Count down continues for Arreola/Abell fight
Could these men be the difference makers in Arreola's boxing future? Heavyweight contender, Chris Arreola is surrounded by his crew, (l to r) co-trainer Henry Ramirez, co-trianer Ronnie Shields, Arreola, assistants Kerry and Julian Carter and conditioning coach, Brian Caldwell. Photo credit: Craig Bennett/Goossen Tutor Promotions
Locally, boxing fans are excited on two fronts: tonight’s Solo Boxeo Tecate presentation at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel there’s a fight card featuring Charles Huerta and Gary Russell Jr. and then further north, they have everyone’s favorite Mexican/American Chris Arreola who is at the Pechanga Resorts & Casino.
The Arreola vs. Joey Abell main event and co-feature pitting Michael Dallas, Jr. (17-0-1, 7 KOs) versus Josesito Lopez (28-3, 16 KOs) is to be televised LIVE on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” starting at 7 p.m. In the past both Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola and his opponent Joey Abell have had their issues with carrying too much weight into the ring. After witnessing a video of Thursday evening’s weigh-in at the Pechanga, I’m happy to report both boxers are in excellent shape. Arreola weighed 249.6 pounds and Abell weighed 236 pounds.
Chris Arreola was all smiles yesterday after the announcement he had gotten under 250 pounds.
Talking strategies: Ramirez and Ronnie Shields would like to see Arreola move a lot more, side to side, and stop being so predictable as he comes forward to throw his big overhand right. Yes, close the distance, but do it from different angles, in and then out and move his head back more. By using his snapping jab more, he’ll be able to do two things: have his opponent struggling to fight while backing up and at the same time create space by moving side to side. Because of his natural ability and time spent in the amateur ranks, Arreola is the more seasoned boxer. So that’s what he has to do, out box the ex-football player.
Joey Abell, with his tighter stomach, was also pleased with his announced weight.
The Abell camp has their strategy as well: Arreola is aggressive, but often too aggressive. When he gets frustrated he reverts back to this helter-skelter mode, the one with all the flaws – dropping his right hand, and sometimes punching himself out. He was given one wake-up call, his loss to Vitali Klitschko, and a second, his loss to the much smaller Tomas Adamek. We believe he still hasn’t learned. Since Abell is stronger and in better shape, we’d like to see him use up Arreola’s energy, and most certainly work that soft midsection. One big shot to that midsection and he’s going cave in. By not standing in front of him, it would be good to have Arreola do some chasing and then catch him with a counter. Land that one big counter and then have Arreola be the one fighting while backing up. By all means we have to get him out of his comfort zone.
On the Arreola/Abell undercard is a match-up between two exceptional boxers, Mike Dallas Jr. (r) and Josesito Lopez (l).
