“FIGHT FOR PEACE” the highly anticipated Heavyweight Championship between top-rated world contenders, Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola will take place on SATURDAY, MAY 10 from the USC Galen Center in Downtown Los Angeles and telecast LIVE on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and presented by Corona Extra.
Hall of Fame Promoter Don King of Don King Productions and Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions made the announcement jointly today.
“ESPN is in it to win it…and ‘win’ in it they have…hitting a grand slam home run in public opinion in welcoming the prodigal son of the sport of boxing – The WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World Title Event back to America – Halleluiah!” said the ever-enthusiastic Don King, promoter of Bermane Stiverne.
“FIGHT FOR PEACE” is a fitting international tribute to the battle for the vacant World Boxing Council Heavyweight Championship of the World previously held by longtime champion Vitali Klitschko who stepped away from boxing officially in December 2013 to focus on the 2014 Ukrainian Presidential Election where he is seeking to become the country’s leader.
“Vitali was a great champion, in and out of the ring, and the winner of this fight will have big shoes to fill wearing the green belt around their waist,” said Dan Goossen promoter of Arreola. “Chris will definitely be going into this fight with his back against the wall. It’s that type of do-or-die situation I believe when he’s the most motivated and dangerous. To top off this history making, and what is sure to be great event, is ESPN’s participation, the home to all major sporting events, putting additional broadcast significance to this Heavyweight World Championship fight.”
Stiverne and Arreola previously battled on April 27, 2013 in Ontario, California, with the Florida resident winning a 12-round unanimous decision over the Southern California based Mexican-American who fought valiantly through a knockdown and broken nose, both suffered in the third round.
The flamboyant King went on to say, “Bermane Stiverne vs. Chris Arreola fighting for the most coveted crowning ceremony in the world of sports scheduled to take place on May 10, 2014 – as Heavyweights go…so goes boxing! Never has that saying had more relevance than now.” “Needless to say there is great joy in the land of fisticuffs creating great excitement for boxing fans around the world who will celebrate this homecoming with bated breath and great anticipation awaiting the destiny of this fantastic rematch: Stiverne vs. Arreola for the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World broadcast exclusively via ESPN.”
The move by ESPN to telecast the Stiverne-Arreola Championship bout is unprecedented and in recent years heavyweight title bouts have been broadcast primarily on premium cable channels or pay-per-view.
“For nearly 35 years, ESPN has been the premier destination for sports fans,” Goossen said. “We’re thrilled to work with their team to allow sports fans around the world the opportunity to watch a World Heavyweight Championship on what is the undisputed Worldwide Leader in Sports.”
“FIGHT FOR PEACE” exemplifies the obstacles both Stiverne and Arreola have climbed to be in position to do what no other person of their descent have done in the 100-plus years of our sport. With a victory, Stiverne would become the first Haitian to win the Heavyweight World Championship. And for Arreola, with all the great Mexican champions throughout the history of boxing, none have ever held the most prestigious belt of them all. History will be made on this night.
“ESPN has a long history of carrying world class boxing events, but this certainly ranks up there with the best that we’ve televised,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “Dan Goossen and Don King deserve credit for having the vision to distribute this potentially historical match to as many households as possible and we are thrilled to be televising the fight.”
Assistant Athletic Director and General Manager of USC Galen Center, Carl Reed added, “We are very excited to be part of the historic Heavyweight World Championship match between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola. We have hosted numerous national and international events; this Heavyweight Championship fight will deliver the knockout blow that will set the USC Galen Center apart from all other venues. I look forward to working with both promoters, Don King and Dan Goossen in ensuring this is a fight for the ages!”
With a record of 23-1-1 (20 KO’s), the hard-hitting Stiverne, originally from La Plaine, Haiti and now living in Miami, Florida is currently world ranked as the #1 contender in the WBC heavyweight rankings.
“The only thing I’m thinking about right now is putting my hands on that title. As a matter of fact, to me, I’m going to the ring like I’m defending my title. This title is mine. It’s my title, you know what I’m saying; they just didn’t give it to me yet. I’m going in there to defend my title. I feel like I’m ready already. I feel great. I look great and I just can’t wait man. I can’t wait to make history, so everybody lookout for that fight. It’s gonna’ be a fantastic performance and a lot of pain and a knockout,” stated top heavyweight contender Bermane Stiverne, who talked about his anticipated rematch with Chris Arreola and his own desire to be crowned the new WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World.
All Chris needs to do is train properly and he should come out on top. Last time I saw him he was looking in good shape between fights for once. Hope it will be a good one, glad espn will show this fight, good exposure for the sport and a HW title fight that will actually be competitive.
Arreola has an impressive record but, whenever he gets in the ring with someone who knows how to fight, he looks stupid. I really don;t think he ever got over the ass whipping Klitsko gave him, he was outfought, outclassed and had his ass handed to him AND ALSO, he had his pride hurt and possibly damaged for good in that fight.
The bottom line for this fighter is that he has to start looking good because time is running out of time for this guy, He may be still a young man, early in his 30’s but he’s starting to fight, talk and act like an “old fighter” regardless of his biological age. I think he was in his prime years ago however, his prime only lives on in his mind and in apparently, in no one else’s .. PEACE … TheBoxingdictionary,com … The Language of the Ring “
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