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Chris Arreola

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Chris Arreola
Arreola in 2011
Born
Cristobal Arreola

(1981-03-05) March 5, 1981 (age 43)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesThe Nightmare
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach76 in (193 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins39
Wins by KO34
Losses7
Draws1
No contests2

Cristobal Arreola (born March 5, 1981) is an American former professional boxer who challenged three times for the WBC heavyweight title. He was ranked by BoxRec as the world's No.8 heavyweight at the conclusion of 2007 and as No.7 heavyweight from 2008 to 2010.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Arreola was born in Los Angeles, California to Mexican parents. As a child he met boxer Julio César Chávez a couple of times. Arreola said of it "I had a chance to go to his house in Culiacán because my father was from near there and my aunt lived in Culiacan. I used to go and watch him train.".[2]

Amateur career

[edit]

Arreola grew up in East Los Angeles. His father was a boxer and started him boxing at the age of eight with trainer Hector Rodríguez. At 16, he had "about 200 amateur bouts" before losing interest and quitting. In 2001 at 20 he got back into boxing and after only three months of training managed to win the National Golden Gloves at the Light Heavyweight division. To win, Chris beat Dallas Vargas, who had about 300 amateur fights at the time.[3]

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.[4]

Professional career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

In 2003, Goossen-Tutor promoted him and turned him pro at heavyweight with little fanfare. 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'."[5]

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.[citation needed]

In 2006, he stopped Sedreck Fields, Cuban 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).[citation needed]

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 KO'd 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.

On November 29, 2008, Arreola faced Travis Walker and knocked him out early in the 3rd round, improving Arreola's record to 26–0.

By June 2008, Arreola was ranked in the top 10 by all four major governing bodies.[6]

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 vs. Klitschko

[edit]

After his win, Arreola was the number one contender to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his WBC Heavyweight title belt.[7] Arreola was happy with his draw when it was announced they would fight in Arreola's home town.[8] The match took place on September 26, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was broadcast on HBO. Arreola's corner and the referee stopped the fight before the start of the 11th round, giving Klitschko a 10th-round RTD (TKO) victory. The final scorecards read 99–91, 99–91, and 100–89, all for Klitschko.[9]

Rebuild after first unsuccessful WBC title challenge

[edit]

Soon after his first career loss, Arreola fought Brian Minto as an undercard for the Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martínez fight. Chris landed well with his straight right hand and eventually floored Minto in the 4th round; Minto got up at 8 and continued to get hit with right hands before being dropped again. The referee stopped the fight when Minto rose at 9 and appeared to be in no condition to proceed with the fight.[10]

Arreola lost his next fight, to former two-division world champion Tomasz Adamek, by majority decision on 24 April 2010. Arreola was again looking out of shape for a professional boxer at the time of the fight.[11]

Arreola in his next fight defeated Manuel Quezada in Ontario, California by a 12-round unanimous decision. Quezada was down three times in the fight: twice in the 9th round and once in the 12th. The scores (117–108) and two judges had it (118–107). Before the fight Arreola had an interview on ESPN saying that his last two defeats were because he did not train well (as well as skipping days) and stepped into the training camp weighing nearly 300 pounds. He said that he now knew how to prepare for a fight, and realizes he needs to take the training camp seriously. He came in at 256 pounds (he fought the best at 230–240, and lost his previous two weighing over 250 pounds) and fought sluggishly against a tough opponent. At the end of the fight, Arreola said he gave himself a C− for overall performance.[12]

After his knockout over American Joey Abell on ESPN,[13] Arreola took out title contender Nagy Aguilera in the third round. This bout was televised on Showtime's Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham undercard.[14] Thirteen days after the fight with Aguilera, Cristobal knocked out tough veteran Kendrick Releford in the seventh round, as the main-event on ESPN.[15][16] He has since then won by a 10-round unanimous decision against Friday Ahunanya on July 9, and a third-round TKO over Raphael Butler on November 5, 2011, in Guanajuato Domo De La Feria, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Arreola's next fight was on the Paul Williams vs. Nobuhiro Ishida undercard at the American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 18, 2012. The opponent was heavyweight contender Éric Molina. Arreola won the fight by first-round KO. [17] After the knockout, Arreola created some stir in the post fight interview when he referred to Molina's promoter Don King as a "f—ing a–hole and a racist," prompting Showtime's Jim Gray to immediately terminate the interview. "Honestly Don King called me a wetback, and other Mexicans," Arreola told Fightnews.com. "That's a strong word. It's like me dropping N bombs. You don't say things like that."[18]

Arreola vs. Stiverne I and II

[edit]

Arreola had a chance at a rematch with Vitali Klitschko in April 2013 when he faced Bermane Stiverne. Although a favorite to win the fight, Arreola was knocked down in the third round and wound up losing a unanimous decision.[19]

On September 7, 2013, Arreola beat Seth Mitchell in a single round.[20]

After Klitschko vacated the title in December 2013, Arreola was signed to fight Bermane Stiverne for the vacant title. On May 10, 2014, Stiverne won the title after a sixth-round knockout.[21]

Rebuild after second unsuccessful WBC title challenge

[edit]

On March 13, 2015, Arreola made his return to the ring to face heavyweight Curtis Harper. The fight took place during the first Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV broadcast at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Arreola was awarded a victory by unanimous decision following 8 rounds of boxing.[22]

On July 18, 2015, Arreola fought to a ten-round draw with Fred Kassi. The scores were 96–94 for Arreola, 95–95 on the remaining two cards.

Arreola's tight 12-round split decision victory over Travis Kauffman on Dec. 12 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio was changed to a no-decision on Jan. 5, after Arreola tested positive for marijuana.[23]

Arreola vs. Wilder

[edit]

Arreola made his third challenge for the WBC heavyweight title when he travelled to Birmingham, Alabama on July 16, 2016, to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Wilder eventually won by 8th round retirement to retain his title.[24]

Arreola vs. Kownacki

[edit]

After two consecutive wins following his loss to Deontay Wilder, Arreola faced the unbeaten Adam Kownacki in a thrilling fight on August 3, 2019. The two men put on a record-breaking heavyweight display at the Barclays Center, New York, combining to throw over 2100 punches over 12 rounds. Kownacki won a unanimous decision to give Arreola his sixth career loss, with scores of 118–110, 117–111, 117–111.[25]

Arreola vs. Ruiz Jr.

[edit]

Following Arreola's loss to Adam Kownacki, he next returned to the ring over a year later on May 1, 2021 to face former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. on Fox PPV. Ruiz Jr was ranked #6 by The Ring, #4 by the WBC and #5 by the WBA and WBO.[26] Arreola started well and scored a second round knockdown, but ultimately lost a unanimous decision, with scores of 117–110, 118–109, 118–109.[27]

Arreola was very unhappy with the judges' scorecards, which he expressed in his post-fight interview: "Did he [Ruiz] win? Fine. But don't tell me you're only going to give me two or three rounds. Fuck that! I'm gonna be like Dr. Dre, all y'all can suck my motherfuckin' dick!"[28] In the post-fight press conference, he proceeded to repeat his displeasure with the judges: "These motherfuckers just straight up like fucking raped me, and don't even kiss me dude, that's some fucked up ass shit."[29]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
49 fights 39 wins 7 losses
By knockout 34 3
By decision 3 4
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 1
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
49 Win 39–7–1 (2) Matthew McKinney KO 2 (8), 1:01 Apr 8, 2023 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
48 Loss 38–7–1 (2) Andy Ruiz Jr. UD 12 May 1, 2021 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
47 Loss 38–6–1 (2) Adam Kownacki UD 12 Aug 3, 2019 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 38–5–1 (2) Jean-Pierre Augustin TKO 3 (10), 2:03 Mar 16, 2019 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S.
45 Win 37–5–1 (2) Maurenzo Smith RTD 6 (8), 3:00 Dec 1, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
44 Loss 36–5–1 (2) Deontay Wilder RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Jul 16, 2016 Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. For WBC heavyweight title
43 NC 36–4–1 (2) Travis Kauffman SD 12 Dec 12, 2015 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Originally an SD win for Arreola, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
42 Draw 36–4–1 (1) Fred Kassi MD 10 Jul 18, 2015 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
41 Win 36–4 (1) Curtis Harper UD 8 Mar 13, 2015 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
40 Loss 35–4 (1) Bermane Stiverne TKO 6 (12), 2:02 May 10, 2014 Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For vacant WBC heavyweight title
39 Win 35–3 (1) Seth Mitchell KO 1 (12), 2:26 Sep 7, 2013 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Won WBC International heavyweight title
38 Loss 34–3 (1) Bermane Stiverne UD 12 Apr 27, 2013 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. For WBC Silver heavyweight title
37 Win 34–2 (1) Éric Molina KO 1 (12), 2:30 Feb 18, 2012 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. Won WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
36 Win 33–2 (1) Raphael Butler TKO 3 (10), 0:55 Nov 5, 2011 Domo de la Feria, León, Mexico
35 NC 32–2 (1) Friday Ahunanya UD 10 Jul 9, 2011 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Originally a UD win for Arreola, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
34 Win 32–2 Kendrick Releford TKO 7 (10), 2:43 May 27, 2011 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
33 Win 31–2 Nagy Aguilera TKO 3 (10), 1:58 May 14, 2011 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
32 Win 30–2 Joey Abell TKO 1 (10), 2:18 Jan 28, 2011 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
31 Win 29–2 Manuel Quezada UD 12 Aug 13, 2010 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. Won WBC FECOMBOX heavyweight title
30 Loss 28–2 Tomasz Adamek MD 12 Apr 24, 2010 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. For IBF International and vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight titles
29 Win 28–1 Brian Minto TKO 4 (10), 2:40 Dec 5, 2009 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Loss 27–1 Vitali Klitschko RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Sep 26, 2009 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For WBC heavyweight title
27 Win 27–0 Jameel McCline KO 4 (12), 2:01 Apr 11, 2009 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas and NABF heavyweight titles
26 Win 26–0 Travis Walker TKO 3 (12), 0:13 Nov 29, 2008 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title;
Won NABF heavyweight title
25 Win 25–0 Israel Garcia TKO 3 (10), 1:11 Sep 25, 2008 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0 Chazz Witherspoon DQ 3 (12), 3:00 Jun 21, 2008 FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title;
Witherspoon disqualified after his cornermen entered the ring too early
23 Win 23–0 Cliff Couser TKO 1 (10), 1:22 Feb 9, 2008 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Thomas Hayes KO 3 (10), 1:45 Sep 21, 2007 DoubleTree, Ontario, California, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Derek Berry KO 1 (10), 0:57 Jul 14, 2007 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Malcolm Tann TKO 8 (8), 1:07 May 4, 2007 Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Zakeem Graham TKO 3 (10), 2:42 Feb 9, 2007 Suffolk County Community College, Brookhaven, New York, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Damian Wills TKO 7 (10), 2:17 Nov 4, 2006 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Damian Norris TKO 4 (8), 2:59 Aug 19, 2006 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Sedreck Fields KO 7 (8), 1:41 May 25, 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Manuel Ossie KO 1 (6), 1:33 Apr 12, 2006 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Curtis Taylor KO 1 (6), 2:28 Mar 3, 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Domonic Jenkins TKO 5 (8), 2:38 Oct 21, 2005 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Andrew Greeley UD 6 Sep 23, 2005 USC Lyon Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Kenny Lemos TKO 4 (4), 1:49 May 5, 2005 Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Samuel Rodríguez TKO 4 (6), 1:26 Feb 17, 2005 Avalon, Hollywood, California, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 David Cleage DQ 3 (4) Jan 21, 2005 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Cleage disqualified for repeated fouls
8 Win 8–0 Benjamin García TKO 1 (6), 0:21 Dec 9, 2004 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Ed Mosley TKO 1 (4), 0:59 Dec 20, 2004 Omega International, Corona, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 David Johnson TKO 1 (4) Apr 26, 2004 DoubleTree, Ontario, California, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jason Condon KO 1 (4), 2:33 Mar 22, 2004 DoubleTree, Ontario, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Semisi Bloomfield TKO 1 (4), 2:40 Feb 16, 2004 DoubleTree, Ontario, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 David Johnson KO 2 (4), 1:21 Nov 10, 2003 DoubleTree, Ontario, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Jeremiah Constant TKO 1 (4), 0:27 Oct 03, 2003 Edgewater Hotel and Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Roosevelt Parker TKO 2 (4), 1:25 Sep 5, 2003 Edgewater Hotel and Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BoxRec's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight Annuals". BoxRec. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Goossen Tutor". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  3. ^ "News - Chris Arreola: A Nightmare's Dream Reborn". Max Boxing. 2010-04-24. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  4. ^ "Wladimir Klitschko is Pretty Nervous - Vitali faces Chris Arreola". Doghouseboxing.com. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  5. ^ Kelley, Fred. "Mike Tyson and 10 of the Craziest Boxers in the Sport". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  6. ^ "Morales: Nightmare creeping up on shot at heavyweight title". 18 June 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola fight preview - Bryan Armen Graham - SI.com". Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  8. ^ "Vitali Klitschko To Defend WBC Heavyweight Title Against Unbeaten Cristobal Arreola". BoxingInsider.com. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 2016-08-07.
  9. ^ "Klitschko stops Arreola, retains title". Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  10. ^ "Cris Arreola takes out Brian Minto in thrilling affair". ESPN. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  11. ^ "Boxing Notebook: Cris Arreola, Tomasz Adamek out to make history". ESPN. 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  12. ^ "Quezada-Arreola clash August 13 | Boxing News". Fightnews. 2010-07-12. Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  13. ^ "Chris Arreola Crushes Joey Abell in The First Round - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  14. ^ "Max Boxing - Main Lead - Chris Arreola - A Force to be Reckoned with". Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  15. ^ "Sub Lead - Arreola makes a quick return to the ring". Max Boxing. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  16. ^ "Max Boxing - Featured Articles - Don't Cry for Him, Riverside: Arreola Stops Releford". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  17. ^ "Chris Arreola". BoxRec. 1981-03-05. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  18. ^ "Arreola explains Don King racism allegations | Boxing News". Fightnews. 2012-02-27. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  19. ^ "Bermane Stiverne outpoints Chris Arreola in heavyweight upset". ESPN. 2013-04-27. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  20. ^ "Cris Arreola stops Seth Mitchell in 1st round". ESPN. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  21. ^ "Bermane Stiverne drops Chris Arreola, wins heavyweight world title". ESPN. 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  22. ^ "Arreola vs Harper Results & Highlights - Mar 13, 2015". Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  23. ^ "Chris Arreola's win over Travis Kauffman voided for marijuana in drug test". ESPN. 2016-02-09. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  24. ^ Alabama, Associated Press in Birmingham (2016-07-17). "Deontay Wilder stops Chris Arreola to retain WBC heavyweight title". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  25. ^ "Adam Kownacki outpoints Chris Arreola in record-breaking heavyweight slugfest". CBSSports.com. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  26. ^ "Ruiz Jr vs Arreola - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  27. ^ "Andy Ruiz Jr. rallies from knockdown to get unanimous decision over Chris Arreola | DAZN News US". DAZN. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  28. ^ Christ, Scott (2021-05-02). "Results and highlights: Andy Ruiz Jr wins decision over Chris Arreola". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  29. ^ YouTube.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Arthur Palac 		U.S. Golden Gloves
light heavyweight champion
2001 		Next:
Allan Green
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Thompson 		WBC Continental Americas
heavyweight champion
September 21, 2007 – September 26, 2009
Failed to win world title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Chauncy Welliver
Preceded by NABF heavyweight champion
November 29, 2008 – September 2009
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Johnathon Banks
Vacant
Title last held by
Humberto Soto 		WBC FECOMBOX
heavyweight champion
August 13, 2010 – June 2011
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
David Rodriguez
Preceded by WBC–USNBC
heavyweight champion
February 18, 2012 – September 2012
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Magomed Abdusalamov
Vacant
Title last held by
Seth Mitchell 		WBC International
heavyweight champion
September 7, 2013 – March 2014
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Tony Thompson
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