By Patrick McHugh: After failing on two previous world title shots in the past, Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) plans on making the most of his opportunity in his fight next month against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) on July 16 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Arreola is no longer a young fight at 35, and this might be his last chance to fight for a world title fight if he loses to Wilder. For that that reason, Arreola is going to need to take out all the stops in his training camp to get ready for this fight.
Arreola cannot afford to come into the fight out of shape and unable to fight hard for 12 rounds. It would also help if Arreola’s chin holds up because it failed him in a big way in his two defeats to Bermane Stiverne in 2013 and 2014.
“I have to approach this fight different than any others. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said Arreola during the kickoff press conference with the 6’7” Wilder. “Deontay has a lot to lose. He is going to come prepared. He knows what kind of fighter I am. I am going to give it my all. Deontay is a tough SOB. An athlete has to be ready for that right hand and that jab. Be careful and be ready at all times.”
Arreola needs to make sure he goes after Wilder early because he might not be around long if he takes his time in this fight. Wilder likes to shoot for early knockouts in his fights, and that’s clearly when he’s most dangerous. Wilder is dangerous all the time, but most of his knockouts have come within the first four rounds against opponents that fought scared and didn’t give a great effort.
Arreola needs to be fearless and aggressive against Wilder early because that’s his best chance of winning the fight. Arreola probably won’t be able to take a great deal of punishment against Wilder like he did in his first fight against Stiverne and in his bout with former WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Wilder is too big of a puncher for him to be given the chance to land his shots for any length of time.
Wilder was supposed to fight Alexander Povetkin last month on May 21, but the fight was called off a week and a half before the contest after the Russian fighter tested positive for a banned substance. The World Boxing Council then gave Wilder the opportunity to take a voluntary defense while they decide on what they will do with Povetkin.
Wilder hasn’t faced an aggressive fighter like Arreola before. This is going to be a tougher fighter than the ones he’s had in the past. Stiverne didn’t go after Wilder the way that Arreola likely will. Arreola is good at cutting off the ring and forcing his opponents to fight him in a brawling manner. Stiverne wasn’t good at cutting off the ring on Wilder, and that’s why the American heavyweight was able to jab and pot shot him for 12 rounds.
“I have to make the best out of this opportunity. He is doing what he is supposed to do as a champion. He is defending his title,” said Arreola.