Last ten-plus months have been a “Nightmare” for Arreola
By Kyle Kinder
When the sun arose on the morning of September 26, 2009, Cristobal “Nightmare” Arreola was an undefeated prospect, sporting an unblemished record of 27-0, and about to fight for a world heavyweight title against Vitali Klitschko. He was continually built up by and showcased on HBO and was arguably the best American-born heavyweight. By the time the clock struck midnight at the end of that autumn day, Arreola hoped to be the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.
Fast forward just ten months to present day and Arreola is somewhere in southern California, walking around in his 256 pound body with two injured hands, two losses on his record, and no significant titles.
Presumably before then — but ever since the night of September 26, 2009, Arreola has not taken his career seriously.
From the opening bell against Vitali Klitschko, it was clear that Arreola would struggle against the experienced champion. Although pouring his heart out in the ring, Arreola was never able to penetrate the elder Klitschko’s jab-built wall and was continually pummeled with the 6’7” Ukranian’s pulverizing lead left hooks.
After ten rounds of boxing for the WBC heavyweight title, Henry Ramirez, Arreola’s trainer, told referee Jon Schorle ‘no mas.’ There would be no eleventh round and subsequently, no WBC title for Arreola.
During an expletive-laden post-fight interview with HBO’s Larry Merchant, Arreola burst into tears, assuring his fans and viewers that he never wanted to give up and that he “trained his a** off” for the fight.
At the time, nobody had the right to question Arreola’s words. Sure, his stomach was soft and 251 pounds was too much for his 6’4” frame, but up until that point, he had been successful in every professional bout of his career.
It wasn’t until his next fight in December of that year that it became clear Arreola was less than fully committed to his career as a boxer.
Picking up its fallen warrior, HBO came calling for Arreola, putting his bout between he and Cruiserweight-bound, Brian Minto on the Sergio Martinez-Paul Williams undercard in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Embarrassingly, the man who trained his a** off in preparation for his title fight against Klitschko weighed in for his ‘rebound’ fight at a whopping 263 pounds. In two years, during the time between his fight against Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon to the bout against Minto, Arreola ballooned from 239 to 263 pounds.
His fight against the undersized Minto may have actually been the one fight where Arreola needed the extra weight to keep him grounded after Minto continually landed his strongest punches on Arreola’s chin.
After three-plus rounds of barroom brawling, the considerably bigger Arreola dropped Minto for the final time, prompting referee Eddie Cotton to step in and call a halt to the bout.
After the Minto fight, HBO tapped Arreola once again, this time pitting him against the Polish-born, Jersey-based former world champion, Tomasz Adamek. Even though a fight in Newark, New Jersey, Adamek’s home arena, would have drawn about eight thousand or so more fans than Arreola’s home arena in Ontario, California, HBO sent its crew & cameramen to the west coast to watch its fighter take on the aspiring heavyweight.
In advance of his fight with Adamek, Ramirez told the media that he hoped his fighter would weigh in at about 240 pounds — what Ramirez claimed was Arreola’s best fighting weight.
Fat chance, Henry.
Arreola weighed in at a heavy 253 pounds. Having dropped a majority decision to Adamek in front of his hometown fans, Arreola was now clinging to a number ten ranking in Ring Magazine’s top ten heavyweights in the world.
After the Adamek fight, Ramirez informed the media that Arreola had missed multiple days of camp at a time. It showed.
This past Friday night, on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, Arreola (29-2, 25 KO) bested Manuel Quezada (29-6, 18 KO) by unanimous decision.
Coming into the fight, Arreola gave us his same old speech about how hard he worked in prepping for his upcoming bout. This time, Arreola claimed, he only missed two days of training and one of them was because his house almost caught on fire. Further, Arreola stated that Ramirez has had him “boxing” more this camp — working on his skill set.
But just because one is physically at camp does not necessarily translate into a fighter giving everything he has day in and day out during ‘practice.’ At the end of the day, Arreola gained weight during his camp, tipping the scales at 256 pounds for the Quezada fight.
Although Arreola canvassed his opponent on three separate occasions, the “Nightmare” wasn’t able to deliver the finishing blow that people have become accustomed to in Arreola victories. Unable to get Quezada out of there, Arreola had to settle for the unanimous decision in a fight that failed to showcase either Arreola’s power or boxing ability. If possible, while Arreola’s win tally rose, his stock fell.
The choices Arreola have made outside of the ring — whether it be from a dietary or a training standpoint — have not been to his benefit.
But moreso than anything written above, Arreola may have best summed up his attitude toward his career when he said, “If Michael Phelps can smoke pot, why can’t I have a beer?”
When the sun goes down on August 18, 2010, the twice- defeated Arreola will be nursing his broken hand and hopefully be thinking of ways to repair his career.
Arreola decisions Quezada
Chris Arreola scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Manuel Quezada in a Heavyweight bout at the Citizens Business Bank Business Arena in Ontario, California.
Arreola was very busy over most of the fight seemed a bit slow as he came in at 256 pounds. His size and strength plus the volume was too much for Quezada who was very tough in the defeat.
Arreola took the early rounds on punching that wasn’t pretty but came in bunches which started to fatigue both fighters. Quezada was tough and in the middle rounds Quezada started getting in a few shots. Both guys were bleeding with Arreola bleeding from the mouth.
Over the final four rounds, Arreola put a stamp on the bout as he dropped Quezada twice in round nine and once again in the final round. Arreola showed plenty of guts as he told his corner he hurt his hand before the final three minutes.
Arreola dropped Quezada from a big uppercut in round nine from a uppercut and again from a flurry of punches. Arreola sent a tired Quezada to the canvas again from a flurry in the final thirty seconds of the bout.
Arreola, 256 lbs of Riverside, CA won by scores of 118-107; 118-107 and 117-108 to raise his record to 29-2. Quezada, 228 lbs of Wasco, CA is now 29-6.
Josesito Lopez scored an eight round unanimous decision over Marvin Cordova in action filled and competitive Welterweight bout.
Lopez worked the body early in the fight and built up a nice lead on the cards. Despite bleeding from the mouth, Cordova fought very hard in round’s six and seven ad he landed some solid combinations. With the fight possibly on the table, Cordova was deducted a point in the final round for a low blow.
The point was not as costly as first fears because Lopez won by scores of 78-73; 78-73 and 77-74. Lopez, 141 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 27-3. Cordova, 144 lbs of Rocky Ford, CO is 21-2-1.
ESPN cameras in camp with heavyweight Chris Arreola
| Riverside, CA – July 28 – Yesterday was another “consecutive day” in camp for heavyweight world contender Chris Arreola, a training camp which he and his trainer Henry Ramirez are taking a “one day at a time” approach. This training streak reminds Ramirez of the hard work Arreola put in during the early stages of his career, beginning each morning with road work and ending with a hard and complete workout in the gym. The only difference between Arreola’s early success and his new found commitment to training is the ESPN2 camera crew following him around to document a glimpse of his training regiment for a special piece which will air on August 13th as part of the show featuring his highly anticipated match against Manuel Quezada.
Friday night, August 13, Riverside’s Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) will have the opportunity to take his first step towards redemption when he squares of with Bakersfield’s Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) for the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA in the scheduled 12-round ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” main event presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and sponsored by Soboba Casino. “I need to keep my mind focused on taking it one day at a time and not get too proud of the fact that I haven’t missed a day in training for this bout. It’s what I should have done the last two years and I apologize to all of my fans for letting them down. I’ve got a God given talent and I have to nurture it if I want to re-emerge as a true World title contender; there is no other option. Tickets are priced at $79, $59 and $29 (parking included with purchase) and can be purchased at the Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. For more information please visit www.CBBankArena.com. A full card of fights underneath the Arreola-Quezada bout will be announced shortly. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first televised fight starting at 6 p.m. -GTP-
Photo credit: Carlos McHenry/Team Nightmare |
Arreola seems to have finally taken the necessary steps to provide himself with every opportunity to win, which he’ll need against, the hard-working and determined Manuel Quezada in a battle between blood thirsty Mexican heavyweights.
| About Goossen Tutor Promotions After more than a quarter-century Goossen Tutor Promotions is universally recognized as one of the preeminent companies in the sports world and continues to achieve success developing young fighters into world-class stars. Dan Goossen heads Goossen Tutor Promotions with his partner and childhood friend, construction mogul Ron Tutor. In the decades of the 1980s and 1990s, Goossen operated Ten Goose Boxing, named after Dan and his nine siblings. Ten Goose quickly became a mainstay in the Southern California boxing scene developing future stars who went on to become well-known and respected World Champions. Most notable of these were Michael Nunn, Terry Norris and Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas. Goossen also discovered and managed the career of bouncer-turned-actor Mr. T in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Through the years prior to Goossen Tutor Promotions, Goossen promoted the likes of Bernard Hopkins, 1996 Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion David Reid, and in 1998, Goossen signed the then biggest act in show business, “Iron” Mike Tyson to a 5-fight deal. The list of fighters promoted by Goossen Tutor has included James Toney, Vernon Forrest, Wayne McCullough, Robert Guerrero, and the consensus best boxer in the world, “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather. In addition to currently promoting Arreola and Quezada, Goossen Tutor also promotes 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and WBA World Champion, Andre “SOG” Ward; 2-time World Champion and “The Most Feared Fighter in the World” Paul “The Punisher” Williams; WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov; along with fast rising stars in 2008 U.S. Olympians Shawn Estrada and Javier Molina; lightweight World contender John Molina, undefeated Mike Dallas, Jr. and Featherweight World contender Rico Ramos. Building fighters from the ground up to signing and promoting World Champions, Goossen Tutor Promotions has proven through the years they make superstars of their fighters in an honorable and rewarding relationship for them — a fact no one will equal in the promotional business.
About Citizens Business Bank Arena |
NOTES & QUOTES FROM ADAMEK-GRANT PRESS CONFERENCE
By Kyle Kinder
On August 21, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey will play host to “The Big Challenge” fight card, presented by Main Events, Ziggy Promotions and X-Cel Worldwide. The main event will feature North Jersey’s adopted son, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, against “Big” Michael Grant. Adamek (41-1, 27 KO), who is coming off an impressive majority decision victory against heavyweight contender Chris Arreola, will look to continue building his heavyweight resume and retain his IBF International Heavyweight Title when he takes on his 6’7” opponent. Grant (46-3, 34 KO), who has already defeated a Polish icon in Andrew Golota, will look to disappoint a sure to be packed Prudential Center with a victory over Adamek.
The card will also feature a junior middleweight bout between Colombia’s Joel Julio (35-4, 31 KO) and Philadelphia’s Jamaal Davis (12-6, 6 KO). Julio will look to bounce back from a violent KO loss that came at the fists of Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo back in April.
Also fighting on the undercard will be former United States Olympian Sadam Ali (8-0, 4 KO). Most recently, Brooklyn’s Ali defeated Julias Edmonds by third round TKO on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, as part of the Zab Judah-Jose Santa Cruz undercard.
“The Big Challenge” will also feature Paterson, New Jersey’s Jeremy Bryan. The two-time national Golden Gloves Champion, Bryan (13-1, 6 KO), will look to rebound from his only professional, which came back in April.
Adam “Baby Face’ Kownacki and Shemuel Pagan will join Ali as other Brooklyn fighters on the card.
Kownacki (4-0, 4 KO), who was born in Lomza, Poland, will return to the Prudential Center, where he viciously defeated Damon Clement by second round KO less than two weeks ago.
As for Pagan, August 21 will mark the date of his professional debut. The twenty-two year-old is a 5-time New York Golden Gloves Champion and has compiled an impressive amateur record of 85 wins and only 19 defeats.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.PruCenter.com. Tickets are priced at $53, $78, $103, and $253 (ringside).
The bout will also be distributed as a Pay-Per-View card by Integrated Sports Media. It will be available on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network. The price for the event is listed at $29.99.
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NOTES FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE:
Kathy Duva:
“Tomasz is moving along in his career very nicely…This is Tomasz’s first PPV fight in the United States, we are pretty excited about that. His opponent is Michael Grant, 6’7” “Big” Michael Grant. The title of it is “The Big Challenge.” That is what this is going to be for Tomasz…the biggest challenge of his career, as he will fight the biggest opponent of his career.”
Roger Bloodworth: “This is a very important fight for Tomasz…Grant is trained by a very good trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. I haven’t seen Grant’s fights since he last lost (which was in 2003 to Dominick Guinn). He presents a difficult problem in that he’s 6’7”…he’s got a long reach. So what I think you are going to see is a hell of a fight.”
“I don’t want to give you the impression that this is rehearsal because I’m taking Michael Grant very seriously. He needs this fight desperately, so I don’t want to give the impression that he is taken for granted or he is a dress rehearsal. It is going to show us what Tomasz can do against an extremely tall guy.”
“In the heavyweight division, you don’t have tremendous knockout power, but you have to have the ability to hurt people with combinations. Evander Holyfield wasn’t a great one-punch [boxer], but he put enough punches together, he made you quit. That’s the way I see Tomasz. I think eventually he’ll put enough punches together he will make you quit.”
“One advantage of his weight having settled in at 220-222 lbs. is that he is still able to carry his body around. He has very good legs. When you start getting up around 240-250 lbs., sometimes it’s tough.”
*For his last fight, Tomasz Adamek was trained by both Roger Bloodworth and Ronnie Shields. When Bloodworth left camp to train with David Tua, Adamek worked exclusively with Ronnie Shields. This time around, Shields was not figured into the Adamek equation at all.
In an interview with Beats, Boxing, and Mayhem, Ronnie Shields admitted he doesn’t really know why Adamek decided not to work with him again.
“You’ll have to ask his manager Ziggy Rozalski,” Shields explained. “I got a call from someone else [not] Tomasz or Ziggy telling me that he wasn’t coming to Houston. I have no idea what happened.”
I asked Bloodworth about it all and he replied by saying, “It doesn’t have to do with anything except that Tomasz wanted to train up here and Ronnie trains in Houston. Simple as that.”
Tomasz Adamek:
“I’m very excited to come back to the Prudential Center…I think we will make a good fight with Michael Grant, for my fans. I would like to invite everyone to see my fight in Newark. Thank you very much, see you August 21.”
No other boxers spoke at the press conference. Michael Grant attempted to phone in from Las Vegas, but due to technical problems, it was inaudible.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR CRISTOBAL ARREOLA – MANUEL QUEZADA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
Friday, Aug. 13, at Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif.
LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2010) – Tickets, starting at just $29, are on sale for a vitally important showdown between two of California’s most highly regarded heavyweight contenders seeking to become the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.
Riverside’s Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) will square off with Bakersfield rival Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) on Friday, Aug. 13, at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., in a scheduled 12-round main event for the WBC Mexican National Championship presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.
Tickets (parking included with purchase) are available at Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. For more information, please visit www.CBBankArena.com.
Undercard bouts will be announced shortly. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first fight set at 6 p.m. The main event is slated for 8:00 p.m.
The 29-year-old Arreola who challenged world heavyweight kingpin Vitali Klitschko for the WBC crown less than one year ago, is looking to rebound from a hard-fought upset decision loss to Tomasz Adamek in April at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The East Los Angeles native needs to defeat Quezada to re-emerge as a world title contender.
Quezada, 32, is coming off a shocking setback in April to Jason Gavern. The native of Wasco, Calif., Quezada needs a triumph over the hard-hitting Arreola to stay relevant in the heavyweight picture.
The colorful Arreola, who has 25 KOs in 28 career victories, is refocused on his boxing skills after a disappointing performance against Adamek. Quezada, who hasn’t been knocked out since 2003 – his only KO loss – is training under new management with an improved attitude towards achieving his goal of a world title shot.
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For more information on this fight and upcoming events for Goossen Tutor Promotions please visit: www.goossentutor.com and hit us on our YouTube channel, our Facebook fan page GOOSSEN TUTOR BOXING and on twitter.com/GoossenTutor.
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Citizens Business Bank Arena, The venue is the biggest and most modern arena within the Inland Empire, an area with over 4.1 million people. It is located in the City of Ontario, on a 37-acre parcel located between Haven Avenue and Milliken Avenue, Fourth Street and the I-10 Freeway.
ARREOLA-QUEZADA TRANSCRIPT
ARREOLA-QUEZADA TRANSCRIPT
Dan Goossen: I want to welcome everybody on. I know it’s early out here on the West Coast, where this fight is going to be emanating from. You know, HBO’s loss is ESPN’s gain, because 10, 15 years ago, this would have been right up HBO’s and Showtime’s ally to have two hungry heavyweights trying to re-establish themselves into the – the world championship picture and – and to also make history.
I believe this is a history-making fight. And we’ve got the head of ESPN on, and I’m going to ask him to do a little research, if he already hasn’t, which I’m sure he has, but I’m sure in a lot of ways this could be a history-making fight on its own, because I don’t believe there’s ever been two heavyweights at this level or any level, quite frankly, of Mexican descent that have fought one another.
I know that we’ve had a handful of Mexican heavyweights that have tried to establish themselves as world champions and been unsuccessful. But I don’t believe we’ve ever had two fighting each other at any level. So I think in that regard, a lot of history is going to be made on August 13th, but more importantly, and unfortunately in our sport, one or two losses can certainly damage a fighter’s career, so a lot is at stake here.
We’ve got one fighter in Manny Quezada who believes that he’s been in the shadows of Chris Arreola for the last few years and has deserved his right for the big fights. Up until just recently, he had a 17-fight winning streak.
And on the other hand, you’ve got Cristobal Arreola, who a lot of people felt that was on his way to making heavyweight history as a world champion. Well, now it’s a showdown between these two fighters to find out who goes on to try to capture that dream of becoming heavyweight world champion of Mexican descent, the first one in the history of our sport.
It will be a great fight at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, beautiful facility. We hope to have the place packed. I believe that the fans are going to come out. Tickets are very reasonable for everyone. And we’re just looking for a great night of boxing.
On the phone, before I get the fighters to say something, I’d like to bring in the head of programming with ESPN, Doug Loughery, who was the one that really pushed to get this fight made.
Doug?
Doug Loughery: Thanks, Dan.
We’re excited over here at ESPN2 and our long, traditional history on “Friday Night Fights” of bringing fans – fight fans the best fights and excitement. And certainly in this heavyweight division, you know, as I was speaking to your – your press people earlier on in the week, I think as you stated earlier, this is a fight for two gentlemen, two gentlemen of the sport that have to overcome this hurdle in order to advance, you know, recent losses and to see who can move on and upwards in order to get to those bigger, bigger title fights.
So we’re excited here. The platforms of ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3.com will all be taking the fight live at 10 p.m. Eastern. So we’re excited. Citizens Business Bank Arena has been a good venue for our production staff to work at, and I know they do a good job at pushing tickets, as well.
So I leave it up to the two fighters, and hopefully have a great night of fight action, which fans at home and on the Internet and on our Spanish network can all see.
Dan Goossen: Thank you, Doug. And don’t we do a good job of pushing tickets, too, besides CBBA? How do you leave us out of that? Only joking, Doug. Thank you very, very much.
Doug Loughery: Everybody on the staff and Dan does good.
Dan Goossen: Yes.
Manny, why don’t you open up with a little comment and then we’ll put Chris on, and then we’ll open it up for Q&A?
Manuel Quezada: All right. Hey, everybody. Thank you for having me on. And I’m excited about the fight. I can’t wait to, you know, to get it on, you know what I mean, get out there and do what we do.
Dan Goossen: And what does this fight mean to you, Manny, finally getting this – I know you’ve been – you’ve been talking about getting Arreola in that ring with you. What does it mean to you right now?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, it means everything. You know, this is the fight – you know, this is my biggest fight for sure, so it means everything, and I’ll be ready.
Dan Goossen: All right. Great.
Cristobal, it’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked. I’d like to have you say a few words.
Cristobal Arreola: Hey, what’s going on, everybody? You know, I’m just happy to be fighting again. But, you know, I know this is Manny’s Super Bowl. This is his big fight. And I’m sure he’s going to train his ass off, you know, to try to knock my block off, but, you know, I’m – I know what I have to do to win. And the only person (I can beat) is myself, and I’ve done that (two times already), and I’m tired of beating myself.
So now it’s time, like Henry said, to get my head out of my ass and beat some ass.
Dan Goossen: All right, Cris, Operator, let’s open it up for Q&A, please.
Operator: At this time, I would like to remind everyone, in order to ask a question, press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. We’ll pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster.
The first question comes from the line of (David Avila).
Dan Goossen: Hey, David.
(David Avila): Hey, everybody. How are you all doing?
Dan Goossen: Good.
(David Avila): First up, this question is for Manuel Quezada. I know that you guys have probably sparred together. What was it like the first time you and Chris sparred?
Manuel Quezada: Yes, we sparred a couple times, but nothing serious. You know, he was always getting ready for his fight, and I would come up and give him a couple rounds of, you know, just some movement, just so he can head off to his fight, man. So it was nothing serious, and then for sure he’s a tough fighter. You know, he’s a tough guy, and he’s a big puncher, and he’s always bringing the pressure.
(David Avila): And, Chris, you mentioned that you’ve beaten yourself. Do you – what was it that held you back in your fight against Adamek?
Cristobal Arreola: You know, like, the fight with – especially with Adamek, man, like, I really shot myself in the foot. You know, I cut some corners. Actually, I cut a lot of corners.
Like I said before, you know, my promoter and my trainer and my managers, they’ve always been there for me and with me, and, you know, I didn’t reciprocate what they put in, in the gym and in the office and stuff.
So, you know, what I have to do now is just basically do what I’m supposed to be doing and actually listen to Henry and try to do whatever the hell he tells me to do.
But, you know, this fight, it is – it is a make-me-or-break-me kind of fight, you know? It’s for both of us, you know? This is – this is our opportunity to showcase ourselves.
And as far as that sparring with Manny, it really doesn’t mean anything, because one thing’s sparring and another thing’s a fight. You know, some people rise to the sparring and some people rise to a fight, and now – and I’m a fighting kind of guy.
(Ryan Burton): My first question is for Manny. Manny, let’s look at your last fight with Gavern. What exactly went wrong in that fight?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, man, that fight was just – it was an off night for me. You know, three months – plain and simple, it was just an off night. And then, you know, on the second round, I got a head butt, which caused a cut, and that really kind of affected me throughout the fight, you know, so…
(Ryan Burton): And, Chris, how’s the hand feeling? I know you injured it in the fight with Adamek.
Cristobal Arreola: Well, I feel my hand – my hand’s a lot better. It was – it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, so my hand’s good. You know, I was back to full contact about three weeks ago, so I’m good. I’m good with my hand, thank you.
(Ryan Burton): And do you think this will be the hungriest we’ll have seen you in the ring in a while?
Cristobal Arreola: Oh, yes, definitely, man. It’s just – I just hate looking back at some fights and knowing that I should have, could have, would have, but I didn’t. And now it’s time for me to come in there and just put a statement.
Dan Goossen: Manny, while we’re waiting for that next question, let me ask you one question. On the Gavern fight, you mentioned that it was an off night. Mentally and physically, did you do what you’re going to do in preparation for the Arreola fight?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, no. You know what? I’m going to do way more for this fight. I mean, it’s a bigger fight, of course, and it’s a tougher opponent, definitely, but, you know, I took Gavern a little lightly, you know what I mean? We didn’t train as hard. And mainly, you know, like I said, we went into the fight feeling good, and we just – it was just an off night, you know what I mean? That head butt just made it even worse.
(Ray Markarian): Hey, Manny and Chris. I had a question for you guys. Actually, first, for Manny, Manny, we talked a couple times in the past after some of your wins, especially after the Travis Walker win, and we talked about maybe when you were going to fight Chris Arreola. And now that it’s here, after a loss, do you feel like it’s kind of bad timing for you? Or do you feel like – how do you feel about that?
Manuel Quezada: Sorry. What was the question?
(Ray Markarian): How do you feel about the timing of the fight with Chris Arreola right now? I mean, you’re – you were pretty confident after the Travis Walker victory and your other victories, and you had always talked about fighting Arreola, but now that it’s here, how do you feel about the timing of it?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, no, the timing’s OK. You know – you know, a fighter should be ready to fight any time they tell them to fight, you know what I mean? You know, the Gavern fight, it is what it is. You know, we can’t go back on it. You know, I know I can beat that guy. So, you know, like I said, I’m excited about this fight. You know, we’ll be ready to fight.
Dan Goossen: As well as he should be, Ray. I mean, this is – obviously, the winner of this puts himself right back in the thick of the heavyweight world championship, you know, picture.
(Ray Markarian): Right. So this is basically a make-or-break fight for both guys.
Dan Goossen: Well, you know, I don’t want to go that far of saying make-or-break, but both of them are exciting, aggressive fighters, which is what’s been missing in American heavyweight boxing, and they immediately establish themselves right back into the title picture, and at the levels that, you know, every fighter fights for, and that’s the premium channel networks, because of their fan base and because of their excitement.
(Ray Markarian): All right, Chris, I don’t know if you answered this or not, but I wanted to know pretty much what your mindset is going into this fight. I know, you know, you’ve fought in a lot bigger fights than this in the past. Like, what’s your mindset going into this fight?
Cristobal Arreola: You know, like I said before, you know, this fight’s important because I have to prove myself. I have to put a statement on this fight. And I’ve got to make sure that I come in here and make a statement.
You know, I’m out here to win a fight, as he is. And, you know, regardless of who it is, what the venue is, or – or what channel it’s on, I don’t care, man. I’m there to fight, and I’m there to put on a show. And this time, it’s my job to put on a good show and a great statement on this fight.
You know, every fight’s important to me. It doesn’t matter who it is. You know, I respect Manny, but, you know, come the 13th, you know, I’m going to hate the motherfucker. You know, and then after that, I’ll give him a hug and let’s go have some beers.
But right now, I respect him. Come the day of the fight, I’m going to hate him. After that, then it’s time for me to think about what’s going to happen after.
(Daniel Olea): Hey, I have a question for you. Do you feel after your loss for the championship – do you feel this is your last chance to be the first – you know, becoming the first champion of Mexican descent?
Cristobal Arreola: I definitely believe that this is a very important fight. And this kind of a – whether we want to say it or not, you know, it’s kind of a make-or-break kind of fight. You know, it is going to be a tough road after this. Whoever loses, it’s going to be a tough road to get back into it.
And my job in here is to win this fight and to take care of history, you know? This is the first time that – I’m almost positive that, you know, this is going to happen, you know, that two fighters of Mexican descent or any descent to basically kind of knock each other off just to make a history of their own.
(Eddie Goldman): Thank you very much. Hello, everybody. First question for Chris, Chris, you said that you beat yourself in the fights with Klitschko and Adamek. Do you think that you need to make a change not only just in your training, but in your lifestyle and all that? You’re still a young guy, especially with the heavyweight division, only 29 years old. What changes in your lifestyle do you think you have to make, other than just getting more motivated?
Cristobal Arreola: Well, definitely you have to make a lot – change your lifestyle. You know, sometimes you’ve just got to weed out the people that are bad influence on you and the people that, you know, tell you, OK, that’s all right, that’s all right, you’ll be OK, you’ve just got to tell them, you know what? It’s not OK. And, you know, my career is more important than just hanging out with you or whatever it is.
You know, of course, that’s one of the main things that you’ve got to do. And luckily for me, you know, like you said, I am a young fighter. I am a young heavyweight. And I’ve been able to make those changes, and I’m now – it’s time for me to showcase it inside this fight.
(Eddie Goldman): Are you starting to make changes in your nutrition and your diet? Because I know you’d joke about, you know, beer and burgers and things like that, which is fine if you’re not a fighter, but…
Cristobal Arreola: As far as a beer, you know, I always cut beer like six (seconds) before a fight. That’s not the hard part. Honestly, the hard part for me is, when it comes late at night after I get home from a hard day at the gym, there’s no point in me working out if I’m going to go home and then have a big-ass burger. You know, that’s the main thing.
And now, you know, thank God for carryout. I’ll call P.F. Chang’s and give me some – give me some grilled salmon or whatever it is, you know? So that’s one of the main things that I’ve been changing a lot.
(Eddie Goldman): OK. And, Manny, a question for you, also. With Chris’ disappointing performances in those big fights, how motivated do you think he’s going to be in this fight after those – after those two major losses?
Manuel Quezada: Yes, no, he’ll be very motivated. Like he says, he’s a fighter. And, you know, I know Chris. And everybody knows Chris. And the one thing about him, he comes to fight, you know, no matter what happens in training camp or what. When it’s time to fight, he shows up. So he’ll be very motivated.
(Eddie Goldman): Did you see anything in his fights with Klitschko or Adamek, that – any weaknesses that he had that you could take advantage of, other than, you know, the – him defeating himself and the lack of training?
Manuel Quezada: No. You know what? If he’s ready to fight, it’s going to be a tough fight for us, you know? If he does what he has to do in training camp, you know, it’s going to be a tough fight, like I said.
You know, I don’t really see much weaknesses, you know, except he wasn’t ready to fight.
(Gabriel Montoya):Good afternoon, gentlemen, or good morning. My first question is for Manny. This is basically what Chris said, your Super Bowl. You’re coming off a loss. You’re familiar with Chris. You’ve sparred with him. You’ve seen him in fights. You know him. Are you going to do anything different to prepare for this fight? And can you just speak to just how important this fight is for you?
Manuel Quezada: No, this is a very important fight for me. This is my biggest fight. You know, like I said, you can say that, and you can say it’s my Super Bowl. You know, I haven’t fought in a bigger fight than this, but, you know, I’ll be ready to fight. You know, I’m always at the gym, you know, and, you know, we got a new camp, you know, I got a new trainer, and I’m feeling great, man, and I’ll be ready to fight.
(Gabriel Montoya):Can you take anything from the Adamek fight? I mean, you like to move and use some angles, and with your martial arts background, you’re an intelligent fighter. What can you take from the Adamek fight, if anything at all, into this fight?
Manuel Quezada: Not a whole lot. Like I said, you know – and everybody knows, you know, Chris wasn’t ready that fight. You know, his training wasn’t, you know, what it should have been. And I know for this fight, I know he’ll be back, he’ll be hungrier, and it’s going to be a tough fight, you know? We’ve just got to be ready to fight.
(Gabriel Montoya): My next question is for Chris. How are you doing today, Chris?
Cristobal Arreola: Pretty good, (Gabriel). How you doing?
(Gabriel Montoya): I’m doing good, man. I know you know that I have a lot of respect for you, so I’m just going to be straight to the point. You’ve – like you said, you cut a lot of corners in the Adamek fight, and now you’re fighting on ESPN against, you know, a different level of opponent, you know, no disrespect to anybody here.
But if you couldn’t get motivated for that fight and you cut corners in that fight, how are the fans supposed to believe that you’re not going to cut corners in this fight?
Cristobal Arreola: Because, honestly, I’m going to say, you know, for once, I’ve got content, man. I was content. And I was like thinking that – just do enough just to get by.
And that hunger just came back. It’s back, man. I’m hungry. I’m hungry, man. I want to win. I hate losing. And I think I have a lot to prove, not only to myself, but to the fans and to everybody that doesn’t believe in me and stuff like that or anybody that doubts me. You know, I just have to prove everybody wrong and myself.
You know, I’ve got to prove it to myself that I am the fighter that I believe I am, that I – that I can become a world champion. You know, I’ve got to prove it to myself, and that’s the main thing, man. I have – I have a lot to prove, man.
And just like – you know, like that song by Eminem, you know, I’m not afraid, man. I’m not afraid. And it’s time for me to, you know, to take care of my business and do what I’m supposed to do, man.
(Gabriel Montoya): Do you think on some level there is a little bit of like – like a fear of success, like if you gave your all and then it wasn’t good enough, that that would be too much, and so – and there’s a little bit of self-sabotage there, at least (inaudible) is that too deep? I’m sorry.
Cristobal Arreola: Yes. No, no, no, no, it’s not deep. (It’s absolutely the – it’s absolutely true, man). And – and (there’s a reason that thing) where you, you know (inaudible) I did enough, you know? And then that way if you do, do give it your call and then you lose, and you’re like, man, I gave it all and I still lost, you know, now I’ve got an excuse why I lost.
And I guess you’re right (inaudible) sabotage, you know. It’s – I feel like I’m talking to my therapist now. But I (inaudible) man. When I was a kid – when I was a kid, I didn’t even want to dress nice, because then I’ll feel like a dummy.
(Gabriel Montoya): No, I hear you, man. Well, thank you, gentlemen. Good luck to both of you. I look forward to the fight. I think it’s going to be a great one.
Cristobal Arreola: Thank you, bro.
Manuel Quezada: Thanks.
Cristobal Arreola: By the way, that was the best question anybody asked.
Operator: Next question comes from the line of (Karl Freitag).
(Karl Freitag): Hey, everybody. Hey, Manny, you said this fight is everything for you. And Chris kind of implied that you’re going to be just another opponent for him. Does that give you any extra motivation or do you want to really show him something because of that?
Manuel Quezada: No, no, no extra motivation, man. We’re motivated for this fight. You know, like he is, I am, we’re fighters, and we’ll be ready to fight that day, you know what I mean? But, you know, it’s true what he says, you know? To him, I’m another opponent. You know, it don’t matter who I am or – you know, I mean, he’s fought some of the best. You know, he fought the best, you know what I mean?
So, I mean, what can I say? You know, I can’t blame him for thinking that way, you know what I mean?
(Karl Freitag): And what do you think?
Cristobal Arreola: To me – to me – sorry to cut anybody off – every fight is just another fight to me, so every fight – every fight is important, it doesn’t matter what it is. I’m not (inaudible) at all, and I’m not saying that he’s just a regular Joe Schmoe. I’m just – if you guys go back to every one of my interviews, you know, every fight is important to me, and every fight (inaudible) to me.
(Karl Freitag): Hey, Cris, you think you might be overconfident for this fight?
Cristobal Arreola: Do I sound confident?
(Karl Freitag): Overconfident.
Cristobal Arreola: No.
(Karl Freitag): I mean, are you underestimating him?
Cristobal Arreola: Do I sound like I’m overestimating him
Henry Ramirez: Excuse me. I need to jump in. There’s no way Chris is going to overlook Manuel Quezada. You know, Manny is working with (Robert Garcia), a well-respected trainer. I expect the best Manuel Quezada that’s going to be possible. And in that regard, I’m going to prepare the best Chris I can – I can prepare for this fight.
Manny is not being overlooked. He’s not being disrespected by me, by Chris, anybody in our camp.
Dan Goossen: That’s Henry Ramirez, Arreola’s trainer.
(Karl Freitag): Hey, Manny – so, Manny, do you think you’re going to win this fight? Are you going to predict a win for sure?
Manuel Quezada: I’m not going to predict nothing, man. I’m going to predict it’s going to be a great fight. That’s what I’m going to predict for sure.
Dan Goossen: I’ve been trying to get Manny to predict something for (inaudible) years.
(Karl Freitag): Well, I think we all agree it’s going to be a great fight. Thanks a lot.
(Jake Donovan): Hey, my question is for Chris. Chris, I just want to know, what point in your career do you think was the high point of your career? And then, at what point do you feel like things started to – I don’t want to say fall part, but what you said, where you just got to the point and you started beating yourself and, like, started cutting corners in your training and all that.
Cristobal Arreola: What part do I believe was the height of my career?
(Jake Donovan): Yes, sir.
Cristobal Arreola: I think – you know what? I can’t call what part as much as that was the height, that was also my lowest part of my career, so (inaudible) that part right there, you know, that part is just – as much as my balloon was inflated, it deflated just as bad.
(Jake Donovan): OK. Maybe I was trying to rephrase it. At what point in your career did you feel like that you would be able to get away with cutting corners and still be one of the best heavyweights in the world, not when you realize that you could but just when you, you know, began doing it like on a regular basis?
Cristobal Arreola: No, I believe it was after that fight. You know, I – I got content – I’m not going to lie. And it definitely has to be after that fight.
And that after – right after the fight with Adamek, that’s when I – you know what, dude? I’m going about this the wrong way, and I need to make a change.
(Jake Donovan): OK. I know it’s not by choice, but, I mean, with you, you’re still in line to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win the heavyweight championship and you’re also one of the few American heavyweights out there that can actually, you know, get people interested, just because of your natural charisma. Do you feel a sense of responsibility that you – you know, this is the time that you absolutely need to step it up?
Cristobal Arreola: Yes, absolutely, man. You know, it kind of bugs me to know what I’ve done, and I kind of feel like I almost – I disrespected the sport by everything that I’ve done (inaudible) coming fully prepared as much as I should be.
I disrespected Dan. I disrespected Henry, Al, and especially, you know, HBO, whenever they gave me the opportunity. And it’s – you know what? I have to prove a lot. And, you know, I’m not the only one that’s (inaudible) to make history. So is Manny. You know, he’s a Mexican himself, in case you didn’t know. And – and I know that he’s going to come in here, you know, to prove himself also to be worthy of a title shot.
(Jake Donovan): All right, cool. Thanks for your honesty, Chris. Looking forward to seeing you next month.
(Dan Cesarez): Hello. Question for Manny. Well, first of all, hello there, gentlemen. Thank you for your time. Manny, I know we’ve spoken in the past, and I’ve seen you around, and you’ve been – I’ve actually seen you ask your management team for the bigger fights. You were upset in April over here in Lemoore.
Manuel Quezada: Oh, we’re prepared. And we’re going to get prepared, you know, even more, you know? I have a good camp, good trainers, and, you know, we’re just going to go out there to fight, you know what I mean, try to pull up an upset, you know? I know I’m the underdog in this fight, and we’re just going to do our best.
(Dan Cesarez): Well, how much are you thinking about this, you being the underdog? I mean, that’s not the way you normally go into a fight, thinking, hey, I’m the underdog here. I mean, if I lose…
Manuel Quezada: No, I’m a fighter, and I’m going to go out and fight, you know what I mean? But I know, you know – I know the word around is – is that I’m – you know, I’m not at his level and stuff, so I’ll be ready to fight.
(Dan Cesarez): When you faced Gavern in April, I think you had said something to the effect in Lemoore that you might have underestimated him. Do you recall anything like that? How about this fight here?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, yes, definitely. You know, that fight was – you know, was an off night for me. I took him a little lightly. And, you know, and then, like I said, the cut and the head butt didn’t help.
But, no, this fight – you know, for sure, I know what this fight means, man, so I’ll definitely be ready for this fight.
(Dan Cesarez): Are you training in Oxnard still?
Manuel Quezada: Yes, I’m up in Oxnard right now, you know, so training.
(Dan Cesarez): So you’re spending any time in Bakersfield for this fight? You’re just staying over there? Is that…
Manuel Quezada: Yes, I’m up in Oxnard until the fight.
(Dan Cesarez): Got you. OK.
And a question for Chris. Chris, I know that you’re getting some flak today, and so I’ve got to ask you the same question. Is this fight going to take you back on the road to where you want to be?
Cristobal Arreola: Oh, yes.
(Dan Cesarez): And who do you want to see by the end of the year?
Cristobal Arreola: Excuse me. Who do I want to see what?
(Dan Cesarez): And who do you want to face by the end of the year?
(Dan Cesarez): With this fight here, should you come out with the victory, who do you want to face by the end of the year?
Cristobal Arreola: You know, first of all, I’ve got to take care of – make sure that I win this fight. That’s a very important fight for me. This is a very important fight. This is something that I really needed. I really needed a kick in the ass like this, and I really need a kick – a fight to prove something.
You know, I respect Manny, but like I said before, come the 13th, I’m going to hate him. But first of all, you know, I want to make sure that I take care of business on the 13th, and that’s my job, and that’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.
(Dan Cesarez): You’re not whispering any other names into your manager’s ear?
Cristobal Arreola: No, at all, I can’t.
Cristobal Arreola: You know, you don’t overlook a fight like Manny. You know, you don’t overlook someone that’s as hungry as Manny is. You don’t overlook something like that. So this fight right here is an important fight for me, period.
Dan Goossen: Henry, I’m going to give you the – the podium for a minute, because I know most of the questions have been directed to Cris and to Manny, so why don’t you give us a little sound bite?
Henry Ramirez: Like I was saying before, look, this is a fight of great consequence for both guys. We have both guys who are desperate for a win. Obviously, the fighter moves – the winner moves on, and, you know, kind of the loser, you know, really takes a step back.
Chris is prepared. He’s preparing properly. We’re a month out, and I like where we’re at. I expect the best Manny Quezada to show up on August 13th. You know, he’s training with Robert Garcia, well respected trainer. I know he’s going to be in great shape. It should do something for his confidence.
But, ultimately, I just know the kind of guy that Chris is. And I don’t doubt he’s going to win on August 13th.
Dan Goossen: OK. And, Manny, why don’t you have a closing comment?
Manuel Quezada: No, I just – you know, I’m excited about the fight, you know? I can’t wait. And I know – you know, I know Chris and Henry, and I know they’re going to do their job, and I’m going to see the best Chris that I can possibly see August 13th.
Dan Goossen: Is this the first time you’ve gone to a training camp, Manny?
Manuel Quezada: Oh, yes, first time, and I feel good about it, you know. Like Henry says, you know, I’ve got Robert Garcia. He’s a good trainer. And, you know, I’m excited about this.
Dan Goossen: Hey, and, Chris, closing comment?
Cristobal Arreola: You know, just my main comment is – my statement is going to be made on August 13th. That’s it.
Dan Goossen: All right. Thank you, Chris.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday. They’re priced at $29, $59, and $79, which includes parking, which is one of the reasons why you’ve got an odd number like that. So very nice. We got a full slate of fights, including in the semi main event, which we’ll send out a release shortly on, Josesito Lopez against Marvin Cordova, Jr. So that’ll be an interesting fight in itself, as we know Josesito Lopez is also from Riverside, a stablemate of Cris’, and also trained by Henry Ramirez.
Anybody that needs any other questions answered, credentials, (BZA) will be handling the credentialing. And, obviously, you can go to (Marilyn) and ask her any questions you need as far as interviews.
I appreciate everyone getting on, especially the fighters. Thank you again. And to ESPN and Doug Loughery, I really believe this is one of their biggest fights, although not a world title fight, certainly going to be one of the most highest profile fights they’ve had in years.
END
HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN: ARREOLA AND QUEZADA BATTLE FOR MEXICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
AUGUST 13 AT CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO, CA AND TELEVISED ON ESPN2
Los Angeles, CA (July 13, 2010) – The similarities are many, almost eerily so. Both are heavyweights. Both are from California. Both are members of the Goossen Tutor boxing stable. Both have dreams of becoming the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Both are coming off bitterly disappointing defeats in fights they were both favored to win. Neither can afford another loss. And now both will fight each other.
On Friday night, August 13, both big men will come together at the end of a collision course when Riverside’s Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) and Bakersfield’s Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) meet inside the ropes at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA in the scheduled 12-round ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” main event for the Mexican National Championship presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions. The winner will redeem himself from his recent setback and re-emerge as a true world title contender; the loser will likely see his world championship aspirations – and opportunity to make heavyweight history – come to an end.
“This main event bout has two fighters who need to over come the challenge from a recent loss in order to advance and set themselves apart in the heavy weight division. We are pleased to be working with goosen tutor event and look forward to a great event and crowd” said Doug Loughrey, boxing program director for ESPN.
The 29-year old Arreola, a native of East LA who — as the top-ranked contender — got his first opportunity at heavyweight history in an ill-fated title shot against WBC champion Vitali Klitschko last September, will be returning to the scene of his HBO-televised loss to Tomasz Adamek back in April. Arreola says he is determined to not disappoint his fans – again – and that he can and will perform at the levels of a world- class athlete; and that he is a much better fighter than he exhibited against his Polish foe; and is the best Mexican heavyweight in the world. Arreola promises to return to his roots that brought him success: a mental determination to go back to basics in the boxing gym and conditioning; more on old-time training with emphasis on more combination power punching and better stamina.
“I have no one to blame but myself,” Arreola admitted of his subpar performance against Adamek. “Everything is on my shoulders. We spent a lot more time on my conditioning and didn’t do a lot of pad work and, as Henry pointed out, my combination count has gone down a big amount. So that is one thing that I’m going to have to work on.
“This fight is a dream-ender for either Quezada or me,” Arreola theorized. “I know I have to win the fight; there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it if I am going to get another world title shot. I have to prove myself again and get back into contention. And I know I have fought better competition than he has so as much as we are alike, that level of competition separates us. My two losses came to a world champion and a former world champion. He hasn’t fought anyone like that, or me.”
“We’re gonna cut back on the conditioning drills,” trainer Henry Ramirez said. “Obviously he’s gonna continue to run, but we don’t want to get to the point where the strength and conditioning work negates his boxing skills. We want him busting his butt in the gym with more focus on boxing, where it always should have been.”
For Wasco native Quezada, 32, his motivation for beating Arreola comes from a different source. Quezada, who was ranked as high as #4 in the WBC, feels he has fought in the shadow of Arreola, undeservingly so. Consequently, Quezada lost his drive and focus in the gym in preparing for what resulted in an unexpected April loss of his WBC CABOFE Heavyweight Championship to journeyman and heavyweight spoiler Jason Gavern.
“It was my fault, completely my fault,” Quezada, sounding like Arreola, admitted regarding his upset loss to Gavern. “Coming into the fight I didn’t train like I should have. I kind of took him lightly and it showed. In the fight I sustained a cut from a head-butt and I’d never been cut in my career. I worried about that and got away from my game. But it will never happen again.
With new management and attitude, Quezada feels he finally has everything in place, including Arreola in the opposite corner to cast out the shadows on August 13, getting the fight he has been seeking the past two years.
“Arreola got a world title shot and with a victory for me on August 13, then I’ll get one,” Quezada stated. “It’s very important for me to beat him. Don’t get me wrong, Arreola is a tough guy. I know him; he comes to fight, but so do I. I can’t worry about what he’s doing. I have to care about what I’m doing: Keep fighting, keep winning and eventually I’ll get my shot.”
“There is no more important time in heavyweight boxing today then August 13. One of these two Mexican-American’s will provide America with hope of bringing the World Championship and respect back to the United States ending the World Championship domination of the European fighters in the heavyweight division.
Tickets are priced at $79, $59 and $29 (parking included with purchase) and can be purchased at the Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. For more information please visit www.CBBankArena.com. A full card of fights underneath the Arreola-Quezada bout will be announced shortly. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first fight set at 6 p.m. The main event is slated for 7:15 p.m.
Arreola to face Quezada on August 13 on ESPN 2
By Marc Abrams
According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world Heavyweight title challenger, Chris Arreola will take on fellow Mexican-American Heavyweight Manuel Quezada on August 13 in a bout that will take place at the Citizens Business Bank Center in Ontario, California.
The bout will be braodcasted on ESPN 2.
“This fight is an opportunity for Cris to jump back into the thick of things with a win,” Dan Goossen, who promoted both Arreola & Quezada said. “And this is something Quezada has been asking for for quite awhile. He’s been asking to fight Cris. He feels like he’s taken a backseat to Cris and he thinks he’s just as interesting and aggressive and exciting as Cris is in the ring. I know that Cris has never had any problem fighting Manny, but it never worked out that way the last few years. Now, obviously, here it is. They’re both coming off very disappointing losses and they need to win this one.”
“Cris has to perform and also this is Manny’s big shot,” Said Henry Ramirez, who trains Arreola. “You’ve got two guys whose backs are against the wall, my guy and Manny. Whoever loses is basically done. But I’m hoping Cris knows his back is against the wall. Manny is a tough guy. I like Manny a lot and I respect him a lot. I know him well. He’s a good friend of mine. But Cris has been in the gym and sparring for about a week.
“I think Cris knows the only way to get back to those paydays he had and to get back into the limelight is for him to take the fight seriously and to pull his head out of his ass. Is it pulled out yet? Little by little it’s coming out. For this fight he hasn’t missed any workouts — yet. But I know Cris. Let’s see if he can take this seriously.”
“Our conversations with HBO, as it relates to the heavyweight division, is if you’re not out there giving 100 percent and showing that aggressive style and the ability to draw fans and ratings, that it’s a hard road back to HBO, and Cris knows that,” Goossen said. “I believe the winner of this fight comes right into a fight with Adamek, either a rematch for Cris or a shot for Manny. Cris would love to have that rematch and Manny would love to pull the upset on Aug. 13 and jump into Cris’ shoes.
“I think Aug. 13 is a springboard to having one of the fighters come out and say, ‘I’m ready to take on everybody and to do it in tip-top shape.’ ”
Arreola is 28-2 with twenty-five knockouts. Quezada is 29-5 with eighteen knockouts.
Adamek – Arreola 2?
By Anson Wainwright
Just a week after he lost a gruelling Heavyweight fight Chris Arreola was in Las Vegas to watch the Welterweight Super fight between Floyd Mayweather & Shane Mosley. When asked about where he goes next Arreola told me that he will be having a rematch with Tomasz Adamek in New Jersey at the end of August.
It seems a logical fight, both guys were well matched and can make good money in a rematch. It’s also interesting that the fight will go to the East coast where Adamek is extremely popular. Arreola lost a majority decision by scores 117-111 & 115-113 against 114-114. Though he hurt Adamek on several occasions.
Adamek proves he belongs amongst the Heavyweight elite
By Anson Wainwright (ringside)
On Saturday night from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California in front of 6,256 patrons the pride of Poland Tomasz “Goral” Adamek 41-1(27) proved he belongs amongst the Heavyweight elite when he posted a majority decision over hometown favourite Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola 28-2(25) in his second defence of the IBF International Heavyweight title.
Both guys came out in the first round and took a look at the other for a minute or so, by the end of the round both guys had exchanged several blows as they looked to make a statement of intent. The second saw Arreola bring lots of pressure and by the end of the round it was noticeable that Adamek’s left cheek was growing redder and a little swollen. Adamek has evolved from his days in the Light Heavyweight division and more recently Cruiserweight where he was more of a seek and destroy fighter, at Heavyweight he knows he has to fight smarter and that’s what he started to do in the third when he gave Arreola movement and picked away at the local native, landing one eye catching left hand. The fourth was similar with Arreola starting to bleed from his nose. One thing Arreola can never be criticised of is showing heart and in the fifth he let it all hang out when his pressure finally told as he rocked Adamek twice, Adamek showed he too isn’t lacking in heart too when he managed to see his way through both barrages of punches. In the sixth frame Adamek again stayed away from Arreola’s vaunted power only to be rocked late on. After some frenetic action both guys took things a little easier in the seventh which only set them up for a big finish. Adamek won the eighth & ninth with his skills. The topsy turvy nature of the fight swung back Arreola’s way when he managed to walk Adamek into a monster right hand, the tough New Jersey based Pole wouldn’t be denied and some how stayed on his feet and away from Arreola’s desperate late charge in the twelfth.
When the scores were in Tony Crebs scored it 114-114 but was outvoted by Barry Druxman & Joseph Pasquale 115-113 & 117-111 respectively for Adamek. The 117-111 looked a little of base. 15rounds.com scored it 115-113 Adamek from Ringside.
Afterwards thankfully there was no trouble as both sets of fans disbursed the auditorium.
At the Post fight press conference it was revealed Arreola had hurt his hand in the fifth and it got worse in the ninth or tenth. Though he graciously acknowledged that he had no problem with the decision.
Dan Goossen said he’d like a rematch but Kathy Duva said if so this time it would have to take place in New Jersey. Kathy Duva continued adding that HBO want Adamek back on the airwaves in the fall.
Fellow Heavyweight contender Tony Thompson who attended the fight and then visited the press conference asked if he could fight Adamek next to which he was told only in New Jersey.
In chief support Alfredo “Perro” Angulo upped his record to 18-1(15) when he stopped the very game Joel “The Love Child” Julio 35-4(31) at 1.39 of the eleventh round to retain his Interim WBO Light Middleweight title. Angulo did what he does best he kept coming while Julio backed up and potshoted from the outside landing his share of punches swelling Angulo’s face. By the middle rounds Angulo had started to take the steam out of Julio and charged after him. Finally when the fight looked heading for the cards Angulo landed a monster right hand that dropped Julio. To his credit the game Colombian got to his feet but Benjie Esteves had seen enough and waved of the fight, which in some people’s eye was a little early. A disgruntled Julio was pacing the ring less then 30 seconds and clearly thought it was premature.
At the time of the stoppage Angulo was up 96-94 on Adelaide Byrd’s card & 97-93 on both Pat Russell & Steve Morrow’s cards. All three judges had given Angulo the last three rounds prior to the stoppage.
Punch stats showed Angulo had thrown 880 and landed 167 a 19% accuracy while Julio had thrown 762 landing 175 a 23% hit rate.
Afterwards Gary Shaw said he’d like to match his man Angulo with Miguel Cotto if he beats Yuri Foreman or Antonio Margarito if Margarito beats Roberto Garcia.
In an 8 round Super Bantamweight fight Rico “Suavecito upped his ledger to 16-0(9) when he out pointed Reynaldo Lopez 29-9-2(21) from Colombia 80-70, 79-71 & 78-72. Lopez was down at the end of both the second and seventh rounds.
Californian Chris Avalos 16-0(13) continued his impressive form bludgeoning Colombian John Alberto Molina 27-13-3(18) into defeat when Molina retired in his corner after two rounds. With the win Avalos picks up the vacant WBO NABO bantamweight title.
John Molina Jr 19-1(15) impressively stopped Cuban Jose Antonio Izquierdo 17-6-1(14) at 2.55 of the second round in a scheduled eight round fight at Lightweight.
In Light Middleweight action Raul Rodriguez 2-4-1 and Marquise Bruce who was making his debut fought to a majority draw over four stanzas.
Natu Visinia moved to 4-0(3) when he won a four round technical decision over debutant Geovani Sarran at Heavyweight.
Also at Heavyweight Nate James 3-0(1) won a split decision over Alvaro Morales 4-7-5(0).
In attendance were new Middleweight king Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard & Lennox Lewis who worked the broadcast for HBO.
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