Can Arreola Beat Wladimir?
January 4th, 2009
By Chris Williams: Not too many people are giving heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (26-0, 23 KOs) much of a chance at beating IBF/WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) in their rumored bout for the Spring, but unlike some of them, I think that Arreola has a very real chance at beating the 32-year-old Klitschko. Of course, Arreola’s only hope is to try cutting off real estate on Wladimir and force him into a fight rather than allowing him to jab at a distance.
The good thing that Arreola has going for him is that he always turns his fight into a series of battles, rarely letting his opponents stay on the outside and jab away at him. This is exactly what happened in Arreola’s fight with Chazz Witherspoon in June 2008, a bout in which the 6’4” Witherspoon attempted to use his reach and boxing ability to jab Arreola from the outside and keep him at a distance.
Witherspoon uses the same jab-left hook and right hand combination that Wladimir likes to use in his fights, and likes to keep things at a distance where he can take advantage of his size advantage. Against Arreola, though, Witherspoon was neutralized almost immediately, unable to jab or get distance from the constantly mauling Arreola.
Without the ability to get space, Witherspoon was helpless to fend off the big shots from Arreola at close range and was punished unmercifully for three rounds, ending with two knockdowns in the 3rd. I see the same thing happening with Wladimir, the same kind of fighter that likes to keep things on the outside rather than in close.
In fact, Wladimir is a poor fighter on the inside, unskilled at throwing an uppercut or hooks at that distance. Unlike other tall fighters like Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe, both of whom had a great uppercut that they could throw with either hand when shorter fighters pressured them at close range, Wladimir only is able to clinch.
That’s worked for him during the course of his career because he’s not faced any talented pressure fighters except for Ross Puritty, Lamon Brewster and Corrie Sanders, all of who have wins over Wladimir. I think we’ll be seeing another loss for him if he decides on fighting Arreola.
Forget about Arreola’s lack of professional experience, he’s got a ton of amateur experience, even more than Wladimir, which makes him more than ready for a fight with the big Ukrainian. What this fight will end boiling down to is the American style of fighting, which includes a lot of in fighting, going up against a stand up European style, known for throwing a lot of jabs, staying on the outside and not doing well at the inside aspect of fighting. With Arreola dictating how the fight will be fought, Wladimir will be way in over his head in this fight and will lose badly.
Tags: 16 Responses to “Can Arreola Beat Wladimir?”
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lol i’m talking about the fact that haye is a proven 3 time world champion and he has both the speed and boxing ability to get inside wlad klitschko’s defense whereas arreola doesnt thats what makes him a contender. and correct me if i’m wrong but dint arreola sprawl around on the canvas in his last fight.
this website seems to be very big on slagging off david haye. but it seems to me that hes doing all the right things who’s getting more press attention him or arreola, and if he’s such a nobody who’s gonna get ko’d why does this website write about him so much. i think some americans are just a bit bitter that we’ve got an actual contender whereas all they’ve got is arreola lol.
Yes Mark E,i rubbish(whatever that means) fighters cause their not American.That’s a load of crap considering i’ve said numerous times that we really don’t have alot of talent in boxing at the moment.And the klitschko’s are Ukrainian,not American.They are my favorite boxers by far.
Dont get me wrong Adams a prick (yeah yeah im a hypocrite but has to be said) the “inch from death” comment was a stupid one regardless of opinions.
Haye is way more intelligent than some of these ‘critics’ would believe. The same can be said of the Klitchkos – i think the whole Klitchko saga is full of boxing politics. Haye isnt the loudmouth idiot these people say he is, he has a brain and will do what it takes to get to the top. Theres no way he’ll go into this fight blind, he’ll do his homework, Adam Booth will have him well prepared and what happens on the night is anyones guess. I say lets just stop the childish “Im a fat lanky b*stard” trash talk (yes you Adam) and let the boxing do the talking!
lets face it people arreola may have power in that flabby form of his, and yes wlad does have a questionable chin and may go down if arreola can catch him clean. but the fact of the matter is that he’s not going to be able to do that because hes too slow and just doesnt have the boxing ability to get inside of klitschko’s reach to be able to catch him. if arreola was from any other country he would be written off but no he’s an american (/mexican) so he’s going to win.
‘now,now we all know lewis got lucky and retired two months later(smart) cuz he woulda got his ass handed to him in the rematch.’ Vitali’s face begged to differ, he could barely see out of his left eye and its a fight first and foremost, points don’t count if you don’t make 12 rounds.
‘the klitschko bros. are a step or two above any other heavyweights this planet has ever seen lets face it boxing has
evolved.’ I like Vitali and think he would be a force in any period if he stayed injury free but who has he beat? Danny Williams?
Wlad is like a modern day Bruno, glass jawed and not agressive enough often looking like he’s scared to death in the ring. He has been made to look good by the worst heavyweight division ever on account that theres noone else to take advantage of his many flaws.
He is a very good but not a great fighter and wouldn’t be champion in any time other period. Even big Frank would be a top heavyweight in todays division. Apart from the Klitschko’s & Haye it’s full of fat slobs.
arreola will KO wladimir in the 2nd or 3d round… go go arreola
Adam, what will you do if Haye beats Vitali?
Yes Arreola has a chance of winning this fight, will he? probably not. He has the chin to take some punishment and will get it whether he has the skill to punch through the guard that Vlad puts up that remains to be seen. Good luck to them both it makes for an exciting fight.
I remember when everybody was saying Tyson was unbeatable then got done in by Buster Douglas. A huge shock but it just proves that anything is possible.
The Klitckos are the dominant force by a clear mile. But anything can happen espeacially in the heavys.
now,now we all know lewis got lucky and retired two months later(smart) cuz he woulda got his ass handed to him in the rematch. racist means your proud of who you are, the klitschko bros. are a step or two above any other heavyweights this planet has ever seen lets face it boxing has
evolved. all good h.w have made mistakes ALL!!!
aint nobody beating the K brothers though nobody!!
LMFAO!!!Mark E your a complete moron.The British are not a race you idiot,their a nationality.And yes i realize that i am calling your British fighters useless and i also realize that im calling 1 of the 2 American prospects useless.We have an up and comer named Kevin Johnson,but he would never stand a chance against a Klitschko.Kinda just like any British Heavyweight.Honesty is a SOB isn’t it.
even if he lands a good punch and stops wladimir he would have to fight the iron chinned vitali, whose never lost on points
‘Can Arreola Beat Wladimir?’ who actually cares?
A fat slob vs a timid glass jawed giant. Looks like an instant classic!
Oh, and Adam pipe down you racist biggoted little all american boy. Do you realise you are calling British fighters useless but also admitting your only heavyweight prospect is useless in the same paragraph?
Agreed.This writer mentions that Arreola doesn’t allow his oppenents to do this or that?Who’s his opponents?They sure as hell weren’t Wlad klitschko.Wlad will hit Arreola with everything he throws because Arreola blocks all oncoming punches with his face.It will be a KO somewhere around the 3rd to 5th round.Even though Arreola is American i use no bias towards his upcoming fights or his boxing skills.Maybe you Brits should open your eyes and realize the boxers your proping up, just because their British aren’t really that good.Like Hatton and Haye.Open your eyes,it helps.Being exciting doesnt mean your good.having a big mouth doesn’t mean your good.
you say this and that will happen but you suck cuz Wlad. aint know Witherspoon. this writer is just another klitschko hater and can’t face the fact that the brothers are thr best. Wlad. will take Arreola apart then knock him out.