By Chris Williams: World Boxing Council heavyweight challenger Chris Arreola (27-0, 24 KO’s) is thankful that British heavyweight David Haye backed out of a fight with the Ukrainian leaving WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko available for a fight with Chris next month on September 26th at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California.

In a blog entry by Arreola at the Fight Hype site, Arreola said “I have to say thanks to David Haye for being scared of Vitali. The way I see it he’s [Haye] taking on the easier fight.” I think I’m fighting one of the best if not the best heavyweights in the world right now.”

I have to agree with Arreola 100%. Vitali Klitschko is probably the best heavyweight in the planet right now despite being 38-years-old and only two fights into his come back to boxing after a four year layoff. Haye, 28, will be fighting WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev on November 7th, in Germany.

Haye backed out of fights against both Klitschko brothers in the past couple of months, saying that his back was hurt – in the case of his bout with Wladimir – and supposedly not liking the contract terms with a fight with Vitali Klitschko. Some people feel that Haye got cold feet when he realized he was going to have to risk his neck in the ring with the huge Klitschko brother and ran off before could take his beating.

Although Haye says that he didn’t like the contract and feels that he’ll be able to get a better deal with a fight against one of the Klitschko brothers if he has the WBA title in hand. Arreola appears to be in the camp of the fans who feel that Haye took off because he was plain scared of getting beaten.

For his part, Arreola has never been shy about taking a fight anyone and as soon as he was given the option of fighting Vitali, Arreola pounced on it. Arreola is currently training hard for his fight next month and is reportedly already in excellent condition. Whether Arreola wins or loses, an interesting fight in the future for him might be a fight against Haye.

Arreola seems to have little regard for Haye and seems like he would be a worthy adversary in the pre-hype taunts. It might be a good tune-up for a fight against Wladimir Klitschko in the future. If Haye could get by Arreola in one piece, then a fight against Wladimir would be interesting for boxing fans to see. I would say Vitali, but Wladimir needs to get a shot at one of these guys.

It’s only fair. Can’t have Vitali taking all the most interesting opponents. Haye would likely get run down by Arreola and taken out in the first round or two because of Arreola big power and heavy pressure style offense. I think Haye would be able to survive for at least eight rounds against Wladimir, because the Ukrainian wouldn’t open up with his power shots until late. Arreola wouldn’t take his time and would go right at Haye, forcing the British fighter to fight for his life.