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Klitschko fumes after first-round stoppage of Solis

Vitali Klitschko remains undefeated since 2003 © PA Photos

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Vitali Klitschko remains on a collision course with David Haye after stopping Odlanier Solis in the first round of their WBC heavyweight title clash.

Solis crumpled to the canvas after Klitschko landed an overhand right to the head that caused the Cuban's left leg to buckle. He tried to clamber to his feet with the aid of the ropes, but his footing was unsteady as the referee reached the ten count.

After inflicting the first defeat of his opponent's career, an irate Klitschko launched a verbal attack at Solis, who had made a promising start to the bout, with his lateral movement negating the impact of the jab.

"I am so sorry for everyone who wanted to see a long fight, but I hit him pretty hard with the right hand and it was enough," Klitschko said.

Asked if he thought Solis had quit, Klitschko added: "No idea. It will be very interesting to listen to what the doctors say at the medical exam. I know he got a really hard punch, but after that he walked quite a lot. I don't know."

Solis, an Olympic champion, was able to limp out of the arena, having comprehensively failed to become the first Cuban to wear a heavyweight belt.

Klitschko's eighth defence of the WBC title he regained in 2003 takes his record to 42-2 (39 KOs), and leaves him staring at the prospect of a bout with David Haye later this year.

Earlier in the night, Liam Walsh came through a few scares to defend his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against John Kays. Walsh was forced to survive a troublesome spell in the ninth, having been caught flush by a right hook, but he recovered to stop Kays in the tenth with a ferocious body shot.

"He was [tougher than I thought]," Walsh told Sky Sports. "I thought I might have had him out a bit earlier than that. Maybe I got above myself and thought I'd take him out. He caused me a few problems, so fair play to him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.