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An Objective Look at Cris Arreola
I'm torn over what to think about Cristobal. I've watched probably 6 of his last eight fights. I've been keeping an eye on him for a while, and I still can't make up my mind. I decided this is because he does some things so well, yet in other areas, he looks so bad (pun intended).
Here's my take on Arreola's negatives and positives.
Weight and Conditioning
Negative: His weight is a clear concern. He looks like a disgrace at 255. Hell, even at a swelt 239 against Witherspoon, he still looks soft. We have no idea how he will hold up over 12 rounds.
Positive: I don't know. There are a lot of big HW's out there. Maybe the bulk helps him. Not that I'm comparing them, but James Toney is even more disgraceful and he can go 12 rounds just fine. Arreola does seem pretty comfortable in the ring and he seems to fight at a controlled pace for a pressure fighter. Pavlik isn't winning any body building contests, either.
Defense/Chin
Negative: He gets hit. It's not that he doesn't have any defense, it's just that he lets his hands go and that leaves him open. He's been buzzed a few times and I have to question how he would take a punch from a Klitchko or several other big hitting HWs.
Positive: He has good fundamentals. He keeps his hands up, he doesn't try to get too cute. He blocks well with is gloves and he has some head movement when he want to use it. He throws punches correctly and gets back into position for offense or defense while staying on balance. He's not graceful, but he amateur background helps with this.
Offense
Negative: He looks slow and plodding. He throws his punches correctly, but they don't seem to have that certain crisp snap on them that I would like to see. I can't see him being able to fight off his back foot if he gets pressed. He has one gameplan and he will be frustrated as soon as he's in with somebody who can spoil it.
Positive: This is his best area and he does some things that most HW's doesn't do. He throws ALL his punches well. While none is exceptional, he can land 1 - 5 and make each one count and he can do it in bunches. He throws intelligent combos that you would expect from a crafty lower division boxer- like the 5 - 2 he used to KO McCline. He cleans up his right hands. He can attack inside and out, and he can go to the body.
Overall
For a fat boy, he fights pretty good. He probably has widest offense arsenal in the HW division. He might not be fast enough to cut it against the elite ATHLETES at the top. Arreola doesn't seem like much of an athlete, but he's a good boxer.
Vitali is his worse nightmare. He's not stopping him and he can't bully or out tough him. Vitali can take his shots and check his chin right back. I can see Vitali winning by brutal stoppage.
Wlad is a better matchup for him, because Wlad hates pressure and Arreola can hurt him. Wlad certainly has the power to KO him, but Wlad is going to need to throw real punches in this one.
Haye - might be too fast and athletic. Arreola is actually the more skilled fighter, but Haye is explosive and Arreola has never had to deal with that kind of speed. I would favor Arreala more the longer the fight lasted (counterintuitive, yes) because of his bodywork and size difference.
Peter - Honestly, I think Arreola just outworks him to a decision unless Peter lands the perfect punch. I can see Cris going down, but coming back to win.
Povetikin - I haven't decided.
Chambers - Eddie might pick him apart with counters. Then again, Cris might just knock him silly.
Chagaev - Who cares? Is he still fighting?
Valuev - Arreola on points.
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