The WBC has missed a trick with Arreola vs. Stiverne 2

By Gavin Duthie - 05/10/2014 - Comments

arreola991(Photo credit: Goosen Tutor Promotions) By Gav Duthie: Bermaine Stiverne 23-1-1(20) v Chris Arreola 36-3(31) has to be the LEAST inspiring vacant title fight that I can think of in living memory. I just can’t seem to get myself up for it. 

When Vitaly Klitschko became champion emeritus (in other words retired) I was excited for the first time in 10 years of heavyweight boredom at the thought of a new champion. The heavyweight division has arguably been dull for 20 years if you count the reign of Lennox Lewis. The WBC could have generated some interest in the division if they thought outside the box. Instead they go route one and order a fight between number 1 Stiverne and number 2 Arreola. 

Where do I start on how rubbish this is. These guys fought each other in only April last year in a fairly one sided contest with Arreola plodding forward and getting countered by the quicker Stiverne. The scores ended a convincing 118-109, 117-110, 117-110 in Stiverne’s favour. 

Two questions.

1. Why have them fight again?
They had be as well just give the title to Stiverne. They did this recently with Erislandy Lara, elevating his last fight. 

2. Why is Arreola No. 2 in WBC?
He knocked out Seth Mitchell but so what, many others deserve this shot more or at least as much as Arreola. 

Better Idea

Back when Muhammad Ali had his boxing license revoked for refusing to fight in Vietnam there were no standout candidates for the title. What thy decided to do was put the best 8 boxers available against each other in a knockout tournament. Last man standing wins the title. 

Quarter Final

Jimmy Ellis v Leotis Martin
Oscar Bonavena v Karl Mildenberger
Jerry Quarry v Floyd Patterson
Ernie terrell v Thad Spencer

Semi Final

Jimmy Ellis v Oscar Bonavena
Jerry Quarry v Thad Spencer

Final

Jimmy Ellis v Jerry Quarry

Jimmy Ellis who passed away only four days ago aged 74 fought three tough fights and became the world heavyweight champion. People talk about the golden era of 70’s heavyweight boxing but those 8 names weren’t exciting household names, bar Floyd Patterson. During the boxing lull, after Ali and before Joe Frazier the boxing authorities made the best decision they could to keep the interest alive. 

Lets look at how a similar tournament could work today

WbC rankings (Quarter Final)

1. Bermaine Stiverne v 8. Derek Chisora
2. Chris Arreola v 7. Manuel Charr
3. Deontay Wilder v 6. Tony Thompson
4. Bryant Jennings v 5. Mike Perez

Who would win this? I have no idea but I would have liked to have found out. I understand boxing is different today. There was only one title in the 70s, now there are 4, 5 if you count the nonsensical WBA super title and countless more that nobody cares about. However, I’m just a bit gutted that they haven’t tried something a little bit different because the heavyweight division needs it badly. 



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