Chris Arreola
Chris Arreola | |
|---|---|
| File:ChrisArreola.jpg | |
| Born | Chris Arreola March 5, 1981 |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Other names | "Nightmare" |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 28 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Wins by KO | 24 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Chris Arreola (born March 5, 1981 in Los Angeles as Cristobal Arreola) is a US Mexican-American heavyweight boxer once regarded by some as a "prospect", or potential future champion. After his one-sided loss to Vitali Klitschko on September 26, 2009, his future is uncertain.
Amateur career
Arreola grew up in East LA; his father was a boxer and he started boxing at the age of eight. At 16, he had "about 200 amateur bouts" (Max boxing) before losing interest and quitting. At 20 he got back into boxing and after only three months of training managed to win the National Golden Gloves in 2001 as a light-heavyweight against Dallas Vargas who had about 300 amateur fights at the time.
After another hiatus from boxing, this time for two years, he tried to come back for the 2003 Golden Gloves but arrived shortly after the check-in deadline prompting him to turn pro.
Professional Career
In 2003 the Goossen Tutor promoted tattooed 6-foot-1 fighter turned pro at heavyweight with little fanfare. His nickname is "Nightmare." Despite his amateur success, Arreola carried a lackadaisical attitude into the pro ranks. Looking back he says: “I really didn’t know if boxing was going to be my career. I wasn’t sure about turning pro and once I did, I just took it one fight at a time. But then I starting knocking guys out and I gradually started thinking, ‘Hey, maybe I can make some money doing this’.”
At first the offensive-minded Arreola only beat weak opposition but got good sparring in California against Wladimir Klitschko, Hasim Rahman and James Toney. Chris now resides in Riverside, California.
In 2005 he fought Domonic Jenkins who despite his record of only 6-3 held a win over Malcolm Tann (and later KOd amateur stars Victor Bisbal and Carlos Barnett). After trailing for six rounds he turned the fight around and won by KO.
He supposedly then he got his weight under better control, he gradually dropped from 255 lbs down to 230 lbs. In his last four fights, however, he has been tipping the scales at over 250 pounds once again. He came into his last fight, a title fight with Vitali Klitschko on September 26, 2009, at 251 pounds, though he appeared more solid than in previous bouts.
In 2006 he stopped durable clubfighter Sedreck Fields, Cuban southpaw Damian Norris (who later defeated the unbeaten Roderick Willis) and in a match of unbeaten Californian prospects Damian Wills (coming in at 22-0-0-0).
In 2007 he KOd former amateur star Zakeem Graham (11-0). He was scheduled to fight undefeated Olympian Devin Vargas , brother of his amateur foe Dallas Vargas, but knocked out late sub Malcolm Tann when Vargas got injured in training, in May 2007 on ShoBox. He KOd Thomas Hayes (record 27-0-0-0) in September 2007, in round 1.
On June 21, 2008, Arreola faced fellow undefeated prospect Chazz Witherspoon (23-0) and defeated him via disqualifaction. In the third round, Arreola landed a barrage of punches that was capped off by a chopping right that sent Witherspoon to the canvas. The bell rang early in the count, prompting Witherspoon's corner to begin entering the ring. This was ruled by the referee to be a disqualification since the round is not technically over until the count is over. But many, including HBO commentator Max Kellerman, believed that the fight would have been stopped and ruled a TKO regardless.
On November 29, 2008, Arreola faced Travis Walker. During the 1st round Arreola was overwhelmed by Walker's power and was outboxed. Arreola came back late in the 2nd round after nearly being knocked down to his knees; Arreola knocked Walker down twice afterwards, eventually knocking Walker out early in the 3rd round improving Arreola's record to 26-0.
Arreola is currently ranked in the top 10 by all four major governing bodies.[1]
His coach Henry Ramirez is only 28 years old. “I had other trainers but they didn’t fit my style. I’m a banger,” said Arreola remembering that day. “Henry was always giving guys confidence and I liked that.”
Arreola defeated the previously retired heavyweight veteran Jameel McCline (40-8 23 KO's) on April 11 2009, with a knockout at 2:01 of the 4th round. Arreola put McCline down with a combination consisting of an uppercut and right cross, and McCline was out cold. The fight was shown on the undercard of the Paul Williams vs Ronald "Winky" Wright bout on HBO Championship Boxing.
After his win Arreola was the number one contender to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his WBC Heavyweight title belt. The match took place on September 26, 2009 in the Staples Center, Los Angeles. It was broadcast on HBO. Klitschko was a heavy favorite in the days leading up to the fight. The fight had Klitschko dominating Arreola with pawing jabs, hard straight rights and body shots which prevented Arreola from closing the gap. Arreola's corner and the referee stopped the fight before the start of the 11th giving Klitschko a 10th round RTD (T.K.O.) victory. The final scorecards read, 99-91, 99-91, and 100-89, all for Klitschko. The one-sided sustained beating that Arreola received in this fight has caused some former Arreola supporters to state that he has been "exposed", or shown to be a fighter of lesser caliber than once thought.