Heavyweight scores a KO at Pechanga

The new year has started off with a bang during Pechanga Resort and Casino’s first live boxing show of 2011 held last Friday night in Temecula, California. This Goossen Tutor Promotions card featured the main event of Chris Arreola vs. Joey Abell along with a co-feature bout between Mike Dallas Jr. and Josesito Lopez.

The action took place in the Pechanga Ballroom, but the only dancing showcased was in the ring–with the fleet footwork of the warriors on the canvas. Airing on ESPN2, this highly-anticipated and latest edition of “Friday Night Fights” had been sold out for days. To paraphrase that old Elton John song, “Friday night’s alright for fighting!” The excited and packed crowd was ready for a knockout night. And with four out of six bouts ending in KOs, the audience got what they came for.

For Arreola, this crossroads fight brought forth a lot of questions from the critics. But then again, “The Nightmare” from Riverside has been peppered with questions about his discipline and training habits since his 2009 defeat at the hands of one Vitali Klitschko, and then again after his defeat by Tomasz Adamek last April. After suffering hand injuries in his victory against Manuel Quezada, a lot was riding on this performance. With a new co-trainer in Ronnie Shields and at his lightest weight in two and a half years of 249 pounds, fans and critics alike were wondering, “Is this the ‘new and improved’ Chris Arreola?”

The heavyweight answered all inquiries with his gloved fists.

Scheduled for 10 rounds, the 29-year-old slugger came out looking confident with his walk out song “Not Afraid” by Eminem blaring in the background. No, he wasn’t suddenly sporting any six-pack abs. But yes, he did appear leaner and even meaner. Wearing an L.A. Dodgers cap, the boxer entered the ring and quickly leaned against the ropes giving a shout out to his many loyal supporters.

As ring announcer Sonny Franco took the mic saying, “Where battles are fought and champions are made…Let the battles begin!” Arreola (30-2, 26 KOs) took charge in the evening’s featured attraction. Fighting out of the red corner was his opponent, southpaw Joey Abell (27-5, 26 KOs) from Coon Rapids. Nicknamed “Minnesota Ice,” the Champlin-born Abell shot a couple of good lefts at the hometown favorite that had the audience thinking for a millisecond that maybe, just maybe, this 6′ 4″ challenger would prove to be “willing and able” in going toe to toe against the WBC titlist. But just a few seconds later, Chris did what he does best.

Around the two-minute mark, Arreola had success in landing a hard right. Abell was hurt with his head snapping back against the ropes. Smelling blood, Arreola went in for the kill. Wasting no time with a flurry of monster shots, he connected with a powerful left. But there was still time for a “thoughtful” parting gift for his visiting foe. To add insult to injury, the heavyweight quickly gave his bearded opponent a kiss on the cheek as referee Tony Crebs called a halt to the contest at 2:18 in the opening round.

You may be asking, “Why did Chris kiss him?” Because he could.

The local favorite–this fighting pride of Riverside–is known for his brash spontaneity, his off-the-cuff sense of humor–and for his cursing. Immediately after the win, he told the crowd that “2010 was the worst year of my life–the SHITTIEST. But it’s my fault.” The heavily-inked Arreola then added some more colorful comments while stating that 2011 will be his year. He happily flipped off the cameras, told all the haters to basically shove it, announced he’s back while dropping enough F-bombs to keep his tough street cred intact.

Yep, he’s back, folks. And if his self-assessment proves correct, look for the WBC and NABF champ to add more victories in 2011 as he steps it up in his quest for world titles.

In the post-fight press conference, his promoter, Dan Goossen began by addressing everyone with, “Hey guys! Is he back?” Then a relaxed and very funny Arreola joked with the media as co-trainers Shields, Henry Ramirez, conditioning coach Brian Caldwell and cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke celebrated with the victor. Shields commented that he worked a lot on Chris’ balance while training in Houston for three weeks. The famed Texas trainer also proclaimed that Arreola is “one of the best heavyweights in the world” and has high hopes for his new pupil, who has scored victories over the likes of Travis Walker, Chazz Witherspoon, Jameel McCline, Damian Wells, among others.

Promoter Goossen was pleased that Chris “broke that 250 barrier” on the scales, adding “it’s a start.” Arreola, himself, said that he wants to stay busy and fight four times this year–while keeping his weight down. Team Nightmare would like him to tip the scales in the “low 40s.” The big guy stated his own personal goal is to stay within the “236-244 pound” range and he also admitted Shields had him train on the dreaded StairMaster. He said he hated that “stair thing you climb” but that he loves to eat, adding with a chuckle that he has learned just not to eat so much so late at night.

The amiable power puncher also took the mystery out of the blue embroidered “Lunes” on the front waistband of his satin trunks. His wife’s name is Erin and his 8-year-old daughter is Danae.

So just who is this “Lunes”?

Lunes, meaning “Monday” in Spanish, is an inside joke within the camp.

“I’m a knucklehead,” he nodded, saying that everybody knows that, “and Henry would say, ‘When are you going to the gym?’ and I would always tell him ‘Monday’–and Monday never came!” Arreola then promised he’s gonna continue to prove himself, work and hard and be back in the gym…on “Monday!”

The popular heavyweight does have a sense of humor.

And now he has one more win in his ledger.

Photos by MariaHedrick.com