Chris Areolla - Next American Heavyweight Champion or Ridiculous Rotund Rotter?

[Rantcatrat]

His boxing style is that of brawler. His punches pack a wallop. His technical skills lack. Can he beat any of today's top-ten heavyweights?

At 6'3 1/2, and 240 pounds with an eerie resemblance to Freddy Kruger of Nightmare on Elm Street Fame, Areolla is an intimidating physical speciman. His recent victories include dispensing of highly-touted prospect Chazz Witherspoon and above-average journeyman, Israel Garcia, each in three rounds.

Is he good enough yet to beat a fringe contender? A John Ruiz, David Tua, or maybe a Oleg Maskaev level fighter? How about an all American match-up with Brian Minto? Would Sultan Ibragimov box circles around him?

[Trainer Monkey]

His boxing style is that of brawler. His punches pack a wallop. His technical skills lack. Can he beat any of today's top-ten heavyweights?

At 6'3 1/2, and 240 pounds with an eerie resemblance to Freddy Kruger of Nightmare on Elm Street Fame, Areolla is an intimidating physical speciman. His recent victories include dispensing of highly-touted prospect Chazz Witherspoon and above-average journeyman, Israel Garcia, each in three rounds.

Is he good enough yet to beat a fringe contender? A John Ruiz,David Tua, or maybe a Oleg Maskaev level fighter? How about an all American match-up with Brian Minto? Would Sultan Ibragimov box circles around him?

It will be interesting to watch him,I wish he put together more punches,but the ones he throws are wrapped in bricks

[The Fightfan]

I thought he was supposed to be fighting Tua sometime this fall ? If he would do well against Tua I would say most definetly.

[holmcall]

Great avatar. I;d say the bubbery Chris resmbles a giant Johnny Tapia!

[Taeth]

He doesn't hold a candle to Johny Tapia... he will get exposed badly at the highest level.

[TigerFan]

He's looked good so far against guys that stayed in front of him and laid back on the ropes. I think he'll have trouble against guys like Ibragimov who can punch and give angles. Against older slower heavies like Maskaev I'd favor Arreola.