Big props to Cris Arreola

[El Kabong]

He was outclassed, but the guy has a heart as big as a truck....he fought like a warrior. As a Klitschko fan there were times I was worried for him because Arreola put on constant pressure throughout the fight.

I hope Cris Arreola goes on to do good stuff in the division. I hope he stays dedicated and continues to fight at a high level.

[Spicoli]

Beaten like a drum.Out classed exactly.He's exactly what we thought he was,but he took the pain

[El Kabong]

I figured he would have been out MUCH sooner, but apparently the working out and the preparations helped Cris a bit, he seemed to be in good shape stamina-wise (still a bit flabby) but aside from getting hit so much I think he gave a great account of himself.

Hopefully this makes Cris train harder and maybe we could see an Arreola-Peter fight!

[generalbulldog]

Props to Arreola for gutting it out when he was getting beaten up bad.
Arreola can still be some sort of alphabet HW champion, I mean the Klit bros don't have the WBA version right? If guys like Ruiz and Valuev can be HW "champs" then surely Arreola has a great shot.

[KalihiBoyHawaii]

Now you know why you don't have that beer, Cris.

Now you know why you eat healthy and leave the burrito and tacos out.

Now you know that acting tough is not the same as being tough.

Now you know that you have to train tough, diet tough, along with acting tough.

IT'S CALLED TOTAL DEDICATION TO YOUR CRAFT.

DIDICATION, LOOK THAT WORD UP, CRIS. Dedicate to eat right, dedicate to not put anything in your gut that is not benefitial to your performance, dedicate to make life for your family better .

[El Kabong]

I would hate to see anyone be able to pressure Wladimir like that....I mean I doubt Arreola would beat Wlad, but it's pressure like that that has tuckered him out in the past. Wlad, I think hits the hardest out of the two brothers (which is why his opponents are so willing to clam up)...I've never seen Vitali just bomb a guy out with one punch, it's usually an accumulation...but for Arreola to take that kind of punishment tells me Vitali needs to retire maybe after fighting the Valuev-Haye winner.

Sure Vitali was more tactical and technical, but in the olden days Vitali would have laid Cris low early on.

Cris has a huge heart, I just hope he doesn't go all Gerry Cooney on us and self destruct because he lost 1 fight vs one of the best in the World. Have a few Coronas, take a little time to heal up, and then get in shape and rededicate yourself.

[Mar]

.....wow way too many people crying in the fight game. What happened to those hard ass john Wayne, chuck Norris , I don't give a fuck bout yo mamma nig@&z. Now we have victor ortiz and this type of shit. Ah well nice try maybe I'll feel different when I'm sober.

[TigerFan]

I was about to make a thread similar to this. He earned my respect lasting as long as he did without giving in.

[Gandalf]

Arreola tried his best, but his skillset is sorely lacking. He applied pressure, but I don't think it was effective pressure at all. No head movement...just a case of plodding forward and taking punches on the guard. He would occasionally get close and Vitali would just tie him up. There were countless times when he could have pinned Vitali and unloaded a combination but Vitali was just allowed to circle freely. Arreola has heart, but he just isn't all that good a fighter. But fair play on him seeing it through as far as possible.

For me that was a quality showing from Klitschko and the best I've seen from him in a long while. He has great stamina for a big old guy and just keeps on flicking out the 1-2's and 3/4 punch combinations. No doubt that Vitali is the better of the Klit brothers. He really stomps on his opponents in a way that Wlad just seems too timid to do.

I would like to see James Toney have a go with Arreola in the very near future.

[CFH]

Now you know why you don't have that beer, Cris.

Now you know why you eat healthy and leave the burrito and tacos out.

Now you know that acting tough is not the same as being tough.

Now you know that you have to train tough, diet tough, along with acting tough.

IT'S CALLED TOTAL DEDICATION TO YOUR CRAFT.

DIDICATION, LOOK THAT WORD UP, CRIS. Dedicate to eat right, dedicate to not put anything in your gut that is not benefitial to your performance, dedicate to make life for your family better .

Also, Arreola demonstrated that he is extremely tough, both mentally and physically. He lost to a better fighter, he didn't lose because he wasn't tough enough.

[Wayne]

I figured he would have been out MUCH sooner, but apparently the working out and the preparations helped Cris a bit, he seemed to be in good shape stamina-wise (still a bit flabby) but aside from getting hit so much I think he gave a great account of himself.

Hopefully this makes Cris train harder and maybe we could see an Arreola-Peter fight!

Why would we want to see that? Peter should have blown Eddie Chambers out of the water. I'm on the brink of never wanting to see him again. Peter has to dig himself out of the grave so far as I'm concerned, but all Cris has to do for me is trim the fat off.

[Majesty]

Cris maybe will train harder now.

Anyway It was a good fight but the holding that fight was deplorable, everytime Cris even got close he was held. I was under the impression that much holding is illegal, he would intentionally tie up Arreola or his arms to stop him from throwing inside, I thought that was illegal or at least you were supposed to be warned for it. Cris wasn't gonna win but I'm still wondering did anyone else notice all the holding?

[Gandalf]

Cris maybe will train harder now.

Anyway It was a good fight but the holding that fight was deplorable, everytime Cris even got close he was held. I was under the impression that much holding is illegal, he would intentionally tie up Arreola or his arms to stop him from throwing inside, I thought that was illegal or at least you were supposed to be warned for it. Cris wasn't gonna win but I'm still wondering did anyone else notice all the holding?

Totally agree. I fought Vitali fought very well, but the holding is something that bugs me. I really wish referees would lecture fighters more about holding and then take points off if they continue to do it. It spoils the flow of a fight. I hate it when any fighter does it excessively, and like someone said on another thread, it should only be allowed if the fighter trying to hold is buying time becuase they are seriously hurt. It's an ugly habit that needs to be wiped out of the game, fights are only twleve rounds these days after all.

[Nameless]

If this guy would shear down 20-30 pounds he could make some solid disaster as it would mean more speed and more stamina, he showed a very tough heart and tough chin, now he just has to get the will to carry himself to the next level and he could become a champion in the middle run.

[Hunter]

to tell you the truth I dont give Arreola any props.......The guy obviously had the boxing gift but chose not to give it 100% and that is why he lost.....I like what Lampley said at the end, something along the lines of you cant expect to beat world class fighters that basically stay in shape and train all year and you yourself take months off to enjoy the good life......

I think it is hillarious that Vitali's only compliment of Arreola was "Man I cant believe he took those shots and I couldnt knock him out sooner"