Photo: Big Joe Miranda

Arreola making waves!

July 2, 2008

By Francisco Salazar

Photo: Big Joe Miranda

For previously-unbeaten heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon, his three round outing against heavyweight KO artist Chris Arreola a few weeks ago in Memphis, TN seemed like a nightmare.

Then again, that is what Arreola intended to do: Dominate Witherspoon throughout three rounds and take his will away to fight. Arreola scored two knockdowns, but most importantly, it allowed Arreola to showcase his skills to the rest of the country on national television.

Now, Arreola wants to continue his rise towards a title shot or a big money fight. While Arreola may be popular in Southern California, he is slowly turning heads in boxing.

Arreola (24-0, 21 KO's) discussed his future plans and past events at a press luncheon in Sherman Oaks, CA on Tuesday afternoon. Most of the assembled media had seen Arreola fight numerous times since his professional debut back in 2003.

Although Arreola is undefeated and is ranked amongst the top 12 in the division, it was not all dandy for the fighter now residing in Riverside, CA.

Commitment and weight issues were more difficult opponents for Arreola than the ones he would face in the ring. With the help of trainer Henry Ramirez and signing on with promoter Dan Goossen, Arreola has slowly become a major player in the Heavyweight division.

His victory over Witherspoon, despite it being a disqualification victory, has brought much praise from media and boxing insiders. Yet to Arreola, it was no surprise that he was able to dispatch him so easily.

"I wasn't surprised by what happened," said Arreola, who had stopped 11 opponents in a row prior to the Witherspoon victory. "I knew that he could not keep me off of him. Henry told me to take the fight to him. He tried to peg and run. I just felt like the stronger fighter in there."

Standing at six foot four and weighing in between 235 and 245 pounds, Arreola has the average Heavyweight build. With power in each hand, Arreola has developed solid boxing skills within the last three years. If he is not scoring quick knockouts, Arreola is in control and slowly breaks them down.

It is something that he learned picking up as a young boy growing up in the predominantly-Latino section of East Los Angeles watching his idol Julio Cesar Chavez. Watching Chavez in open workouts at the Azteca Gym in Bell Gardens pushed Arreola to pursue boxing, despite being a standout athlete playing football and basketball in high school.

It is his drive to become the first Heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Both his parents were born in Mexico, while Arreola was born in Southern California.

His next bout will be another step up as former world title challenger David Tua could be a possible opponent. Whoever it would be, Arreola knows he will be at his best again.

"I look forward to a Tua fight," acknowledged Arreola, who was coming off of a first round destruction over Cliff Couser in February. "I know that whoever will be my next opponent will get a fighter who is getting better every time out."

Ramirez, Arreola's trainer, agrees, predicting that the best of Chris Arreola is yet to come.

"I feel that he is coming along with where I expect him to be," said Ramirez, who also trains young fighters like Josesito Lopez. "He is barely scratching the surface. You are slowly seeing the type of fighter that he is."

If a fight with Tua can not take place soon, Arreola hopes to stay busy with anyone who is willing to fight him. Staying active is something that Arreola feels makes him a better fighter.

His promoter, Dan Goossen, agrees.

"We hope to get Chris back in the ring by September or October. It is not a good idea to keep Chris out of the ring for long periods of time. If a Tua fight can not take place, then we can get a lower-lever fight to keep Chris busy."

Arreola points out that the training and discipline is what makes his performance in the ring look easy. Having Ramirez and getting solid sparring in the gym are key ingredients as well.

However, Arreola acknowledged that sparring solid rounds with Heavyweight contender James Toney has been a godsend. Arreola feels that he has learned extensively physical and mental attributes from the former world champion in three weight classes.

"I have learned a lot from James," said Arreola, who has a six year old daughter named Danae. "I have learned be calm during sparring and in fights. James is so relaxed and it seems as though everything comes easy to him. As a young fighter, that is something that I picked up on."

Arreola has made fans fighting throughout Southern California, across the country where he fights, and lately on national television.

However, there are detractors who feel that Arreola is more hype than talented. One such individual, Heavyweight prospect Jason Estrada, recently criticized Arreola for not fighting tougher opponents and stating that Arreola is all hype.

Arreola has not let Estrada's comments get to him.

"I have no opinion as to what he said. I do not badmouth any fighters. If he thinks he can beat me, so be it. I don't look into what he is saying."

In a jab at Estrada, Arreola said, "He has the loss on his record. I still have an '0' on my mine"

Now in his fifth year as a professional, Arreola has come a long way as a fighter and as an individual. Fatherhood has placed a sense of responsibility and maturity on Arreola, which he readily accepts.

Boxing is his full-time job and he puts long hours of sparring to get better. Arreola not only wants to become a champion, but provide for his daughter and make a better life for themselves.

With his aggressive style that has slowly begun turning heads in the boxing world, Arreola is slowly coming into his own. The nightmare that he bestows upon his opponents in the ring could make his dreams of becoming a world champion a reality.

It is a realistic goal. One that does not need to be dreamt about at all.