Philippines, 18 Jul 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:

  • Diego Pacheco and Immanuwel Aleem Tip Scales for Carson Showdown
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Weights From ‘Flores vs. Navarro’ and 'Suarez vs Avila' at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA &  Live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • "Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc.
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Asian Youth Chess in China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Ryan Garcia Set to Defend World Title Against Conor Benn in Paramount+ Global Bout at T-Mobile Arena on September 12 over Mexican Independence Day Weekend
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Fight Result: Yuga Ozaki Stops Jerry Francisco in Tokyo
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Bruno Tarimo returns to Headline Dragon Fire Boxings next event; BOXINGMANIA August 8th in a WBA Championship clash with Junlun Zhao
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The WBC Reaps Rewards in Uruguay
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Risky proposition for Charly
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Michael Zerafa opponent revealed as August 12 tickets go on sale for Gold Coast blockbuster
    , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Stay in the Hunt Despite Opening Setback, Shift Focus to Japan Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • BiYu Promotions' Yusniel Abrahante Ready to Shock Undefeated Luis Coria on ProBox TV This Saturday
    , Wed, 15 Jul 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.