WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko will make the second defense of his title against undefeated Mexican American number one contender Cristobal Arreola on Saturday September 26 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Klitschko is no stranger to headlining at Staples Center, as he has previously fought there in title fights against Lennox Lewis in 2003 as well as Corrie Sanders the following year. Let it be known to all fans of boxing as well as casual sports fans that Wladimir Klitschko is indeed the universally recognized heavyweight champion of the world, but there are some who feel that his brother Vitali may very well be the creme of the crop in the heavyweight division.
Klitschko won the title in October of 2008 with a dominating 8th round TKO of defending champion Sam Peter. Klitschko was last seen in in March successfully making his first title defense against former cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez, which ended by way of a 9th round TKO for Dr. Iron Fist.
Tonight Klitschko faces perhaps the most stern test of his current title reign, but it remains to be seen if Arreola is ready for a fight the caliber of Klitschko. Arreola, who had an impressive amateur background, has three most notable victories in the professional ranks against Chazz Witherspoon, Travis Walker, and Jameel McCline. Walker was able to drop Arreola in the 2nd round, but Arreola showed heart and determination by rising from the canvas the knock his foe out the following round.
Throughout the week, when asked by members of the media how Arreola plans to defeat Klitschko or take his jab away, Arreola responded by saying he's coming to fight and he's not going to give Klitschko any time or space to pump his jab or get into a comfortable rhythm. Arreola admitted that he may even have to eat some jabs to get on the inside of Klitschko's lengthy wing span, but insists his head will be in Klitschko's chest and he will fight him at close quarters.
Tonight Arreola seeks star status as well as distinction a top a heavyweight division largely populated and dominated by Eastern European contenders and titlists. Additionally, Arreola hopes to become the first American heavyweight champion since Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis to bring the heavyweight championship back to America in April of 2001. Is the relatively inexperienced Arreola ready for a fight of this magnitude and does he have any other plans if his primary game plan of coming to fight does not work out to his advantage? Has Klitschko aged over night and will his age play a factor in tonight's championship fight when he takes on a younger challenger with considerably less mileage?
As this reporter predicts, I see Arreola hurting Vitali Klitschko in the first round, but Klitschko will be able to survive the moment. Klitschko will start to use his jab more in round two. From the first round on, this should become a rather one-sided fight. Right hands start to find their target and Klitschko will open a cut over Arreola's left eye with a big right hand. The punishment will gradually accumulate from rounds four through six. The cuts, the blood, and the punishment will all take a physical and psychological toll on Arreola, who is too inexperienced in the professional ranks for an opponent of Klitschko's caliber. Klitschko will put Arreola down for the count in the seventh round.
Prediction: Klitschko KO7 Arreola
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