At its 47th Annual World Convention in Jeju (Korea) this week the WBC announced the new world ratings. After his impressive 2nd round tko victory over former world title challenger Monte Barrett on October 10th in New York heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis advances to rank #3 after only 15 pro-fights (15 wins, 11 kos).

“I am very grateful that my merits are appreciated the way they are”, states Solis. “Still being recognized as the #3 heavyweight in the world is not what I turned pro for. I will continue to work hard to prove that I am the no. 1. Actually I am convinced that I could beat the two guys ahead of me (Ray Austin and Oleg Maskaev) on one night. I will be heavyweight champion of the world – no matter who I have to fight and beat to get there!”

At the moment most boxing fans and experts consider WBC champion Vitali Klitschko to be the best heavyweight in the world…

“I don’t care what people think“, adds Solis. “Everybody who sees Klitschko as the best should just wait until I’m done with him. I will let everybody know that he is only human, too, and can be knocked down like every other fighter in the world. I will continue going after him until I am the no. 1 contender and he cannot avoid fighting me.”

Another result of the 47th WBC Convention especially delighted Solis’ promoter Ahmet Öner. The Board of Governors decided that the 49th Convention in 2011 will be held in Öner’s home country Turkey.

“This is a very big thing for Turkey and it shows that we have done a good job so far in establishing professional boxing in Turkey”, says Öner. “We will help the Turkish Federation wherever we can to make sure that the 49th Annual World Convention will be one to remember for all delegates coming to the Bosporus.”

In June 2007, Öner became the first promoter to host professional boxing in Turkey after it had been banned for almost 40 years. With WBC #3 rated welterweight Selcuk Aydin and former EBU and WBC international heavyweight champion Sinan Samil Sam Öner also has the best Turkish fighters under contract.

Next year the WBC will be in Cancun, Mexico, for its 48th Convention before coming to Turkey in 2011.