Julian Solís

Julian Solís
Born
Julián Solís de Jesús

(1957-01-07) January 7, 1957 (age 67)
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights55
Wins41
Wins by KO22
Losses13
Draws1

Julian Solís De Jesus (born 7 January 1957) is a former boxer from Puerto Rico. He was born in the San Juan area of Río Piedras, but because of the closeness of his birthplace to Caguas, he often trained at the Bairoa Gym in Caguas. His training base, however, was the Caimito Gym.

A former Lineal and WBA Bantamweight champion, Solis is the only world champion in a family that produced two other world-class boxers: brother Enrique was outpointed by WBA Featherweight champion Eusebio Pedroza in 1978, and brother Rafael was knocked out in five rounds by WBC Super featherweight champion Héctor Camacho in 1983.

Professional boxing career

The son of Jose Julian Solis and of Gloria De Jesus,[1] Solis began his professional boxing career in 1975, outpointing Ray Negron in four on 11 November. He won his first five fights in Puerto Rico, and then had his first international fight in December 1975, when he beat Juan Gómez in St. Maarten by a knockout in round two. On 12 February 1978, he met fringe contender Nivio Nolasco, outpointing him over ten rounds, and travelled to the Dominican Republic, where on 15 March he outpointed Leopoldo Frias also in ten rounds. With a record of 12-0 and 5 knockouts, he returned to the Dominican Republic, where he challenged Julio Soto Solano on 16 October for the "Latin American Bantamweight title", winning the regional belt by outpointing Solano over 12 rounds.

World bantamweight championship

In 1979, he won four fights, including one over Julio C. Saba knocked out in eight rounds in Buenos Aires. Solis continued on his travels in 1980. He retained the Latin American title with a 12th-round knockout of future world title challenger Edgar Roman in Venezuela, won a fight in South Africa, and challenged the Lineal and WBA Bantamweight champion Jorge Lujan in Miami on 29 August, winning on points.[2]

For his first defense, Solis returned to Miami, but he lost the belt and his undefeated record to Jeff Chandler on November 14 when he was knocked out in the fourteenth round. After beginning 1981 with a win, he met Chandler again on 25 July, at Atlantic City, New Jersey. This time Chandler did the job in half the time, knocking out Solis in the seventh round. His next fight, with Kiko Bejines (later to die in a boxing related accident) in Los Angeles, also resulted in a seventh-round knockout defeat.

Solis started 1982 by winning two fights in San Juan and another one in Chile. By 1983, he was a popular performer in televised fights, often held in small Puerto Rican cities. He won four fights in Puerto Rico that year, and drew in Panama with the Number One ranked super bantamweight, Bernardo Checa. In 1984, he won three fights, including a ten-round decision over future world champion Kenny Mitchell on the 8 December undercard of the Azumah Nelson - Wilfredo Gómez WBC Featherweight championship bout in San Juan. In 1985, Solis fought only once, outpointing David Campo. He began 1986 by losing on points to Mike Ayala over ten rounds on 2 March in San Antonio. Solis and his handlers felt he had been robbed of a victory by the judges in this fight, feeling that Solis had done enough to win. They filed a complaint with the Texas state athletic commission, but in vain, as the officials reviewed a tape of the fight and decided the result should stand.

Solis fought on from this point, but he only won six of his last fifteen bouts before retiring in 1992. True to his globe-trotting style, only two of those bouts were in Puerto Rico, and he visited Italy, South Korea, South Africa once again, Miami and various American states. Among the boxers he faced during the last part of his career were future world Bantamweight champion Maurizio Stecca, former world Bantamweight champion Calvin Grove, Seung-Hoon Lee and Pedro Decima.

Solis retired with a record of 41 wins, 13 losses and 1 draw, with 22 knockouts. He remains active as a public figure in Puerto Rico, participating in charity exhibitions here and there.

Professional boxing record

55 fights 41 wins 13 losses
By knockout 22 5
By decision 19 7
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
55 Loss 41–13–1 Stéphane Haccoun RTD 5 (10) 1992-12-15 Ozoir-la-Ferrière, France
54 Loss 41–12–1 Tony Green UD 10 (10) 1992-06-16 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
53 Win 41–11–1 Jeff Roberts KO 3 (10) 1991-06-26 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
52 Loss 40–11–1 Calvin Grove UD 10 (10) 1991-01-08 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51 Win 40–10–1 Mike Cruz KO 2 (10) 1990-04-10 Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
50 Win 39–10–1 Anthony Boyle RTD 6 (10) 1990-01-04 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Loss 38–10–1 Simon Skosana UD 10 (10) 1989-04-30 Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa
48 Loss 38–9–1 Pedro Rubén Décima UD 10 (10) 1989-01-17 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
47 Loss 38–8–1 Jesus Poll UD 12 (12) 1988-10-14 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For NABF super-bantamweight title
46 Win 38–7–1 Tony Williams UD 8 (8) 1988-05-30 Marriott Hotel, Trumbull, Connecticut, U.S.
45 Loss 37–7–1 Lee Seung-hoon PTS 10 (10) 1988-03-20 Jongha Gymnasium, Ulsan, South Korea
44 Loss 37–6–1 Maurizio Stecca DQ 6 (?) 1987-12-11 Livorno, Italy
43 Win 37–5–1 Victor Baez PTS 10 (10) 1987-07-30 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
42 Loss 36–5–1 Joe Ruelaz KO 3 (10) 1987-04-09 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
41 Win 36–4–1 Larry Highsmith KO 3 (?) 1987-02-21 El San Juan Hotel & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico
40 Win 35–4–1 Franklin Salas KO 6 (?) 1986-11-28 Holiday Beach Hotel, Willemstad, Curaçao
39 Loss 34–4–1 Mike Ayala MD 10 (10) 1986-03-02 HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
38 Win 34–3–1 David Capo UD 10 (10) 1985-05-19 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
37 Win 33–3–1 Kenny Mitchell UD 10 (10) 1984-12-08 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
36 Win 32–3–1 Manuel Batista PTS 10 (10) 1984-09-06 Coliseo Pedrín Zorrilla, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
35 Win 31–3–1 Terry Kemp KO 2 (10) 1984-07-21 Coliseo Salvador Dijols, Ponce, Puerto Rico
34 Win 30–3–1 Jorge Ortiz KO 4 (?) 1984-02-18 Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
33 Win 29–3–1 Julio Guerrero KO 5 (?) 1983-12-14 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
32 Win 28–3–1 Manuel Santos PTS 10 (10) 1983-10-27 Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
31 Draw 27–3–1 Bernardo Checa SD 12 (12) 1983-08-13 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama For vacant WBA Fedelatin super-bantamweight title
30 Win 27–3 Ruben Dario Herasme KO 4 (?) 1983-04-23 Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns, Ponce, Puerto Rico
29 Win 26–3 Epifanio Melendez KO 4 (?) 1983-02-12 Canóvanas, Puerto Rico
28 Win 25–3 Heriberto Olivares PTS 10 (10) 1982-08-18 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
27 Win 24–3 Jorge Araya KO 4 (12) 1982-03-29 Santiago, Chile Won vacant WBC Continental Americas super-bantamweight title
26 Win 23–3 Ismael Santana TKO 7 (?) 1982-02-20 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
25 Loss 22–3 Francisco Bejines TKO 7 (10) 1981-11-12 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
24 Loss 22–2 Jeff Chandler KO 7 (15) 1981-07-25 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBA & The Ring bantamweight titles
23 Win 22–1 Humberto Rodriguez KO 8 (?) 1981-05-22 El San Juan Hotel & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico
22 Loss 21–1 Jeff Chandler TKO 14 (15) 1980-11-14 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S. Lost WBA & The Ring bantamweight titles
21 Win 21–0 Jorge Luján SD 15 (15) 1980-08-29 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Won WBA & The Ring bantamweight titles
20 Win 20–0 Welile Nkosinkulu SD 10 (10) 1980-05-31 Mdantsane Stadium, Mdantsane, South Africa
19 Win 19–0 Edgar Roman TKO 12 (12) 1980-02-02 Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela Retained WBC FECARBOX bantamweight title
18 Win 18–0 Juan Ramirez KO 2 (10) 1979-12-18 Stadium, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
17 Win 17–0 Bobby Flores KO 1 (10) 1979-09-25 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Julio Cesar Saba RTD 8 (10) 1979-06-02 Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba, Argentina
15 Win 15–0 Guillermo Almengot PTS 10 (10) 1979-03-25 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
14 Win 14–0 Gilberto Illueca PTS 10 (10) 1978-11-27 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
13 Win 13–0 Julio Soto Solano PTS 12 (12) 1978-10-16 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Retained WBC FECARBOX bantamweight title
12 Win 12–0 Jaime Ricardo KO 8 (12) 1978-08-28 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won vacant WBC FECARBOX bantamweight title
11 Win 11–0 Jose Jimenez KO 2 (?) 1978-06-10 Estadio Country Club, San Juan, Puerto Rico
10 Win 10–0 Leopoldo Frias PTS 10 (10) 1978-03-15 Estadio Olimpico, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
9 Win 9–0 Livio Nolasco PTS 10 (10) 1978-02-12 Estadio Country Club, San Juan, Puerto Rico
8 Win 8–0 Felix Villetta KO 6 (10) 1977-12-03 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
7 Win 7–0 Luis Rosario PTS 10 (10) 1977-10-08 Estadio Country Club, San Juan, Puerto Rico
6 Win 6–0 Juan Gomez KO 2 (?) 1976-12-04 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
5 Win 5–0 Jorge Cruz KO 4 (?) 1976-06-04 Cancha Country Club, Caguas, Puerto Rico
4 Win 4–0 Luis Cruz PTS 4 (4) 1976-04-05 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
3 Win 3–0 Juan Rodriguez PTS 4 (4) 1976-03-20 Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico
2 Win 2–0 Ruben Maldonado PTS 4 (4) 1975-12-20 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1 Win 1–0 Ray Negron PTS 4 (4) 1975-11-17 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Later life

In 2010, Solís was injured in a shooting incident.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.famadeportesrp.org/exaltados/perfiles/2014/rafael.html
  2. ^ "A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK AUG. 25-31". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  3. ^ "Julian Solis, Former WBA Champ, Shot in Puerto Rico". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Jorge Madrigal
WBC FECARBOX
bantamweight champion

August 28, 1978 – 1980
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Enrique Sánchez
Vacant
Title last held by
José Cervantes
WBC Continental Americas
super-bantamweight champion

March 29, 1982 – 1983
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Tommy Valoy
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA bantamweight champion
August 29, 1980 – November 14, 1980
Succeeded by
The Ring bantamweight champion
August 29, 1980 – November 14, 1980