Arreola-Klitschko: Vitali Has Never Faced an Undefeated Fighter In his Prime
September 25th, 2009
By Dave Lahr: In looking over WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko’s resume, I noticed that he’s never faced a top undefeated fighter before during his long 13 year pro boxing career. The closest thing that Klitschko has gotten to facing a top undefeated fighter is Timo Hoffmann who was 22-0 at the time that Vitali fought him in nine years ago in November 2000.
The bout comes for Klitschko at a bad time in his career, as he’s older now at 38 and has only fought twice in the past five years. To say that Klitschko is rusty would be putting it mildly. He’s more than rusty, he’s a relic. This is why Arreola has a great chance of scoring an upset on Saturday night when he faces the towering Klitschko at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles.
Klitschko has faced two really good fighters during his career, Chris Byrd and Lewis, losing to both of them by stoppage. Many of Vitali’s other fights have come against either lesser fighters or good fighters who were in the declining stages of their careers. While Klitschko rarely loses a round during his fights, most of his fights have come against good – but not great – opposition.
For this reason, you have to take many of Klitschko’s wins with a grain of salt and put them in perspective. Beating good fighters isn’t a big deal when they lack the tools to compete. I wouldn’t say that Arreola is a great heavyweight, but he’s a very good one and that’s a problem for Vitali. Arreola does everything good – punch, jab, move and block shots.
He’s not weak in any one area. I wouldn’t call him great in any of those areas, but he’s very good at all. Arreola is like a student who does well in every subject rather than just one or two. Being good in all parts of his game will give Arreola an excellent chance at beating Klitschko on Saturday night.
Arreola’s excellent chin will be the first factor that keeps him in this fight, because he’ll need to be able to take Klitschko’s occasional big right hand shots to be able to stick around until later in the fight.
However, Arreola should have no problem an occasional big right hand from Klitschko and firing back with his own shots. Arreola’s talent level is going to be a big jump up for Klitschko compared to what he’s been facing. People are saying that Arreola will be the one that will be making a huge step up in competition and I agree with them.
However, he’s young and flexible, and can adjust and adapt like young people can. Klitschko is old, a barely active fighter in the past five years with a history of injuries and stamina problems. Do the math. Arreola is going to win this fight and win it by knockout.
Tags: 32 Responses to “Arreola-Klitschko: Vitali Has Never Faced an Undefeated Fighter In his Prime”
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This should be an easy defence for klitschko, his opponent has fought no-body!
Arreola is unbeaten because he hasn’t fought anyone. When Vitali knocks him out, will the author of this article give him props for doing so? I suspect not.
Klitschko is more technically sound than Arreola, but this does not mean he will win. Klitschko must be able to keep his distance and consistently land his jab to beat Arreola with his right hand.If Arreola can land hard and clean and early in the fight he will send the ukranian back home to ponder why he was knocked out.
behave areola doesent stand a chance this fat pudding is getting knock out in 3 by a much better boxer in vitali he is going to teach areola a boxing lesson believe me.
Arreola has power in both hands and if he can land a couple clean shots on Klitschko it will be an early night for the ukranian. Arreola wins in 6.
Mexico has produced some of the greatest boxers of all time. It would be great if Mexico could have its 1st heavyweight champion. VIVA MEXICO!
That picture of Arreola reminds me of something during my Eurotrip a few months back:
https://secure.bighospitality.co.uk/download/589/Little-chef.jpg
klitschko will win this fight and pacquaio will knock out cotto
God!! This fight is a joke!! Its disrespecting true boxing fans!!
Well some people may be watching this fight because they know its going to be WAR! Others will watch to druel over Vitali’s physique LOL!
Although Chris does not look like a body builder hes very strong! One thing I do admit is that Chris should of came in closer to 240 pounds! So that he may be able to get past the quick robo jabs of Vitali!
Chris Arreola does have a chance in beating Vitali as long as he keeps moving and become very awkward to hit and he needs to keep his chin protected. He needs to be throwing his powerfull combos especialy his wicked upercut!
If Chris lost this fight it doesnt meen that this will be the end for him! Chris is young and win or lose this fight will be something he will learn from and should take on someone like David Tua!
If Vitali lost i think he should concider retirement or maybe take on Oleg Maskaev to relift his spirit again!
Who knows maybe the fight will be close and there may be a rematch! Cant Wait!
I am convinced that Klitschko will win the fight. But that’s not saying Arreola doesn’t have a chance. He’s a tough fighter and a great puncher and Vitali has to be VERY careful at the beginning of the bout. If Chris manages to surprise Vitali, he may well become the first Mexican world champion in the heavyweight division. Over time, though, he will probably have eaten so many of Vitali’s jabs that it’s only a question of time until the referee stops the bout.
Forget about Arreola being too fat, just look at the picture, he seems to be in perfect shape. And forget about Klitschko being too old. If he wasn’t in perfect shape too, he would never take on an opponent as strong as Arreola.
Looks like we’re going to see one of the best heavyweight fights in years.
is this fight going to be shown in the uk
I think Arreola can do it , but he has to be very careful from the sudden jabs of Vitali,he need to concentrate 100%,espcially in the first 6 rounds, best chane to Arreola.
Just look at the physique of Vitali Klitschko.
I would not like to be his opponent.
Probably the most physically imposing heavyweight of all time!!!!!!
The overweight Pit bull will take down the bigger Great Dane down by the 6th.
Ill bet for Arreola!
Vitaliy by TKO 100%
This fight will either be a war or a complete beatdown by VK.
I’m going for the latter based on the fact that Arreola is a bit too green and not sure that coming in at that higher weight will work. You never know though, VK was looking tired in his last fight, maybe the time off plus his age has made him ready for the taking. Not sure whether Arreola is the man who can do it though considering he’s never hit the floor and that was even taking bombs from Lewis.
All BS hype aside, I always thought Arreola vs Haye would be a good fight.
Not even close, V.K. will dominate him.
dream on all you who think Areolla can beet the mighty uk. Vitaly mightnt be older now but he will mop chris up. chris will be diff. after he feels how strong and powerful Klits. is.
Arreola will make history by 7th round K.O!
USA USA USA!!!!!!
I want the american to win, but i cant see it happening.
Good luck Arreola!
Thanks Mark,
I’m relatively new to this site – was very happy to find it, but find a lot of the slanted reports a bit annoying. A lot of these reporters can’t bring themselves to admit that the top fighters in the sport actually deserve their accolades. I should go back through the archives and make a list of everyone who talked smack about how badly Mayweather was going to get beaten last week.
At least Manuel Perez has promised to never write about boxing again when Pacquiao beats Cotto, so there’s that to look forward to.
well said connie. I love boxing news but it annoys me that the majority of opinions on him and his fights in bn always seem to border on the negative.He is a goliath.The Usain bolt of the heavyweights.A genetic superior with unique attributes ie 6 foot seven , athleticaly coordinated with the toughness of steel , he makes good fighters look ordinary, ask danny williams or samuel peter , as all great fighters do.
Arreola’s physique is looking a bit too doughy for my liking!
Interesting article. In keeping with your analysis, I thought of a few more points.
Vitali has also never beaten a guy with the initials C.A.
Vitali never won a title bout that was fought on September 26th.
Vitali has never beaten a heavyweight who was born on March 5.
All these signs, plus Dave Lahr’s astute observation, would point to an easy Arreola win… unless you consider the fact that Arreola is completely overmatched and not remotely ready to take on a fighter of this caliber.
Klitschko by TKO in 5.
cant see klitschko losing this one! haye is gonna clear up the heavyweight scene!!
i cant believe how ill informed the above article is. It is wladimir and not vitali who has a history of stamina problems.Vitali won every round just about against chris byrd , but was foiled in his efforts by a torn rotator cuff which required immediate surgery.Against lennox vitali was ahead on points before the referee decided he was too badly cut to continue, the rage vitali showed in the ring immediately after the fight showed he was ready to fight lewis ,but vitali was denied the rematch he was promised…..big Lennox knew
If Chris has a chance it’s early. After 3 I believe odds shift dramatically for Vitali. Chris has a wicked upper cut and left hook.
He obviously is not in great shape and has not gone this distance
in years.
I am rooting for Arreola. This article brought up a really good point. Congrats to Lahr for being able to go out on a limb and actually make a good case for the “little” guy in this fight.
BTW, Dave you make some great points. I still have to go with Vitali. His long jab is a good weapon, especially against a much shorter man. I always felt that Chris did not train as well as he should have. I see Chris getting stopped by 9th round.
Tiffani you will be losing you hard earned bucks. Chris will be eating Klitschko’s jab all night long followed by straight rights every now and then. Chase that bookie down and tell him you want your money back.
I will be putting money on Arreola. when will Mayweather/Pacquio happen?