By Charles Brun: Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte will be facing Chris Arreola in the headliner on October 2nd on DAZN at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Eddie Hearn revealed on Thursday that he’s “finalizing” the Whyte vs. Arreola for October 30th.
Arreola is arguably a big improvement over the previous frontrunner for Whyte’s October 30th fight in Jermaine Franklin. At least with Arreola, he has experience in fights against many world-class opponents.
Franklin has never fought a first-tier level opponent during his career, so you don’t know whether he’ll fold immediately against Whyte.
Hearn says that he and Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) like the fight with the former three-time heavyweight world title challenger.
Interestingly, this will be Whyte’s fourth consecutive fight against an opponent at least 40-years-old. Dillian has been combing the ranks of the older fighters in the last two years since 2019, and it’s kept him out of harm for the most part.
It’s unclear if Whyte is trying to break a record in fighting older guys or what.
- Mariusz Wach – 40
- Alexander Povetkin – 41
- Chris Arreola – 40
Arreola with a two-fight LOSING streak
The 40-year-old Arreola (38-7-1, 33 KOs) is going through a bit of a dry spell right now, having lost his last two fights against Andy Ruiz Jr. and Adam Kownacki. Arreola’s last win was two years ago against Jeanpierre Augusti in 2019.
The idea of choosing Arreola would be twofold. Firstly, ‘The Nightmare’ Arreola is a name that casual boxing fans will recognize, and they’re more likely to show interest in subscribing to DAZN to watch Whyte face him.
Secondly, Arreola is a non-threat to beating Whyte due to his advanced age and the fact that he hasn’t beaten a top-level opponent in nine years since his first round knockout win over a then-young Eric Molina in 2012.
Even with Arreola being a shot fighter after eighteen years as a pro, he’s still a threat to beating Whyte.
As we saw last year with Whyte getting knocked out by 40-year-old Alexander Povetkin, he’s vulnerable against anyone with a little pop in their punches.
“October 30th, save the date. It’s an absolute monster card coming to the O2, like what you’re seeing in Leeds, like what you’re seeing in Liverpool, and you’re going to see the same thing at the O2,” said Hearn to iFL TV about Dillian Whyte’s card.
Whyte likes the Arreola fight
“I like Arreola, and I think Dillian likes Arreola,” Hearn continued. “It’s a hell of a fight, it’s a war, and Dillian is up for that. So, we’re finalizing in the next couple of days.
“Alen Babic will be on the card, and there will be at least one world title fight. There will be a big unification fight on that card.
“Probably two world title fights, actually, and a British title fight and a couple of young prospects, Dillian’s guys. It’s going to be a monster night at the O2, and I can’t wait to go back there.
“Dillian hasn’t boxed in the UK in front of crowds in over two years, so it’s going to be a big night.
“So, the opponents will be announced over the weekend or early next week. I’m trying to iron that out now. Definitely a runner,” said Hearn when asked if Arreola is the ‘frontrunner’ as Whyte’s opponent on October 30th.
“EBU actually ordered Marco Huck the other day to fight Dillian Whyte for the European title. It was a bit of a curveball. You’ve got Jermaine Franklin as well, who has accepted the fight [with Whyte], to be fair to him,” Hearn said.