On one of this summer’s hottest days in Southern California, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and #1 ranked Cristobal Arreola hosted their final press conference at the Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles CA. Both fighters are scheduled to collide for the heavyweight title on Saturday, Sept. 26th, at the Staple Center.
“It is very hot today and I didn’t want to leave my house but I am here for all my fans,” stated Arreola after being introduced by Michael Buffer. “I’m taking this fight personal now, what bugs me is that Klitschko is taking me lightly.”
“I just found out that Klitschko has a set date to fight in December, he hasn’t beaten me and he’s already planning to fight someone else. I find it to be disrespectful. I am no walk in the park, Yeah, he will fight in December but isn’t going to be for a world title, that I guarantee.”
Klitschko responded to the rumor.
“I don’t know of any fight in December, I too just read about that on the Internet.”
“I am ready to show my performance on Saturday night,” said Klitschko. “Arreola is a tough fighter, he’s a big puncher, but he doesn’t have the skills like I do and that’s the difference. I am more experienced.”
On September 26, “Dr. Iron fist” (37-2, 36KO’s) will make history by becoming the first fighter to headline three times at Staple Center. If triumphant, the dangerous-punching “Nightmare” Arreola (27-0 24KOs), of Riverside California, will also have his chance to be recorded in the annals of boxing by becoming the first boxer of Mexican descent to capture a world heavyweight championship.
“I have a chance to win, this is not a fight for money. I am here to make history. To me that’s worth a lot more,” stated Arreola. “It really pissed me off about him fighting in December, but it’s a good thing because it motivated me to really kick his ass.”
The under card features the hard-hitting, undefeated heavyweight Alexander Ustinov (17-0, 14KOs) of Minsk, Belarus, as he takes on the once-beaten Cedric Boswell (31-1, 24KOs) of Atlanta, GA, in a twelve round championship fight for Ustinov’s WBA strap.
The other compelling heavyweight match features two talented American brawlers as Jonathon Banks (21-1, 15KO’s) takes on Javier Mora (22-4, 18KOs) in a scheduled 10-round fight.
The world title fights, which will be promoted by K2 Promotions in association with Gooseen Tutor Promotions, will air live on HBO at 10PM ET/7PM PT.
Tickets are still available at all TicketMaster outlets and by phone 800-745-3000. Tickets are priced from $25.00 thru $500.
Photos by Big Joe Miranda