Chris Arreola KO's Eric Molina in 1st Round

Chris Arreola stopped Eric Molina last night on the undercard of Paul Williams vs Nobuhiro Ishida at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was actually a good victory for Arreola, and he was giving a fine interview up until the final few seconds. I think it's safe to say he won't be showing up on any of Don King's productions anytime soon, unless there's some real money to be made. No one can accuse Arreola of being a liar.

The Last Word On Arreola From Borges: "The Guy Can't Fight"

The writer wasn't impressed by Arreola's ability to withstand punishment or all that much by his tears postfight. He calls out the fighter and his team for match and the result.

by Ron Borges

Cristobal Arreola’s tears following the one-sided beating he absorbed from Vitali Klitchko last weekend were real but what was he crying about? He blew his chance long before the first bell rang.

These days the public is easily fooled by public displays of remorse, apologies which are really no more than public relations stunts or reactions to having finally been exposed than for really seeing the error of their ways. Cris Arreola seemed another in that growing list.

On the biggest night of his life, Arreola arrived at the arena fat and out of shape. Perhaps for him he was svelte, considering his past, but even at the weigh-in he joked about one of the most revealing things about him. When Arreola first weighed 271 there was little shock in the room but he removed his shirt to expose a weight belt he was wearing.

To him conditioning has always been a joke and so it remained. His chest was loose, his sides flabby and his skills non-existent. If you think the former is not revealing of why the latter is a fact than you are not paying much attention to things.

Arreola said in a pre-fight interview that he fought hard, worked hard and played hard. Two out of three isn’t bad unless you want to be heavyweight champion. Cris Arreola not only doesn’t work hard at his craft he doesn’t even know what that means, which is not all his own fault.

If on the biggest night of your professional career, you cannot see fit to work hard enough to be in the best of physical condition what chance do you think there is that he’s working on his footwork in the living room while friends, family and, most importantly, opponents sleep?

Arreola came off as a guy who thinks he has the right to overeat and over drink because he parties as hard as he fights. Well, if last Saturday night was an example of how hard he fights and he brings that to the dinner table or the bar room he should be Juan Manuel Lopez’s size by his next fight.

He didn’t fight hard nor did he fight well. He took punches in the face, which is neither of those things. There is an old saying in boxing that some guys are “game quitters.’’ What it means is they are willing to absorb punishment but not willing to do all they can to win.

If after a long amateur career and 27 professional fights what Arreola showed Saturday night is the sum total of his mastery of boxing than it’s time to look for a job in the Post Office. The guy can’t fight. Frankly, neither can Vitali Klitschko but what he can and does do is physically prepare himself as perfectly as he can and then use the advantages of size and limited athleticism to the best of his ability.

Were Klitschko in the ring with someone like Joe Frazier last Saturday night, Frazier would have slipped under one or more of those pawing punches that pass for a jab, and launched a left hook into his squash that would have knocked him out for a 20-count. Arreola couldn’t even catch up with him let alone hit him and this is against a guy who backs straight up in retreat, his hands down by his pockets.

Arreola was in dreadful physical condition but more importantly he was someone who couldn’t possibly have put in enough hours to master the craft of boxing because if you won’t run hard or do enough sit-ups and other conditioning to at least look as fit as Riddick Bowe in his prime don’t tell me about how hard you’ve been working on your boxing skills.

Bernard Hopkins spoke to this point a week before the fight, lumping Arreola in with so many other young fighters who are pushed along by managers and promoters into fights they are ill prepared for. They are aided and abetted in committing a fraud upon the public and, worse, themselves by trainers who either don’t know how to teach a young fighter or have no interest in risking their employment by making clear to him he isn’t working had enough nor learning fast enough to compete at boxing’s most intense levels.

So, again, what was he crying about? Most observers felt these were tears of remorse for having failed in his effort after long years of working to reach this moment. Well, had he worked as hard as he could that would be both noble and understandable.

But take one hard look at Arreola not through the rose-colored glasses of his supporters or media advocates who should have known better but through the hard eyes of one who goes by what he sees not what he wishes. Cristobal Arreola may be a hale fellow but he is not a student of boxing.

He refused to put in the time to train his body adequately to look like a heavyweight but far more importantly the larger message is he didn’t put in the time to learn his trade. Boxing is a difficult work place, arguably the most difficult and demanding in sports. Even its greatest practitioners eventually pay a price of pain and loss. But if they have done all they can there’s nothing really to cry about except, perhaps, lost opportunity.

There was no shame in Cristobal Arreola’s tears. They at least show on the night of the fight he cared. The shame is that he didn’t care enough when it counted most, which was in the long months and years that led him to the Staples Center in Los Angeles and an appointment with someone who is not a great heavyweight by any measure but who is a professional.

This day and age, that alone can win you a lot of fights, especially in the heavyweight division.

Courtesy: thesweetscience.com

Vitali Klitschko and Chris Arreola Post fight Interview

Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola

By Randy De La O

Last night's heavyweight fight, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, between Vitali Klitschko and Chris Arreola was even more one sided than Mayweather vs Marquez, and like Juan Manuel Marquez, Chris Arreola showed a strong chin and a big heart but it just did not make a difference. Arreola fought a better fighter last night and there is no shame in that.

From the onset Klitschko used his long jab followed by the right hand and his awkward but effective right uppercut. Arreola didn't have a clue on how to get inside. Klitschko's side to side movement kept Arreola off balance and unable to get off a clean shot. He also kept Arreola at range and that sums up the whole fight. There were no dramatic rallies nor were there any surprises here. Kudos to Klitschko for sticking to his own game plan.

Let me say this though, If I wasn't a fan of Arreola before this fight (in all honesty I was lukewarm at best) I am now but I am more a fan of Arreola the man more so than Arreola the fighter. He showed grit last night. I don't know if Arreola will ever be good enough to beat Klischko or any other champion, that will be up to him and how he decides to tackle the rest of his career.

During an interview prior to the fight Arreola said this "If Michael Phelps can smoke why can't I drink?" I couldn't help remarking to my wife Jeri that "He'll find out why tonight" I hope for his sake he got the message. There was another Chicano heavyweight that fought back in the 70's and 80's - Eddie "Animal" Lopez that loved his beer and he threw away his career. Forget the beer Chris, you can live without it. If you ever want to be the best you will have to become Spartan in your lifestyle. Arreola learned a valuable lesson in humility last night and it's my belief that it will make him a better fighter than he was before he stepped into the ring with Klitschko.

So why am I a fan of Arreola now that he has lost? Because of all the qualities that I admire most in a fighter, A big heart stands heads and shoulder above the rest. When all is said and done - win, lose or draw - it is the heart we remember when years later we look back at a fighters career. It's what touches us. It gets inside of us. When a man stops fighting in the ring it's his heart that will carry him through whatever he faces next. Arreola wept openly last night feeling as if he disappointed all his Mexican and Mexican American fans. He needn't worry. We know he didn't quit. It's my guess that he has more fans today than he did yesterday.

Vitali Klitschko - Chris Arreola Weigh In

Video Courtesy of Fighthype.com and Fighthype's Youtube Page

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and challenger Chris Arreola weigh in for tomorrow's fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

CHRIS ARREOLA'S "STRENGTH & CONDITIONING" PLAN

Via Bill O'Neill

May 20, 2009
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CRISTOBAL ARREOLA
By Ryan Burton
BoxingTalk's Ryan Burton speaks to heavyweight contender Cristobal "The Nightmare" Arreola.

Ryan Burton: What is new with you?

Cristobal Arreola: I just signed Darrell Hudson to be my strength and conditioning coach yesterday. I found out my next fight is going to be in September. Exact date don't know. Exact person don't know. Who ever it is I know its in September and I don't really care who it is against. I just know I will be ready.

RB: What made you and your team decide to hire a strength and conditioning coach and what made you decide on hiring Darrell Hudson?

CA: We asked a lot of people on who they would recommend and his name came up a lot. He is a great trainer. He has a great track record.

RB: Were there any concerns at all about the allegations surrounding him with Shane Mosley and the steroid scandal?

CA: Not at all. He is going to give me the same steroids that Shane took (laughing). Nah man I am not worried about that man. You can't go off of stuff like that. We are behind that stuff. What ever happened happened. Shane is his own man what ever he took he knew.

RB: You said you are fighting in September but you don't know who against. Do you have an exact date and venue?

CA: No I have no idea. Mr. Goosen told me the fight would be sometime in September and be in California so I am looking forward to this. I am going to working with Darrell. Right now I am not worried about who I am going to fight. I am concentrating about getting in shape and how I look going into the fight. A lot of people are saying Vitali Klitschko but I am concentrating on being ready.

RB: Does Darrell Hudson have a target weight for you?

CA: The thing is we don't have a target weight. We want to go in better shape. I am going to do conditioning. The thing is I am a fat boy. I may look like crap with my shirt off but I am ready to go.

RB: I have seen heavier guys have more energy than thinner guys before. It seems like metabolism has a lot to do with it. Do you just want to go in the healthiest and most in shape Chris Arreola you can be?

CA: Exactly. It seems with me they don't judge me by how I win or how I do. They judge me by how I look. I keep winning.

RB: By bringing in Darrell Hudson now and your fight not till September this is basically giving you all summer to get in shape. Was that the plan?

CA: Yeah I want to be able to walk around without my shirt this summer! (Laughing)

RB: What are your thoughts on the Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye fight?


CA: You know I am happy for Haye he got that fight. He really doesn't deserve it. He beat a guy (Monte Barrett) who is now considered a journeyman. That is all he has done at that weight. He was able to talk his into that fight. It should be a good fight.

RB: Do you have a prediction for that fight?

CA: I believe that Vladimir Klitschko beats him within 8-10 rounds.

RB: You were ringside for the Andre Ward vs Edison Miranda fight. What did you think of that fight?

CA: Great fight man. You know Andre boxed well. I thought Miranda had him hurt a couple times but Andre was able to stick to his game plan. Andre fought a great fight.

RB: You have 4 months till you fight. Hudson will get his chance to put his stamp on you What is the reasoning behind that?

CA: I just signed him yesterday. I don't versus bringing him in during an 8 week training camp. I don't want to go at this half ass. I want to be in shape and be ready to spar 7-8 rounds before training camp.

RB: The fact that you hired a strength and conditioning coach now and the fact that you hired him so early is screaming that you are going to be fighting a Klitschko. You know its my job to keep asking about that.

CA: You know what, in my mind I will be honest with you, I don't really care about that. I just care about getting ready for that September date against whoever. I just want to get rid of some of this fat and be in the best possible shape I can be in.

RB: It would be nice for an American heavyweight to create a buzz that we haven't had since Evander Holyfield's hey day. Even thought he is British we haven't had a buzz since Lennox Lewis either.

CA: You know what I am going to do it for fat people every where (laughing). Seriously, a lot of people didn't appreciate Lennox. Now tht he is gone people are missing him. Now they wish he was back.

RB: Do you have a message for the fans?

CA: Come September man, you are going to see a new Chris Arreola in shape. You will see the same old fight and the same fighter but I will shed some pounds. I just can't wait for the fight.

RB: I will give you a ring in another month or so to see how your conditioning is going.

CA: Thanks. I appreciate it Ryan.

An Interview With Chris Arreola (HBO)

RIVERSIDE HEAVYWEIGHT CHRIS ARREOLA

An email from my friend, former sports writer Bill O'Neill,

I visited Chris Arreola's training camp at Indian Willie's Gym in Riverside Wednesday afternoon. While Chris does not seem particularly inspired about his next assignment--taking on the giant Jameel McCline at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in a bout that will be televised live on HBO on April 11--he is viewing it as another step toward a shot at the heavyweight title, and is rounding into shape.

Chris has won all of his 26 fights as a pro, scoring 23 knockouts. He lives here in Riverside; and in spite of his intimidating appearance and somewhat irregular training habits, he is a very decent, friendly, soft-spoken young man. If he becomes champion of the world (as I think he will), he will become an immediate media sensation--and the best representative our sport has had since Joe Louis.

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Chris Arreola

I have visited heavyweight contender Chris Arreola's training camp in the piney woods outside the mountain community of Big Bear (elevation:  about 5,500 feet) three times in the past three weeks.  I'm happy to report that Chris is working very hard, looking strong, in preparation for his Nov. 29 HBO bout with Travis Walker.  There are unconfirmed reports that if Chris passes this test impressively, his next bout will be against one of the giant Klitschko brothers of the Ukraine, holders of two of the four or five splintered versions of the world heavyweight boxing title.

Yes, it's a bleedin' shame that the title is so fragmented.  But that isn't Chris's fault.  He will fight whoever they put in front of him--and, in my humble, slightly biased Southern Opinion--knock 'em all out.   Right now, he is still a comparative Unknown, even here in his home town.  But if he racks up just a couple or three more wins, he COULD become one of the most famous, most acclaimed sports stars in the world.
I am privileged to have been the only "outsider" in the Arreola training camp.  And, of course, I am there strictly as a low-profile observer and "friend of the family."  My good friend "Indian Willie" Schunke, Arreola's assistant trainer, cut man, and hand-wrapping specialist, has allowed me to tag along with him on visits to the secluded camp.  They want no cameras, no microphones, no media people--and probably, most of all, none of Chris's beer-drinking buddies.  Right now, it's all business.  There will be plenty of time for partying, once that business is completed.

For the uninitiated:  Chris is Mexican-American, born in East L.A. and raised primarily in Riverside.  He is six-four, 240, heavily muscled, heavily tattooed, mean-looking, but very much a "gentle giant"--until the bell rings.  He is extremely intelligent and quite articulate, and welcomes the opportunity to become a role model.  My friend Jackie Hayden has dubbed him the "Mexican Rocky Marciano"--and I will second that endorsement.

Of course, a professional boxer is always "only as good as his last fight."  And Travis Walker, every bit as big and confident as Arreola and with a record of 28 wins against one loss and one draw, could send us back to Square One in a hell of a hurry.  But I don't think so.  Chris has no intention of losing to him--or to anyone else, ever.

So tune in to HBO on the night of Saturday, Nov. 29, and decide for yourself whether Chris Arreola is, indeed, the Next Great Heavyweight.  If he ends up on his backside--you are free to question my credentials as a judge of fistic talent.
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Chris Arreola Update by Bill O'Neill

HEAVYWEIGHT CHRIS ARREOLA IN ACTION THURSDAY, SEPT. 25

Chris Arreola of Riverside, the guy I'm touting as the future heavyweight champion of the world, will be in action (assuming the fight isn't canceled) Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Soboba Casino near San Jacinto.  The bout will be televised live on the Versus cable channel at 9 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. California time.  The opponent is a big fellow from New York named Israel "King Kong" Garcia, whose pro record is 19 wins, one loss.

 

Unfortunately, Chris appears to be very much overweight and has NOT been training seriously for this "tune-up" bout--apparently taking it for granted that he will be able to put the guy away early.  (I've no idea what's going on in his head;  he is just a couple of knockout wins away from million-dollar purses, and shouldn't be taking chances against ANYBODY by entering the ring in less than prime condition.)

 

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