08.02.08 – By James Slater: Unbeaten 26-year-old heavyweight contender Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola continues making steady progress. Currently 22-0(20) the California native fights again this Saturday (Feb 9th) and once again it is against an opponent that he is expected to defeat. Cliff “Twin Tyson” Couser, though he can be dangerous (just ask Monte Barrett), is expected to lose to the rugged Arreola when they meet on the under-card of Paul Williams’s fight with Carlos Quintana. What the fans want, is for Arreola to make the move up into world class. Happily, I can report that that is just what Chris plans on doing this year.
Speaking to me over the phone yesterday, Arreola spoke of his future plans, his fight with Couser, and other things..
James Slater: Thanks for speaking to me so close to your next fight, Chris. Firstly, how did training go for the Cliff Couser fight?
Chris Arreola: No problem. Training went very well. Sparring was great, I sparred around 100 rounds for this fight. I like sparring, I learn a lot from it. For this fight I was working with Kevin Montiy, who is a big guy – around 6’5″. I never knew I was fighting Cliff Couser, who is a short guy at around 5’11”. But, hey, it doesn’t matter.
J.S: Have you even watched tapes of Couser then?
C.A: No. I never watch tapes of an opponent. I leave all that to my coach. I trust my coach to devise a game-plan for each opponent.
J.S: Couser can be dangerous, as he proved when stopping Monte Barret a while back. You won’t be underestimating him?
C.A: No sir. I never underestimate any opponent. I mean, every guy I fight now wants to be the one to remove the 0 from my record, to be the first to beat me. So, no, I take no-one light.
J.S: What weight do you think you’ll enter the ring at on Saturday?
C.A: The low 240s. My ideal and comfortable weight is around 235-240.
J.S: How pleased are you to be boxing on the Paul Williams card?
C.A: I really appreciate the opportunity. This will be the third time I have been on a Paul Williams card, and I’m thankful for that. But, now, I want to be the main attraction. I want to be the headliner.
J.S: You had quite an active year last year, with four fights. Will you be just as active in 2008?
C.A: Yes. I like being active, I like pleasing the fans. I plan on having five or six fights this year.
J.S: Are there any names that you want to call out?
C.A: Not really. That’s not my thing. I never call out opponents. If people want to call me out, that’s fine, but as to who I fight, I leave that up to my manager.
J.S: Will you be stepping up the quality of opposition this year though?
C.A: Absolutely. I want the top-ten guys this year. I really want to prove myself against the top guys. I want to do what Eddie Chambers did. Even though he lost [to Alexander Povetkin] he took his shot and he fought good names.
J.S: Of all the heavyweight champs, which one is the best in your opinion?
C.A: [Wladimir] Klitschko. Without a doubt, he’s the best. I think he beats Sultan Ibragimov. He has the confidence and the ability. He’s also very dedicated.
J.S: Would that be your dream fight, for you to face Wladimir?
C.A: Definitely. I sparred with him when I was like 3-0, and I looked up to him in a big way. He was something special to me. But now, I have to raise my game and become the something special. Buy my dream has really always been to win the WBC heavyweight title. I’ve always looked at the WBC title as the best and most prominent one in all of boxing. So whoever has it, it doesn’t matter, I’ll fight them.
J.S: It’s been great speaking with you, Chris. Good luck for Saturday and the rest of your career.
C.A: Okay, thank you.