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WBC heavyweight champion Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko is confident he will be victorious and his experience will be the key factor when he defends against No. 1-ranked Cristobal “The Nightmare’’ Arreola in what will be the most exciting heavyweight title fight in years this Saturday, Sept. 26, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
“The question is, who will be the winner? I don’t know,’’ said Klitschko during the final press conference on Tuesday in front of a packed media turnout at Nokia Plaza. “It’s a heavyweight fight; it’s boxing, where any one punch can decide the outcome.
“After five weeks of training, 100 miles of running, and over 100 rounds of sparring, I can now answer that question. I am in great shape, ready for a great performance and ready to show my skills in the ring.
“Five weeks ago, if you asked me that question (who would win?), I wouldn’t have been able to answer it. Now, after my training camp, I can tell you that I will win.
“Arreola is a tough guy, a big puncher, but he doesn’t have the experience in the ring.’’
Klitschko, of Los Angeles and Hamburg, Germany, brings a record of 37-2 with 36 knockouts into what will be an exciting, hotly contested 12-round showdown. The dangerous-punching Arreola, of Riverside, California, via East Los Angeles, is 27-0 with 24 KOs.
Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com
Tickets will be available at the Staples Center Box Office. Tickets are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25.us, f
The world title fight, which is promoted by K2 Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will air live on HBO at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. Doors open Saturday at 4 o’clock.
What the participants, including IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who received the Ring heavyweight belt, had to say Tuesday:
Vitali Klitschko: “Saturday will be a real good fight. If you have good opponents, you look good. This will be a real heavyweight fight. I am more than sure that I will exit the ring as heavyweight champion of the world.
“I know it’s very important to focus on the fight and be 100 percent ready. Some people ask if I’m overlooking Arreola and thinking about the future. Chris, I think about you, I prepare for the fight and I will give it my best.
“I take it step by step. I don’t think about the future because there is no future without a victory Saturday night.
“I have never fought anyone with such a good record as Arreola. I know he’s a good fighter and I prepared for the hardest fight of my career.
“Can Arreola beat me? I don’t think so. Can he hit me hard? Maybe. It’s very interesting for me because this time I have no injuries and am 100 percent.
“Ten years ago I won my first world title belt. Right now, I have 10 years experience as a world champ. Right now, that will make all the difference.
“He may punch hard, but I’ll duck. He won’t knock me out. I am ready and I can’t wait until Saturday night.’’
Fritz Sdunek, Klitschko’s trainer: “We’re happy to be back in L.A. We had a great training camp and we went swimming at UCLA. We’re really looking forward to Saturday night. Vitali is in great shape and didn’t have any injuries while training. We’ll probably see a knockout on Saturday night.”
Wladimir Klitschko: “It’s going to be a great fight on Saturday night. I wish both my brother and Chris good luck in the fight.
“Thank you for the belt. For five years I have been hunting for this belt, and now I have it. It is an honor to have it.”
