“Team Nightmare” member in Arreola’s corner during Saturday’s win
As Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola took a knee in the second round of this past weekend’s battle against Travis “The Freight Train” Walker, his cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke prepped for a battle of his own–the important assignment of getting the Mexican-American heavyweight geared up for round three during the short break between rounds.
The sturdier “Nightmare” had been rocked by “The Freight Train,” but came back to knockdown the challenger two times before the second round was over. As it turned out, Arreola (now 26-0, 23 KOs) only needed 13 seconds into the third round to get a TKO over the tough Walker, as referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the contest.
It was a homecoming of sorts at the new Citizens Bank Arena, located in Ontario, California, which is close to both “Indian” and Chris’ hometown of nearby Riverside. The 27-year-old Arreola, the WBC Continental Americas and NABF Heavyweight Champion, has now been anointed as the best American heavyweight prospect by many reputable voices in boxing circles. I had a chance to talk with his amiable cornerman the day after being part of the “Team Nightmare” victory.
“Indian” Willie is currently involved in many aspects of the ring; he is a fight promoter, assistant trainer, cutman, cornerman, teacher and boxing glove supplier. Taking pride in his Indian heritage (he is a member of the Morongo tribe), he often sports an Indian beaded choker, a II Feathers satin jacket, with his colorful eyeglass cords framing his face. You may also recognize him from “The Contender”; he was in the corner during the first three seasons of the reality TV series.
This boxing labor of love happens to be a shared passion with his wife of 13 years, Dolores, whom 
Schunke affectionately calls “Little Lady.” They have five children between them and 11 grandchildren total. And Dolores is Willie’s partner in work as well; the two run a company that supplies gloves to many Los Angeles fight cards like the recent All Star Boxing Promotions. They are usually amongst the first to arrive and the last to leave the fight venue as they assign, collect, clean, and disinfect 8 ounce and 10 ounce gloves that the boxers will utilize on that particular night. It would be an understatement to say this couple really loves being around the sport of boxing.
While this may seem like a career that could easily be featured on Discovery Channel’s hit show “Dirty Jobs,” luckily for Willie, his wife has no problem getting right in the action. I’ve seen the petite Dolores gamely run straight to the corner right after the final bell rings to retrieve the sweaty gloves, pulling them fresh from the boxers’ warm hands, as blood and fluid often splatters around. “Little Lady” manages to still look quite ladylike with her hair, nails and outfit looking impeccably put together–she’s always on the ball, and never misses a beat during fights!
The Riverside duo are well-known throughout the SoCal area and besides Arreola, Willie often works with Mike “Lil Warrior” Franco (13-0, 8 KOs) and is close friends with the super flyweight’s family. The undefeated 21-year-old’s father and trainer Al Franco and “Indian” have worked together with II Feathers Promotions (which “Indian” Willie founded), promoting fights for the past few years. But “Indian” Willie still chooses to stay in the background, preferring to have the fighters he’s working with soak up all of the limelight.
In the following Q & A session, the “Indian” and I chat about his busy career and of Arreola’s exciting win.
Question: When did you first begin working with Chris Arreola?
Answer: I’ve worked with Chris since his third pro fight.
Q: What was training camp like?
A: He worked the hardest I’ve ever seen him work. We trained in Big Bear for a month and then we came back to town the Tuesday before the fight to train locally in Riverside. I’ve got a private gym built in my home, so Chris works out at “Indian’s Gym.”
Q: Chris was 238 for the Chazz Witherspoon bout and weighed in at 254 for last Saturday’s fight. Any strategy with the weight gain?
A: No, it just worked out that way. He weighed more before training camp and actually weighed more, 258 in his last fight (against Israel Carlos Garcia in September). We weren’t concerned about his weight, we just wanted to make sure his stamina and punching power were there. But I think 240 is his ideal weight.
Q: What was the atmosphere like before the fight began?
A: Chris was really calm. I had so many things on my mind in making sure his corner was ready; and he was more calm than I was–he was very relaxed! And after working with him for so many years, I knew from his behavior in the dressing room that he was ready for the fight.
Q: Your thoughts when Chris was quickly challenged and had his back against the ropes in the opening round?
A: We knew Walker was going to put up a lot of pressure and in the beginning Chris got caught, no excuses. Then in the second round, he took the eight count and got himself back together. It was a very good fight! I’m glad Chris won because this will lead up to other things like a shot at the title.
Q: What was the victory celebration like in the dressing room with Chris?
A: A lot of media was in there, Mariachi music playing, and everyone was celebrating. But I left early to give him his moment with his wife and little girl.
Q: Where do you think “The Nightmare’s” next fight will take place?
A: His next fight could be at the Staples Center (in Los Angeles) or the Citizens Bank Arena again. Fans won’t be disappointed if it’s at this new arena. It’s a smaller arena; every seat is great.
Q: What’s the game plan for Chris?
A: At the press conference, Dan Goossen said if he wins this fight that he should fight one of the Klitschko brothers. If he won, he’d be the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
Q: Including Arreola’s recent win, what are your other most memorable moments in the corner?
A: One of my highlights was the season finale of the first season of “The Contender.” It was at Caesars Palace and it was great. I worked in Peter Manfredo’s corner when he fought Sergio Mora. Manfredo got cut numerous times and unfortunately did not get the decision.
Q: “The Contender” must have brought you a lot of attention and new exposure…
A: Yes, I got the chance to be on “The Contender” for three seasons and it has done a lot for me. People recognize me from that; I met a lot of nice people through the show.
Q: So how did you begin your career as a cutman?
A: I started out in amateur fights. My first pro fight was with Carlos Bojorquez up in Oregon at the Seven Feathers reservation in 1998 (which the middleweight boxer won).
Q: Was it a lot different for you working pro fights?
A: It was different actually being in the ring because everyone’s looking at you. I was kind of scared–it being the first time and all. (He chuckles). Now I’ve got my promoter’s license and I also teach people how to wrap hands.
Q: Do you have any mentors in boxing?
A: My good friend Joe Chavez (who will be in Oscar De La Hoya’s corner during this weekend’s bout against Manny Pacquiao) has shown me a lot with wrapping hands. He and I have spent a lot of hours on his back porch talking about boxing.
Q: Any predictions about this weekend’s De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao’s “Dream Match”?
A: De La Hoya is bigger, maybe stronger?
Q: Tell me about your nickname “The Indian”?
A: If you call me “Indian” then I know you’ve got something to do with boxing; if you call me “Willie” I know you have nothing to do with boxing! (He laughs).
Q: How did you originally get interested in boxing?
A: I started boxing when I was younger; I tried it but I was raising a family so I didn’t have much time for it. Then my son did some amateur boxing and I started helping out at the gym and got back into boxing.
Q: Other than Chris Arreola, name your favorite fighter.
A: I really like Julio Cesar Chavez. He’s my top fighter; he’s very tough.
Q: You’ve known the Franco family for a long time and you work a lot with “Lil Warrior”?
A: Yes, we just got word this morning about his next fight–I’ll be in Mike Franco’s corner for his fight on Friday, December 12 in Alameda (Telefutura).
Q: Besides Arreola and Franco, who else have you worked with lately?
A: The main fighters I work with are Jose Lopez, Hector Serrano, Alex Viramontes, Ralph Lopez and there a lot of other fighters I work with.
Q: Any veteran’s advice for young boxers?
A: Stay in the gym and train; don’t get sidetracked. Stay focused.
“Indian” Willie Schunke’s involvement in boxing is more like a “dream job” than a “nightmare” and since he loves to travel, working in corners has also given him the opportunity to visit various locations. In addition to California and Nevada; he lists New York, Connecticut, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, and Washington as some of the favorite states the cutman has worked in.
Willie and his wife, Dolores, also enjoy traveling together too. “The boss lady,” as her husband calls her, says, “We recently went to Alaska twice, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and Canada.” While on these vacations, does “Indian” Willie relax and not think about boxing? Dolores laughs and declares, “It’s always about boxing, 99.9% of the time!”
So the next time you’re at a fight, be sure to look for the “Indian” in the corner!
Photos by Michele Chong: “Indian” Willie Schunke and Chris Arreola; With wife Dolores at a local fight; “Indian” in the ring–gettin’ those gloves back!