By Jim Dower: If IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) gets through his next fight against Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KO’s) on July 7th, Wladimir is expected to face heavyweight contender and former world title fight challenger Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KO’s) in November or December of this year, possibly at New York’s Madison Square Garden in New York. Arreola, 31, sees himself beating Wladimir no problems.

Arreola, #4 IBF, #4 WBO, #9 WBA, told the Koncrete Jungle “I’m going to make it a tough fight. I’m going to make it a scrap. I’m going to make it an ugly, grimy fight. I’m going to drain the best and the worst out of him. I’m going to beat him. By the end of this year, I’m going to be the world heavyweight champ.”

That’s big talk for someone that was easily beaten by WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitshko by a 10th round stoppage in September 2009. In that fight, Arreola had problems making contact with the taller Vitali, who kept moving around the ring, jabbing frequently and connecting with a lot of left hooks and short right hands to keep Arreola near helpless. It was almost comical in that it was so easy for Vitali. Arreola’s lack of hand speed, reach and his poor footwork sealed his fate early in the fight. I can’t see the outcome being much different in a fight between Wladimir and Arreola.

Wladimir has a much better jab compared to Vitali, a much more powerful left hook and a faster right hand with better power. Wladimir’s movement will give Arreola a lot of problems, as he’ll keep jabbing on the move and tenderizing Arreola’s skin. Arreola one of those fighters that needs to work his way in. By the time he works in punching range against Wladimir, he’ll have been grabbed in a clinch. Wladimir clinches all the time, and it’s almost impossible to prevent. Arreola will likely take a beating unless he can connect with a big shot that takes Wladimir out completely. If Arreola just hurts Wladimir and doesn’t take him out, he’ll lose because Wladimir will out-box him and likely pound him until the referee halts the fight. That leaves Arreola with no choice but to try and take Wladimir out once he gets him hurt.