Philippines, 19 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Chris Arreola blames no broken toes on lackluster outing in Atlantic City


PhilBoxing.com




Atlantic City, N.J. - Heavyweight Chris Arreola won last Saturday's fight against journeyman Friday Ahunanya but his face and demeanor showed that of a fighter dissatisfied with his performance. And rightfully so. In a fight where he is expected to dominate and come up with a knockout victory, Arreola's performance was somewhat anemic. Not only was he unable to sent the tough Nigerian to the canvass but was at times caught with shots that Ahunanya dished out. Arreola acknowledged his below par performance after the fight as he talked to the press moments after his UD win. "I couldn't pull the trigger." was his initial comment of his performance. "I should have knocked him out too" he replied after a member of the press pointed out that Ahunanya just got knocked once in his career. "It should have been two times with me. No offense with him, he has a solid chin. He has good combinations, but it should have not lasted this long." Arreola even compared his performance to that of David Haye's lackluster outing against Vladimir Klitschko last week in Germany. "I am very embarrassed of myself. I look like (expletive)! I almost look as bad as Haye did." A comment that drew laughter and disapproval from the press row knowing that this was a better performance than that of Haye's.

Arreola was humble in a fight that he won knowing that much is expected of him. He knocked out his last three opponents prior to tonight's fight here at the Boardwalk Hall Arena. But Ahunanya who came here with after losing two straight refused to be a willing KO victim on Arreola's resume. He withstood Arreola's body attack and head shots and even manage to catch Arreola with combinations of his own in the 4th round. The strong chinned Ahunanya who now resides in Las Vegas was in trouble in the ending moments of the 7th after Arreola hit him in the head with combinations which drew cheers from the crowd here in New Jersey. He got cornered and hurt in the succeeding round with another body and head combinations from Arreola prompting the ringside physician to take a look at him after the round ended. Arreola won with scores of 100 -90 and two cards of 99-91 from the judges at ringside.

Arreola's admission of his bland performance was a breath of fresh air after listening to David Haye's excuses following last week's highly publicized heavyweight match between Haye and Vladimir Klitschko. In it, Haye blamed the loss on a broken toe in his right foot that he even showed after the fight in full view of the world. "I am very, very, very disappointed. And it is my fault. And it's not Friday (Ahunanya), because Friday (Ahunanya) came to fight. Vladimir, he could blame David Haye because David injured his toe. You should see my toe. My toes are all f_ _ _ _d (expletive) up." Arreola's name is being mentioned as a possible opponent for Vladimir Klitschko who now holds five belts of the heavyweight division. One that Arreola admits he would want to pursue despite losing on his first try against the other Klitschko champ in Vitali. That loss was Arreola's first lost of his career in a fight held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA in 2009. He is 7 - 1 after that. His other loss was a MD loss to Thomasz Adamek in 2010 who will face Vitali Klitschko in Poland in the fall. " I asked him if he is willing to undergo an elimination fight between him and Haye with the winner getting a chance at the belt of which he replied. " Well, David Haye is already eliminated. He is already out of the race. Haye shouldn't even be talking right now. Haye should be home resting and thinking about his life." A comment that brought smiles to the reporters that are gathered around him.

The heavyweight decision is in a lull right now. A deep lull. The dominance of the Klitschko brothers failed to excite even the most hardcore boxing fans. Challengers like Haye and Arreola who are perceived to be a threat to them in the ring are the only ones that revives them. The debacle that is Vladimir Klitschko versus David Haye last week in Germany just put the heavyweight division in a coma. Haye's performance was nothing short of a failure both against Vladimir Klitschko and especially to the fans he who bought the hype that he brought to himself and the fight. His sales talk leading to the fight failed to live up to its expectations. His excuse afterwards is even more revolting. Chris Arreola lost his first try of winning the title against Vitali in 2009 but because of his style and winning record of late and also because of the fact that there are no other viable opponents out there for Vladimir, Arreola could very well be facing him soon. But he must put up a different performance than the one he showed last Saturday in his next couple of fights to stir up excitement for that big fight. Anything comparable or lesser to it is just not worth it and he knows it himself. He can not be another version of David Haye.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Hometown Hero Edward Vazquez Returns to ProBoxTV on Friday, June 5, to Face Mexico’s Daniel Lugo in the 10-round Main Event of ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • AQ Prime to host 2 big tournaments
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • June 6 announcement: Padley-Fiaz to Main Event in Sheffield after Galal Yafai setback
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title.
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eman-Perez rematch now title-match
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • ”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • IIEE Metro Central dominates the IIEE National Midyear Convention sportsfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Ancajas Boxing team to join Koronadal slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.