Prepare for Power. Two of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division are weeks away toward a collision course. The WBC’s #1 World Contender, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) and the WBC #2 World Contender, Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KOs) are scheduled to exchange heavyweight knockout punches in a 12-round WBC World Championship Heavyweight Elimination bout on Saturday, April 27 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
Chris Arreola:
On his inactivity:
I get frustrated when I get injured at the gym or when I get sick. But when I have to wait for a fight, it doesn’t frustrate me because I have worked my butt off for the entire year since 2011. Even though last year I only fought once, I know that when I fight again that I am ready to go. I’m hungry to fight. When I go to [Jose Lopez’s] fight or any other fight, I get antsy. I get that motivation to fight and get in there.
In reference to seeing Stiverne at the press conference:
To be honest, I needed this face to face today. This is our first time meeting. I never had a face to face with him, I don’t feel disrespected that we never did have an initial press conference together when he failed to show up. If that is what he wants to do, that’s what he wants to do. That’s it. I know I’m ready to beat him and move on to the World Championship bout.
On Stiverne’s punching power:
I wouldn’t say that he has humongous punching power. Every heavyweight has punching power but if you get caught you’re going to sleep. I don’t really care about his punching power or his professional record as much as I do about his amateur record because to me amateur experience means the world. [Stiverne was a top amateur].
Should you win, would you rather fight Klitschko or for vacant title if he retires?
I have heard this question a lot of times. If Klitschko decides to retire then he retires. It’s a dawn of a new era. That’s me. It’s my time. It’s my time to shine. If he chooses to retire, that’s good. He did his time. Let him step away. But if I get the rematch that would be even better.
Asked if he would be content to win the title without having the opportunity to avenge the loss:
I would be fine with that because then I will beat his brother for my revenge. I would rather fight Wladimir because he has more belts. I want more belts. More jewelry.
Have you seen Stiverne fights:
I have watched his last four fights but the one thing that I have noticed about him is that he throws good combinations. I don’t want to say he’s a plodding fighter because he moves his head a lot, has good lateral movement and good angles but he does plod. I believe he’s going to stand in there and fight with me so it will be a good fight.
Do you think that your hand speed edge will be a big difference in this fight?
I consider myself to have fast hands but its not so much my hand speed that is going to help me out. I believe that it is the experience that I have and also the guts and the grit I have. I believe that there are a lot of fighters out there that suck but the fact that they have the balls and the grit to fight makes them good, ala Maidana. I don’t think he’s a good fighter at all but that fact that he has balls, grit and comes forward is what breaks all the fighters down. That’s what I have and add on that I have boxing skills.
On his discipline issues with food:
Once you come of money and everything comes easy and instead of walking to the market, you drive there. Instead of cooking your food, you drive to a restaurant, that was my biggest downfall. It’s just about acknowledging it and taking care of it. Also, getting to the gym. Once you get there the gym is easy. It’s getting there that can be difficult. There is always a lot of spots to stop on the way in.
On who we should expect to see in the ring:
It’ s not the new Chris Arreola, it’s the improved Chris Arreola.
Bermane Stiverne
There’s not much to say. A lot of posts back and forth. Personally, I think they are a lot of lies. A lot of game playing. I’m not much of a talker but I can say that I have been waiting for this fight so long that I just hope on April 27 that he is actually going to be there.
About not showing up for the initial press conference:
First of all, the press conference was in the middle of the week and I didn’t know where I was going to be with my training.
Do you have any issues fighting Chris in his hometown?
No, I have no issues with fighting Chris in his hometown. I am actually happy to fight him there.
What does this fight mean to you?
I actually don’t know. I just want to get it done. I might be wrong but I don’t believe that he was sick. I got frustrated with all of the delays but I am patient. If I have to wait again, I would do it. This is a fight that we’ve been talking about for three years.
How do you feel about Chris as a fighter?
Chris has fought for a world title so I have to respect that. Any fighter would have to. It’s something you got to respect. Chris brings the heat. I believe whatever heat he brings, mines is hotter. Mine is more damaging than his. I just can’t wait for this fight to happen.
