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.

[DaxxKahn]

I don't think much of this kid as a fighter to be honest...He gets hit too often and he really does not pack the punch he needs to keep bigger guys off of him.....He desperatly needs to improve his defense and I am not too sure on his chin (have not seen him get cracked by a big puncher yet)...

I have only seen about 3 or 4 of his fights (though it was his last 4)...I see him being out boxede terribly by guys such as Sultan and hit too often by guys such as Wlad and Sam......

Time will tell I suppose

[ICB]

I like this guy personally he is exciting and puts his punches together very well and very fast. His defense looks very leaky though but what Heavyweight doesn't have those problems except for Wladimir ? He does have alot of power from what i've seen aswell. I would love to see Haye vs Areolla thats probably the most exciting fight in the Heavyweight division IMO.