There is actually an interesting heavyweight matchup this weekend on HBO. Honest. Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Chris Arreola on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The telecast begins at 10 pm ET with a replay of last week’s fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola (WBC Heavyweight Title)
Money Line: Vitali -600; Arreola +400
Vitali Klitschko, 37-2 (36 KOs), is considered to be one of the top two heavyweights in the world with his brother Wladimir occupying the other spot. Vitali hasn’t faced a lot of top competition in his career. His best performance came in a 2003 loss to Lennox Lewis. He fought the likes of Corrie Sanders, Kirk Johnson, and Danny Williams before deciding to hang up his gloves and give politics a try. He was better suited for boxing. Vitali came back last year but has yet to have a memorable win in his boxing career. At 38 years old, Vitali Klitschko has little time to put together a career-defining victory. This will be Vitali’s chance to prove that this old dog has some new tricks.
Chris Arreola, 27-0 (24 KOs), will be challenging for his first world title at 28 years of age. What Arreola lacks in technical skill, he makes up for in grit. Arreola at times seems more Toughman than boxer. That’s because most of his fights don’t go past four rounds. Arreola is an untested brawler that will face a very steep test against the technically sound Vitali Klitschko. It’s like going straight from training wheels to a BMX race. Arreola bested another elder statesman within the boxing community in his last contest, Jameel McCline, but Vitali is on a different level.
Fight Predictions
Corey: While this looks to be the most intriguing heavyweight fight in recent years from an action standpoint, it’s really all about how long Arreola can hang tough with Vitali. Nothing he’s faced can truly prepare him for fighting who I believe is the best heavyweight in the world. He’s even struggled with some of the lesser opponents he’s faced, including Chazz Witherspoon briefly and Travis Walker, neither of whom possesses the skill and power of Vitali. Look for Arreola to give an honest effort – something few other Klitschko opponents have done in the last couple of years – and make for an entertaining bout for a few rounds before Vitali takes over and starts dropping right hand bombs. Vitali knocks him out by round six.
Trent: Corey hits the nail on the head here but I’d actually be surprised if the fight goes six rounds. I’m pretty sure that someone will even hit the canvas in the first round. Arreola can’t outbox Vitali and he shouldn’t try. He’s going to go after Vitali early. The longer the fight goes on the more it favors Vitali Klitschko. Arreola has a chance to end things early for Vitali and shakeup the heavyweight division, but I don’t see it happening. Vitali is a smart fighter and he will be patient and take advantage of the openings Arreola will present. Look for Arreola to go hard early to no avail. Once a few rounds pass Arreola will become more desperate and leave himself open to finishing blows. Klitschko in four.
