Team Arreola is Ready

Heavyweight Battles Aguilera in Carson

Heavyweight Chris Arreola (30-2, 26 KOs) heads back in the ring TONIGHT, Saturday, May 14 at the Home Depot Center in Carson. This Southern California showdown will pit the Riverside slugger against the Dominican Republic’s Nagy Aguilera (16-5, 11 KOs) in the co-main on the Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham collision airing on Showtime.

Between the two of them, there will be close to 500 pounds on the canvas when the bell rings. But for Arreola, he will be sporting a new, somewhat slimmer physique as he enters the contest. He came in at 234 at Friday’s weigh-in with his opponent Aguilera tipping the scales at 238.

The weight of 234 for the slugger is already a small victory for Team Arreola.

At this week’s final press conference leading into the fight, the camp promised that Chris would stay right on target. After the Riverside boxer, nicknamed “The Nightmare,” hit some roadblocks (in the form of Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek) in his quest to be the first Mexican-American heavyweight champ, Arreola has received more attention to matters of his weight and discipline than for his talents inside the ropes.

And at the news luncheon, held at the famed Morton’s eatery (known for their steak and prime rib), his promoter Dan Goossen cheerfully reminded Chris to stick to the low-cal fish!

Chris stuck to salad while he told me he would “come under 240” at the official weigh-in.

“How much lower?” I asked.

“At least 237, 236…maybe even lower!” Arreola, a WBC Continental Americas and NABF Champ promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, promised.

Making good on the team’s promise, the heavyweight surprised some with his 234 mark, after having fought as high as 271 in the past.

So while he seems to be winning the “Battle of the Bulge,” Chris will look to prove himself once again when he squares off against challenger Aguilera. His trainer, Henry Ramirez, has mentioned to me that they are expecting an early knockout from “The Nightmare.”

The Riverside boxing trainer has been in Chris’ corner since he first turned pro. Besides working with Chris, Ramirez also trains NABF Light Welter Champion Josesito Lopez, rising star Jonathan Arellano, among a stable of others. Ramirez, low-key in high-profile events, is always one of my favorite coaches to chat with. Direct in his manner, frank in his opinions, Henry always keeps it real. And the trainer and his most famous pupil are also good friends with an easy rapport between them. At this week’s final presser, he echoed Chris’ promise of coming in at a lower weight.

Now fans will see if this renewed Arreola, whose camp says is “rededicated” to the sport will impress those watching.

There is also one special person who will be watching, confident of a Team Nightmare victory.

Visiting with Arreola’s “better half,” Erin told me that she agrees that it will be an early end to the fight, believing Chris will score a knockout. “By the third or fourth round?” I asked her. “Maybe even earlier!” she answered.

Plenty of fight fans recognize Erin, who’s been with Chris for 11 years, when the young woman with the striking good looks is shown on the big screen at live fights and also during TV broadcasts. Much like Shane Mosley’s beautiful girlfriend, model Bella Gonzalez or Carl Froch’s pretty wife Rachael Cordingley, Erin receives a lot of attention from the crowd while sitting ringside. There are always plenty of cheers and wolf whistles from the appreciative male fans when her image is flashed on the screens, with many at home “freeze framing” the beauty.

But she doesn’t court the limelight. She’s a proud mother to their young daughter, Danae, 9 years old who is content to stay “in the background.” While they visit the gym at times, Erin also respects the team and isn’t your typical “stage wife.” While offering complete support in Chris’ prizefighting career, Erin says Danae has been practically raised in the gym.

“She first visited the gym since she was maybe a couple of weeks old,” Erin says with a laugh. “When she was less than a month old, she watched her dad in the ring. She would just follow him with her eyes!” But don’t expect the little girl to become a female fighter in the future. The heavyweight’s daughter isn’t in the gym hitting the heavybags, she likes hittin’ the books. Danae is a scholarly type who plans on becoming a veterinarian. Her mom tells me with pride that the third grader is reading at fifth grade level.

And speaking of reading, I am curious if Erin checks out the tons of boxing sites, blogs or comment sections with words about her husband. Obviously, since many are critical of Chris’ career (saying he is an underachiever who’s been given grand opportunities), I wondered if she sneaks a peek at what they write.

She admits that yes, she does occasionally read both the negative–along with any positive comments–as well. But she doesn’t let it get to her. Erin knows Chris is in good hands with Henry (who also has a very lovely lady of his own, Olivia) and the whole “Nightmare” team. And through his career, she’s seen it all–through thick and thin.

Now the camp is ready for tonight’s fight. “He’s moving more; better head movement too!” says Erin of Chris’ training for the Aguilera matchup. While she hasn’t seen any tapes of his foe, Erin is supremely confident in her man. And through the years, she’s become a big boxing fan too.

“She knows a lot about boxing,” nods Chris, as he joins us, putting an arm on Erin’s shoulder. On his right arm is a colorful strip of ink showcasing the words “Nightmare” and I also see a tat by his neck of a tooth, a blue one to be exact. “Bluetooth,” get it? In that regards, the funny side of Chris remains.

Known for his irreverent sense of humor, foul language and myriad of tattoos, this slimmer Arreola does seem more serious this time in his training.

Will this be a “NEW” Chris Arreola, at last?

One of his biggest supporters and longtime member of “Team Nightmare” believes this “new” Arreola could be here to stay.

Veteran writer and fellow Riverside resident Bill O’Neill says this is a new Chris, who will “unveil his slimmed-down physique looking to score an impressive knockout.” And O’Neill is hoping that his boxing buddy will keep with this “newfound dedication to the sport.” Bill still sees the potential in him that many saw early in Chris’ career.

Will tonight change the minds of his harshest critics? Will tonight garner the heavyweight new fans?

What do YOU think, fight fans?

Does Chris Arreola look ready to you?

Watch tonite as the big guys goes toe to toe against the “Dominican Dynamite” Nagy Aguilera.

For tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Photos by Michele Chong