elimination match. Austin was blown away in two rounds by Wladimir Klitschko back in 2007. However Austin has won four since and although a one round stoppage over Andrew Golota and a four round stoppage win over DaVarryl Williamson may look impressive both of those two were over the hill and erratic at their best.

Austin will enjoy significant advantages in height and reach although it is debatable whether he is good enough to use them well enough to cause an upset.

Solis is not a huge puncher so may have to travel a few rounds but I would be shocked if Austin managed to spring the upset.
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The always exciting Ricardo Mayorga 28-7-1 (22) fights for the first time in over two years on the undercard.

Mayorga is a big puncher but has lost when facing the elite of the boxing World. However he sells tickets and some of the outrageous things he says to his opponents at press conferences make people watch him.

Despite being thirty seven, Mayorga should have too much left for opponent Michael Walker 19-5-2 (12) who has lost his last four bouts. Despite probably being well past his peak, expect Mayorga to get a big fight in 2011 simply because of his name and antics.

1. Odlanier Solis “Austin on Dec 17th, then Vitali in March”
2. Cloud to defend light heavyweight crown- Solis vs Austin