Deontay Wilder Vs Chris Arreola: Breaking it Down by the Numbers

By Richard “Doc” Pratt

A fight, that I dare say, was of more than a meager interest for boxing fans, Deontay Wilder Vs Alexander Povetkin, failed to materialize in May due to Povetkin failing a blood test which showed he ingested meldonium, a recently banned performance enhancing substance. Upon that news, Wilder was less than happy with this news stating “This is a huge disappointment and a setback to my goals in boxing. I want to be an active heavyweight champion and it is still my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”

Upon this unfortunate setback, many boxing fans made many speculations as to whom Wilder would and should fight in the interim. Even saying he should take on Fury or Klitschko in place of Povetkin. Let’s look at the possibilities out of the Ring Magazine Top Ten list.

Definitively out of course are Fury and Klitschko for obvious reasons!

Next in line at #3 would be Kubrat Pulev, 23-1, 12 KO’s with his one loss, a KO, at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko. He fought in May and was victorious against Dereck Chisora, 25-6, 17 KO’s for the vacant EBU Heavyweight title. He’s out due to just fighting last month. Could he take the fight? Sure! Should he? Not so much. Wilder’s height and reach and power would be too much for him as witnessed with his only loss against Klitschko.

At # 4 on the list we have Luis Ortiz, 25-0, 22 KO’s. He fought in Dec. of last year successfully defending his Interim WBA World Heavyweight title against Bryant Jennings, 19-2, 10 KO’s. He fought 3 months later in March against Tony Thompson, 40-7, 27 KO’s and won with a 6th round KO. Why not Ortiz? Most likely, with the Povetkin fight most assuredly next, the Wilder camp doesn’t want to chance not making that fight happen which could be the possible outcome should Wilder lose his title to Ortiz. That’s a smart move in my book on the part of Camp Wilder and not at all an issue in my eyes. He’s out!

Next up at #5, Anthony Joshua, again obvious, he’s fighting on June 25th against Dominic Breazeale. I personally think Wilder would beat Joshua who is another KO artist but with much less experience. He’s out!

Next would be a rematch against #6, Bermane Stiverne. I don’t think that’s even on Wilder’s radar. He’s done with him and wants to continue to move up, which happens to be the Povetkin bout. He’s out!

Next up # 7 Joseph Parker, 19-0,16 KO’s. He’s fighting in July. He’s out!

At #8 we have Bryant Jennings,19-2, 10 KO’s. Personally I think Haye should be at 8 and Jennings 9 but … That being said. He is coming off two defeats, UD loss to Klitschko and a 7th round KO loss against Ortiz. Both rather good showings but losses none the less and his camp will be looking for an easier opponent than Wilder to get back on the winning track. He’s out!

Number 9 on the list is David Haye, 28-2, 26 KO’s. He beat Gjergjaj quite handily in a 2nd round TKO in May and although I would like to see this fight. Again, this isn’t a fight I would want Wilder to have before Povetkin. I think this fight will happen in the next year or so. He’s out!

Rounding out the top 10, Andy Ruiz, JR., 27-0, 18KO’s. Ruiz doesn’t have the draw or following that Arreola has nor the experience and wouldn’t make much of an interesting fight nor much of a match for Wilder. He’s out!

So why Chris Arreola and not someone else? He has had many title fights and seems to have a following he’s managed to develop over his 12 years as a pro. He’s ranked #15 on BoxRec and is not so much the “tomato can” that some may say. Yes, he hasn’t fought since his ND against Travis Kauffman in December which he had won on the scorecards but received the ND after testing positive, for the second time, for marijuana use. But his style as a come forward fighter is what Wilder is looking for in an interim fight before he faces Povetkin, someone not afraid to take a punch and maybe stand in there and trade some blows with Deontay.

Keep in mind, one of the BIGGEST reasons no other fighter of higher quality or rank may have considered taking this fight is the obvious short timeframe to prepare for the bout. This being utterly overlooked by most opinions that I have read or listened to!
That speaks volumes!

Does the Wilder camp want to face a tougher opponent before Povetkin? Absolutely not. Does this aggravate fight fans? Most definitely. Does this aggravate me? Not in the least!

One must understand the mechanics of boxing in this era. Understand that fighters are now more concerned about injury and long term damage and are more knowledgeable, through all the research that has been done regarding the damage that occurs to the brain in this and other contact sports, than in the past. Boxers want to make money and be able to fight for a decent amount of time as a career. They love the sport probably more than you and I but are truly putting their lives on the line when stepping into that squared circle. With this in mind, much more care is taken as to when one fights the tougher opponents. We should comprehend this and I being a “boxing” fan not a “boxer” fan, understand the direction boxing has been heading for the past 10-15-20 years and won’t hate on a boxer for making these type decisions.

Will there be steps sideways to a lesser opponent now and then? Yes. Will there be epic battles to come? Most definitely. This is a must with the increased popularity of the sport due to the increased exposure of late with the advent of PBC and others increasing access and driving curiosity and interest. We see some dodging of bouts here and there but what makes the sport SEEM to be replete with such occurrences has more to do with the advent of social media and the internet and everyone being able to express their opinions in public much more readily than in the past. It’s simply the nature of the beast.

Will this be a good fight? I happen to think that will be the case. The only way to know is to sit down and watch. Will most be watching? Yes, even the nay sayers will be watching despite their outcries and disdain for this type of interim, tune-up, less than epic battle. Boxing remains alive and well and fans will keep on watching!

Deontay Wilder Vs Chris Arreola takes place July 16, LIVE on FOX at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham Alabama and will be for Wilders WBC World Heavyweight title.

Until next time. Keep your gloves up and elbows in!

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