Rumors were circulating all over the Internet and the Eastern European media that Wladimir Klitschko might defend against Chris Arreola. The rumors began last week when negotiations between Klitschko and former cruiserweight champ David Haye were stalled after a disagreement over the location of the bout. The postponement of the Goossen Tutor press conference to announce the Cristobal Arreola-Jameel McCline showdown didn’t help either.
But those rumors came to an end when Goossen Tutor Promotions hosted a press conference today at the Sisley Italian Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, CA. to officially announce Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola WBC continental Americas and NABF heavyweight title defense against four-time world title challenger Jameel “Big Time” McCline alongside the previously announced April 11th spectacular main event where three time world champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams is taking on former unified and undisputed world champion, Ronald “Winky” Wright in a scheduled 12-round middleweight bout on HBO’s world championship boxing from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I was sick and had a few personal problems that caused the re-scheduling of the original press conference,” stated Dan Goossen. “We’re here today to make it clear there’s no heavyweight that will beat Arreola, not even Klitschko.”
Arreola (26-0, 23KO’s) received a citation while driving to today’s event, but was still able to address the media, on the other hand the 6-foot-7inch, 270 -pound McCline was a no show.
In Jameel McCline’s (39-9-3, 23KO’s) statement sent via e-mail he stated:
“I planned on attending today, but my new trainer Stacey McKinley and I discussed it over this past weekend and decided that I could not afford to lose the training time by flying from South Florida to Los Angeles.”
“Chris Arreola is not missing any gym time by doing a press conference in his hometown. I, on the other hand, would have missed two to three days for a match that is under a month away.”
“I’ve been around long enough to know that training is essential and I’m really enjoying my new trainer right now. I have what it takes to win this fight, but you only get so many opportunities in this game. I want to give myself the best chance to win by training every day I can.
“I apologize to Dan Goossen and all the media in Los Angeles but I will catch up with everyone during fight week in Las Vegas when I will be fully prepared to take on Chris Arreola on April 11.”
Arreola revealed his thoughts about McClines absence, “I respect that he couldn’t make it due to training. I know he wants to take my ‘0’ away, but he’s wrong, I will send him to retirement before anything.”
“I am in a different level now, I realize I was out of shape when I got on my knee against Travis Walker. I realize this is no joke, its time to play the part of a professional athlete.”
Arreola declared he’s not going back to Big Bear to train.
“I hated Big Bear and that is why I am working my butt off, it feels good to train in my backyard. Floyd Mayweather parties in Las Vegas and trains in Las Vegas why can’t I do that? It’s my comfort zone for me.”
“Thanks to my electrifying trainer,” chuckles Arreola. “Who keeps me on the track, we’re currently sparring 3 minute rounds with 30 second rest. I am 260 right now, but come fight night I will be 240.”
“I’m going to win impressively, remember that! Because when I win I want people to say he earned it.”
Tickets are still available and are priced at $300, 200, $150, $100 and $50 they can be purchase at all ticket master locations or the Mandalay Bay box office.
Photos by by Jan Sanders