By Edward Chaykovsky

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has issued an official statement on Saturday's first round knockout of previously undefeated Odlanier Solis. After being hit with a right hand, Solis stumbled and fell flat on his back. During the fall he injured his right knee and was unable to continue with the fight. Solis and his promoter, Ahmet Oner, are citing the injury as the reason for the stoppage. Klitschko has a different opinion. He believes the punch he landed had Solis out on his feet and because of that he stumbled down.

"I was inside the ring and I saw many, many times on video - the fight, and there is only one clear answer. I prepared the punch, half hook/half uppercut. I prepared this punch and I feel that I hit him pretty hard. Solis was knocked out, what happened after that, where he breaks his ligaments or his knee - it's his problem. I'm sorry the fight was so short. The next fight, I promise not to hit my opponent for the first three rounds, and then I'll knock him out. With Solis there are no excuses, this was a knockout punch," Klitschko said.