Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola Preview plus Betting Odds and Prediction

Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola Preview plus Betting Odds and Prediction

By Brad Marchetti, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 26, 2009) Photo © Pavel Terekhov

This Saturday the heavyweight champion of the world Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko will defend his title against Mexican slugger Chris Arreola from the Staples Center in L.A at 10 PM ET on HBO. The unbeaten L.A native Arreola, 27-0, 24 KO’s, will have the crowd on his side but he has no easy task in fighting Klitschko, 37-2, 26 KO’s, who has not lost in over 6 years. Arreola will try to become the first Mexican ever to win a heavyweight championship. Klitschko is as a huge 5-1 favorite on the betting line.

At 6’8” tall with long powerful arms and an awkward style Vitali Klitschko is a pain in the ass to fight. Klitschko is an expert at distance that uses a relaxed hands low style that makes him a very elusive target. Vitali has very-good right hand power and a whipping left hook that he throws fluidly. Klitscko has excellent footwork and deceptively quick hands for his size. Klitschko is a very strong man both mentally and physically that has terrific stamina and punch resistance. Klitscko’s weaknesses are his paper thin skin, age (38) and durability with his numerous injuries. The Over\Under is at 7.5 Rounds with the Under at increased juice at -230.

The tubby 28-year old Chris Arreola is a mean booger that likes to come forward and beat the snot out of his adversaries. Arreola is well-schooled in the fundamentals of boxing and uses a strong jab to set up his combos. Arreola has fast hands for a heavyweight and puts his punches together well to the head and body. Arreola has heavy hands and the heart to mix things up and take risks in the ring. Chris has proven to have an excellent chin but his conditioning is only average because of his inability to put down the fork. Arreola will not win a footrace anytime soon either but he does have good balance. Arreola’s defense is not terrible but he is not a very hard guy to miss. Kitschko has an 86% chance of beating Arreola on the moneyline.

In heavyweight fights with two big punchers anything can happen with 10 oz. leather bombs flying around. Even so, Klitschko has been a very underrated heavyweight for a long time that has only lost a handful of rounds in his career. Arreola has “punchers” chance but not enough of one to take a shot on with your hard earned Benjamin’s. Even in the twilight of his career Klitschko will be able to tame a young bull like Arreola in front of his L.A hombres.

Prediction: Vitali Kitschko -600 (3 UNITS)

Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola Tale-of-The Tape

Vitali Klitschko Tale-of-The Tape

Ht. 6'8"
Wt. 251
Age: 38
Reach 80"
Style: Boxer\Slickster
Best Punch: Straight Right
Rounds Fought: 167

Chris Arreola Tale-of-The Tape

Ht. 6'4"
Wt. 252
Age 28
Reach: 77"
Style: Puncher
Best Punch: Left Hook
Rounds Fought: 81

Marchetti Skill Ratings 1-10

Vitali Klitschko

Size: 9
Power: 8 (x200%)
Boxing Ability: 8 (x200%)
Hand Speed: 7
Stamina: 8
Defense: 9 (x200%)
Durability: 8 (x200%)
Legs: 8
Jab: 8
In-Fighting: 7
Heart: 8
Punch Output: 7

Overall: 8.8

Chris Arreola:

Size: 7
Power: 8 (x200%)
Boxing Ability: 6 (x200%)
Hand Speed: 7
Stamina: 6
Defense: 5 (x200%)
Durability: 8 (x200%)
Legs: 6
Jab: 7
In-Fighting: 8
Heart: 9
Punch Output: 7

Overall: 7.6.