LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko can not see his upcoming title bout with undefeated challenger Cristobal Arreola lasting the distance.
“Not too many believe it will go 12 rounds. I don’t either,” Klitschko told reporters yesterday at a news conference to promote the Sept. 26 fight at the Staples Center.
“Every morning I wake up and think about Chris and how I can fight him. Chris has his skills — I will show my skills.
“I’ll do my best to keep my title as long as possible.”
The towering 6-foot-7 Ukrainian faced his power-punching Mexican-American opponent for the first time yesterday.
In September, he will face a battle to prevent the 28-year-old Arreola from making history as the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
Nicknamed “Nightmare,” Arreola hails from Los Angeles and has gained a large local following while compiling a 27-0 record with 24 knockouts.
Known for his aggression and strength, the 6-foot-4 (1.93m) Arreola enters the fight with a fourth-round knockout of Jameel McCline in April under his belt.
“I’m here to make history,” said Arreola, a clear underdog to the champion who is 10 years his senior.
“I want to make Vitali a pop (quiz) question to ‘Who did Cristobal Arreola beat to become heavyweight champion of the world?’ I respect the man, (but) we’re in the hurt game.
“One of us is going to get hurt.”
While Klitschko clearly will not be the fan-favorite, he has good memories of the Staples Center dating back to 2003, when he dominated his bout against then-champion Lennox Lewis, but was retired because of a cut above his eye.
Ten months later, Klitschko claimed the WBC crown in a TKO against Corrie Sanders at the same venue.
Klitschko, whose younger brother Wladimir currently holds the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles, has never been knocked down, but has floored 36 opponents in a 37-2 record, an unprecedented knockout percentage.
The Arreola fight will mark his third since coming back in 2008 after an injury-induced retirement in 2005, and promises to be a slugfest with two big punchers in the ring.
