WBC International Heavyweight champion Odlanier Solis expected the latest  defense of his title against Costa Rica's  Carl Davis Drumond to be a tough, competitive fight.  However,  in Drumond he found an unwilling combatant who inexplicably decided to call it quits after absorbing a few of Solis' body punches. 

A former Cuban Gold Medal winner in the 2004 Olympics, Odlanier "La Sombra" Solis defected from his native Cuba in 2006.  After a brief but unbeaten professional career, he won the vacant WBC International Heavyweight title with a 9-round stoppage in October 2008.  

In Top Rank's promotion staged outdoors at Mallory Square, Key West, Florida, Solis was making the third defense of his title,  having previously beaten Kevin Burnett and Monte Barrett, both by impressive TKO victories.    

The Cuban brought a 15-0 record with 11 wins under the limit, and the 35-year old Costa Rican native Carl Davis Drumond's resumé was an impressive 26-2 with 20 KOs.  The two losses included a technical decision loss to WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev of Russia in early 2009 due to an accidental head butt that caused a cut over Chagaev's eye.  

Although Solis carried a 40 pound weight advantage over his 228 pound opponent, he also surprisingly had the faster hands and sharper combination punches.   From the opening round,  Solis' pressure attack and hard punches to the head and body seemed to affect Drumond.  The challenger was relegated to ineffective counter punching, seemingly unable, or unwilling, to match Solis' aggressive attacking style. 

Nearing the end of the third round again dominated by Solis, a solid combination to the body and head by the Cuban sent Drumond reeling into the ropes as the bell ended the round.  Although having absorbed a few sharp combinations, Drumond did not appear to be seriously hurt as he returned to his corner. 

To the surprise of most in attendance, Drumond did not answer the bell to start the fourth round, awarding the champion the TKO victory and the third successful defense of his WBC International Heavyweight title.   In the post fight analysis, the commentators stated that Drumond's purse was being withheld due to the fight's surprisingly sudden ending.   

The disappointing performance by Drumond was his third successive loss after 26 straight victories that featured 20 KO wins.  He had previously lost to the aforementioned WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev and also suffered a decision loss to Derric Rossy, both in 2009.  The 35-year old may now be relegated to carrying an "opponent" label after his lackluster and uninspired performance against Solis.

Solis, the 29-year old champion with surprisingly fast hands,  power and crisp combination punching,  will most likely have his sights set on the division's more recognizable upper echelon opponents.  The question remains whether his limited height of  6' 2" inches and his penchant for carrying what seems to be excess poundage will be a hindrance in facing taller fighters such as the Klitschko brothers. 

The jury is still out on whether or not Odlanier "La Sombra" Solis will be a serious threat in the heavyweight division.  Or, will he merely be another in a long line of Cuban heavyweights that arrived from the Cuban shores with an impressive amateur pedigree in search of that elusive Heavyweight title, such as Jorge Luis Gonzalez and more recently Juan Carlos Gomez, only to fall short of their goal.

Only time will tell.