27.05.08 – Interview by James Slater: Speaking to me over the phone from his L.A training camp just minutes before a workout, the unbeaten Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola spoke about his upcoming fight with the likewise unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz Witherspoon on Friday, May 23rd. As friendly and accommodating as always, the unbeaten, 23-0(21) 27-year-old had the following answers to my questions.
James Slater: How has training been going so far?
Chris Arreola: It’s been going really well. I’ve been getting great sparring, I’m up to 8 rounds a day now and I’ve been doing my roadwork real well too. I’ve been sparring with Kevin Montiy, who has a real good jab and lots of lateral movement. Also Travis Kauffman, who is an elusive type and throws lots of punches from lots of different angles. Also, I’ll be working with (former KO victim) Damian “Bolo” Wills later this week. So, yeah, I’m having great sparring..
J.S: What do you make of Chazz Witherspoon? I take it you’ve seen him fight before?
C.A: I’ve never actually seen him fight. I know nothing about him, really. I leave all the strategy and stuff like that to my team. They watch fight tapes and devise a game-plan and I follow what they say. I trust my team and I know they will never steer me wrong. I mean I will fight my usual fight against Chazz anyway. I won’t be changing anything from the style the fans have grown to love. I’ll be aggressive as always, with maybe an addition of some more waist movement and I’ll use a few more angles in there. But other than that I’ll fight the same way I always do. I’ve got to say, I’m expecting the very best Chazz Witherspoon that can be. He will be working his ass off – I hope he is anyway, because I am – and it will result in a great fight, a great event. It should be a boxing fan’s dream, this fight.
J.S: Not having seen Chazz fight, you can’t be sure of what type of fight it will be though – correct?
C.A: Well, we’re both unbeaten and we both want to win and get to the promised land, so to speak. I know I’ll never lay down for nobody, and I think Chazz will feel the same way. Put it this way, there’s not much chance of this fight going the distance. I really don’t think it will see the final bell. All I will say for definite is this fight will be two kids going at it and at the end my hand will be raised.
J.S: Not looking too far ahead, but what’s next for you should you win? We hear David Tua has said he’ll fight the winner of you and Witherspoon, is that true?
C.A: Yes, that’s what he said. A couple of times in the past Tua’s name has been mentioned as my next fight. I guess the numbers didn’t suit him at that time, which I can respect. But, yeah, if Tua’s next, then he’s next. Otherwise I don’t want to think about anything other than the fight with Chazz. I do think a fight between me and Tua would be a great fight also though – like when Tua fought [Ike] Ibeabuchi a number of years back.
J.S: Obviously a world title fight is your ultimate goal. Of the current champions, who would you most like to face?
C.A: Like I’ve always said, I want the green belt. I’ve always looked at the WBC title as the best one. So whoever holds that title when my turn comes [I will challenge]. Right now that’s Samuel Peter, so if he still holds it when my time comes then I’ll fight him.