Chris Arreola

Chris Arreola
Chris Arreola
	Arreola in 2011
Statistics
Real name	Cristobal Arreola
Nickname(s)	The Nightmare
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	March 5, 1981 (age 43); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	43
Wins	36
Wins by KO	31
Losses	4
Draws	1
No contests	2
Men's amateur boxing
US National Golden Gloves

Cristobal "Chris" Arreola (born March 5, 1981) is an American professional boxer and a two-time world heavyweight title challenger.^[1]

Early life

Arreola was born in Los Angeles, California and met boxer Julio César Chávez a couple of times when he was a boy. Arreola said "I had a chance to go to his house in Culiacán, Mexico because my father was from near there and my aunt lived in Culiacan. I used to go and watch him train."^[2]

Amateur career

Arreola grew up in East Los Angeles. His father was a boxer and started him boxing at the age of eight with trainer Hector Rodríguez. At 16, he had "about 200 amateur bouts" before losing interest and quitting. In 2001 at 20 he got back into boxing and after only three months of training managed to win the National Golden Gloves at the Light Heavyweight division, to win Chris beat Dallas Vargas who had about 300 amateur fights at the time.^[3]

After another hiatus from boxing, this time for two years, he tried to come back for the 2003 Golden Gloves but arrived shortly after the check-in deadline prompting him to turn pro.^[4]

Professional career

In 2003, Goossen-Tutor promoted him and turned him pro at heavyweight with little fanfare. Looking back he says: "I really didn't know if boxing was going to be my career. I wasn't sure about turning pro and once I did, I just took it one fight at a time. But then I starting knocking guys out and I gradually started thinking, 'Hey, maybe I can make some money doing this'."^{[this quote needs a citation]}

In 2005 he fought Domonic Jenkins who despite his record of only 6-3 held a win over Malcolm Tann (and later KOd amateur stars Victor Bisbal and Carlos Barnett). After trailing for six rounds he turned the fight around and won by KO.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006 he stopped Sedreck Fields, Cuban Damian Norris (who later defeated the unbeaten Roderick Willis) and in a match of unbeaten Californian prospects Damian Wills (coming in at 22-0-0-0).^{[citation needed]}

In 2007 he KOd former amateur star Zakeem Graham (11-0). He was scheduled to fight undefeated Olympian Devin Vargas, brother of his amateur foe Dallas Vargas, but knocked out late sub Malcolm Tann when Vargas got injured in training, in May 2007 on ShoBox. He KO'd Thomas Hayes (record 27-0-0-0) in September 2007, in round 1.

On June 21, 2008, Arreola faced fellow undefeated prospect Chazz Witherspoon (23-0) and defeated him via disqualifaction. In the third round, Arreola landed a barrage of punches that was capped off by a chopping right that sent Witherspoon to the canvas. The bell rang early in the count, prompting Witherspoon's corner to begin entering the ring. This was ruled by the referee to be a disqualification since the round is not technically over until the count is over. But many, including HBO commentator Max Kellerman, believed that the fight would have been stopped and ruled a TKO regardless.

On November 29, 2008, Arreola faced Travis Walker. During the 1st round Arreola was overwhelmed by Walker's power and was outboxed. Arreola came back late in the 2nd round after nearly being knocked down to his knees; Arreola knocked Walker down twice afterwards, eventually knocking Walker out early in the 3rd round improving Arreola's record to 26-0.

Arreola is currently ranked in the top 10 by all four major governing bodies.^[5]

His coach Henry Ramirez is only 28 years old. "I had other trainers but they didn't fit my style. I'm a banger... Henry was always giving guys confidence and I liked that." said Arreola of his trainer.

Arreola defeated the previously retired heavyweight veteran Jameel McCline (40-8 23 KO's) on April 11, 2009, with a knockout at 2:01 of the 4th round. Arreola put McCline down with a combination consisting of an uppercut and right cross, and McCline was out cold. The fight was shown on the undercard of the Paul Williams vs Ronald "Winky" Wright bout on HBO Championship Boxing.

On March 13, 2015, Arreola made his return to the ring to face heavyweight Curtis Harper. The fight took place during the first Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV broadcast at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Arreola was awarded a victory by unanimous decision following 8 rounds of boxing. ^[6]

WBC Heavyweight Championship

After his win, Arreola was the number one contender to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his WBC Heavyweight title belt.^[7] Arreola was happy with his draw when it was announced they would fight in Arreola's home town.^[8] The match took place on September 26, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was broadcast on HBO. Klitschko was a heavy favorite in the days leading up to the fight. The fight had Klitschko dominating Arreola with pawing jabs, hard straight rights and body shots which prevented Arreola from closing the gap. Arreola's corner and the referee stopped the fight before the start of the 11th round, giving Klitschko a 10th-round RTD (TKO) victory. The final scorecards read 99-91, 99-91, and 100–89, all for Klitschko.^[9]

Soon after his first career loss, Arreola fought Brian Minto as an undercard for the Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martínez fight. Chris landed well with his straight right hand and eventually floored Minto in the 4th round; Minto got up at 8 and continued to get hit with right hands before being dropped again. The referee stopped the fight when Minto rose at 9 and appeared to be in no condition to proceed with the fight.^[10]

Arreola lost his next fight, to former two-division world champion Tomasz Adamek, by majority decision on 24 April 2010. Arreola was again looking out of shape for a professional boxer at the time of the fight.^[11]

Arreola in his next fight defeated Manuel Quezada in Ontario, California by a 12-round unanimous decision. Quezada was down three times in the fight: twice in the 9th round and once in the 12th. The scores (117–108) and two judges had it (118-107). Before the fight Arreola had an interview on ESPN saying that his last two defeats were because he did not train well (as well as skipping days) and stepped into the training camp weighing nearly 300 pounds. He said that he now knew how to prepare for a fight, and realizes he needs to take the training camp seriously. He came in at 256 pounds (he fought the best at 230–240, and lost his previous two weighing over 250 pounds) and fought sluggishly against a tough opponent. At the end of the fight, Arreola said he gave himself a C− for overall performance.^[12]

After his knockout over American Joey Abell on ESPN,^[13] Arreola took out title contender Nagy Aguilera in the third round. This bout was televised on Showtime's Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham undercard.^[14] Thirteen days after the fight with Aguilera, Cristobal knocked out tough veteran Kendrick Releford in the seventh round, as the main-event on ESPN.^[15]^[16] He has since then won by a 10-round unanimous decision against Friday Ahunanya on July 9, and a third-round TKO over Raphael Butler on November 5, 2011, in Guanajuato Domo De La Feria, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Arreola's next fight was on the Paul Williams vs. Nobuhiro Ishida undercard at the American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 18, 2012. The opponent was heavyweight contender Éric Molina. Arreola won the fight by first-round KO. ^[17] After the knockout, Arreola created some stir in the post fight interview when he referred to Molina’s promoter Don King as a “f—ing a–hole and a racist,” prompting Showtime’s Jim Gray to immediately terminate the interview. “Honestly Don King called me a wetback, and other Mexicans,” Arreola told Fightnews.com. “That’s a strong word. It’s like me dropping N bombs. You don’t say things like that.” ^[18]

Arreola had a chance at a rematch with Vitali Klitschko in April 2013 when he faced Bermane Stiverne. Although a favorite to win the fight, Arreola was knocked down in the third round and wound up losing a unanimous decision.^[19] On September 7, 2013, Arreola beat Seth Mitchell in a single round.^[20] He lost again to Stiverne on May 10, 2014.

Professional boxing record

43 fights, 36 wins (31 knockouts), 4 losses (2 knockouts), 1 draw, 2 no contests^[21]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
NC	36-4-1 2 NC	Travis Kauffman	SD	12	December 12, 2015	AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas	Originally a split decision victory for Arreola; later changed to a no contest after he failed a drug test.
Draw	36-4-1 1 NC	Fred Kassi	MD	10	July 18, 2015	Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas
Win	36–4 1 NC	Curtis Harper	UD	8	March 13, 2015	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California
Loss	35–4 1 NC	Bermane Stiverne	TKO	6 (12)	May 10, 2014	Galen Center, Los Angeles, California	For vacant WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	35–3 1 NC	Seth Mitchell	KO	1 (12) 2:26	September 7, 2013	Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California	Won WBC International heavyweight title.
Loss	34–3 1 NC	Bermane Stiverne	UD	12	April 27, 2013	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	For WBC Silver heavyweight title.
Win	34–2 1 NC	Éric Molina	KO	1 (12) 2:30	February 18, 2012	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Win	33–2 1 NC	Raphael Butler	TKO	3 (10) 0:55	November 5, 2011	Domo De La Feria, Leon, Guanajuato
NC	32–2 1 NC	Friday Ahunanya	UD	10	July 9, 2011	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	32–2	Kendrick Releford	TKO	7 (10) 2:43	May 27, 2011	Reno Events Center, Reno, Nevada
Win	31–2	Nagy Aguilera	TKO	3 (10) 1:58	May 14, 2011	Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Win	30–2	Joey Abell	TKO	1 (10) 2:18	January 28, 2011	Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California
Win	29–2	Manuel Quezada	UD	12	August 13, 2010	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	Won WBC FECOMBOX Heavyweight title.
Loss	28–2	Tomasz Adamek	MD	12	April 24, 2010	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	For IBF International Heavyweight title.
Win	28–1	Brian Minto	TKO	4 (10) 2:40	December 5, 2009	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Loss	27–1	Vitali Klitschko	RTD	10 (12) 3:00	September 26, 2009	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	For WBC Heavyweight title
Win	27–0	Jameel McCline	KO	4 (12) 2:01	April 11, 2009	Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	26–0	Travis Walker	TKO	3 (12) 0:13	November 29, 2008	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	NABF and WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight titles.
Win	25–0	Israel Carlos Garcia	TKO	3 (10) 1:11	September 25, 2008	Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California	Retained WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title
Win	24–0	Chazz Witherspoon	DQ	3 (12) 3:00	June 21, 2008	FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee	Retained WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title
Win	23–0	Cliff Couser	TKO	1 (10) 1:22	February 9, 2008	Pechanga Resort, Temecula, California
Win	22–0	Thomas Hayes	KO	3 (10) 1:45	September 21, 2007	Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California	Won WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
Win	21–0	Derek Berry	KO	1 (10) 0:57	July 14, 2007	The Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Win	20–0	Malcolm Tann	TKO	8 (8) 1:07	May 4, 2007	Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	19–0	Zakeem Graham	TKO	3 (10) 2:42	February 9, 2007	Suffolk Community College, Selden, New York
Win	18–0	Damian Wills	TKO	7 (10) 2:17	November 4, 2006	Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	17–0	Damian Norris	TKO	4 (8) 2:59	August 19, 2006	Reno Events Center, Reno, Nevada
Win	16–0	Sedreck Fields	KO	7 (8) 1:41	May 25, 2006	Pechanga Resort, Temecula, California
Win	15–0	Lee Manuel Ossie	KO	1 (6) 1:33	April 12, 2006	Tachi Palace Hotel, Lemoore, California
Win	14–0	Curtis Taylor	KO	1 (6) 2:28	March 3, 2006	Pechanga Resort, Temecula, California
Win	13–0	Domonic Jenkins	TKO	5 (8) 2:38	October 21, 2005	Pechanga Resort, Temecula, California
Win	12–0	Andrew Greeley	UD	6	September 23, 2005	USC Lyon Center, Los Angeles, California
Win	11–0	Kenny Lemos	TKO	4 (4) 1:49	May 5, 2005	Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California
Win	10–0	Samuel Rodríguez	TKO	4 (6) 1:26	February 17, 2005	Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood, California
Win	9–0	David Cleage	DQ	3 (4)	January 21, 2005	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut
Win	8–0	Benjamin García	TKO	1 (6) 0:21	December 9, 2004	Pechanga Resort, Temecula, California
Win	7–0	Ed Mosley	TKO	1 (4) 0:59	August 20, 2004	Omega International, Corona, California
Win	6–0	David Johnson	TKO	1 (4)	April 26, 2004	Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California
Win	5–0	Jason Condon	KO	1 (4) 2:33	March 22, 2004	Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California
Win	4–0	Semisi Bloomfield	TKO	1 (4) 2:40	February 16, 2003	Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California
Win	3–0	David Johnson	KO	2 (4) 1:21	August 10, 2003	Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California
Win	2–0	Jeremiah Constant	TKO	1 (4) 0:27	October 13, 2003	Edgewater Hotel & Casino, Laughlin, Nevada
Win	1–0	Roosevelt Parker	TKO	2 (4) 1:25	September 5, 2003	Edgewater Hotel & Casino, Laughlin, Nevada