On Saturday, November 29, undefeated Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola will defend his WBC Continental Americas title against Travis “Freight Train” Walker on the first-ever professional boxing card to be held at the new state-of-the-art Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. The bout is scheduled to air on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” preceding the main event, 2-time WBO Welterweight Champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams vs. 3-time World Champion Verno Phillips.
Following are quotes from Cristobal Arreola and Travis Walker:
CRISTOBAL ARREOLA:
“Travis Walker is a true contender. He didn’t come to my hometown to lay down, I know that I have a fight on my hands.”
“He got under my skin by saying that I have never fought any legitimate heavyweights. Every opponent that I have taken on such as Derek Berry, Thomas Hayes, Cliff Couser, Chazz Witherspoon and Israel Garcia were legit heavyweights and he’s failing to recognize that – and it gave me the incentive to train even harder.”
“I am going to get in the ring and fight my fight. I really don’t have much more to say other than I’m done talking and going to make the rest of my statements in the ring on Saturday night.”
TRAVIS WALKER:
“I am motivated and I have worked my hardest in training camp. As a result, i have the best camp experience ever.”
“The motivation came from me being treated like the underdog. I am done being treated like I am the under dog because in truth, I am not. I am the real deal. You’ll know it too come Saturday.”
“I am standing true to my word – I will be the Champion because I have earned it. I’m gonna be Arreola’s worst nightmare.”
Enzo Maccarinelli ready to rob the Banks
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli says he is “ready to explode” when he takes on Jonathan Banks for the vacant WBO title at the ExCel in London on Saturday 6th December.
The hard hitting Welshman told Setanta Sports News that he was relieved to finally be setting foot inside the ring again.
“I’ve had a long train camp, about 10 months to be exact. I was supposed to box in July, then in September and now we’ve got to December. I’ve been training a long, long time with Joe [Calzaghe], Roy Jones [Junior] and [Bernard] Hopkins.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back in the ring. It doesn’t bother me who’s in the opposite corner, I just need to fight.”
The clash against Banks is Maccarinelli’s first since his defeat against David Haye back in March. And ‘Big Mac’ knows he will have to put in a big performance to win over the doubters.
“It’s not as if I’ve done nothing over the last six, seven months. I’ve kept myself in shape, kept myself fit and I’ve kept my weight right.
“I’m not going to be ring rusty. People are going to question whether I’m going to come out nervous, if I’m going to come out gun shy.
“But I can tell everyone, as soon as that bell sounds I’m going to take control in the centre and throw some bombs.”
OFFICIALS FOR “AT LAST” NOV. 29 ONTARIO, CA BOXING EVENT
Los Angeles, CA (November 27, 2008) – Veteran referee Jon Schorle has been appointed by the California State Athletic Commission and the World Boxing Organization as the third man in the ring for the interim WBO Super Welterweight Championship bout between Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Verno Phillips in the new state of the art Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA on Saturday, November 29.
“At Last” is being presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions. Sponsors include 100 Anos Tequila, The Riverside Press-Enterprise, La Prensa, Doubletree Hotel Ontario Airport and Sisley Italian Kitchen. The Williams-Phillips contest will be the main event of the “HBO: Boxing After Dark” telecast.
Schorle’s resume illustrates that he is no stranger to handling world title fights in California. Included among his assignments were Vitali Klitschko-Corrie Sanders WBC Heavyweight title fight in Los Angeles (4/25/04); the IBF/IBO Flyweight title bout between Vic Darchinyan and Victor Burgos in Carson (3/3/07); the Daniel Ponce de Leon-Rey Bautista WBO Super Bantamweight title contest in Sacramento (8/11/07), the Chad Dawson-Epifanio Mendoza WBC Light heavyweight title battle also in Sacramento (9/29/07) and the Joel Casamayor-Michael Katsidis WBO Interim Lightweight title in Cabazon (3/22/08).
The judges assigned for the scheduled 12-round bout will be Cynthia Ross (Las Vegas), Fritz Werner and Raul Caiz, Sr., both of California.
The California State Athletic Commission, in conjunction with the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the World Boxing Council (WBC), and the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) tabbed veteran Jack Reiss to referee the scheduled 12-round Championship Heavyweight co-feature bout between undefeated local favorite Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola and knockout artist, Travis “Freight Train” Walker. At stake in the IBF Heavyweight Elimination Bout will be Arreola’s WBC Continental Americas title and Walker’s NABF crown.
Judges assigned by the California State Athletic Commission will be Jose Cobian, Max DeLuca and David Denkin.
Tickets for “AT LAST” are priced at: $200, $100, $50 and $25 and may be purchased at Citizens Business Bank Arena box office, Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm or at www.ticketmaster.com.