Arreola need not hang his head after loss
Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 3:54PM BY FRANKLIN McNEIL/Boxing column
Taking training seriously had never been a top priority for Cristobal Arreola. He always did just enough to knock off a few pounds and build his confidence before taking on the next opponent.
Cristobal Arreola eats a left from WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko at Staples Center in Los Angeles./Pavel Terekhov
That approach served Arreola well during the first 27 fights of his pro career. During that span he walked through every opponent, sending 24 of them home early.
But for all the success he enjoyed, Arreola knew his lackadaisical approach to training would not serve him well against WBC heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko. If Arreola had any chance of scoring an upset last night at Staples Center, being in tiptop physical condition was paramount.
So Arreola trained like never before; hitting the gym at least twice a day. The hard work paid off: Arreola was in the best shape of his fighting life. He was prepared to go 12 hard rounds and become the first Mexican-American world heavyweight champion.
Chris Arreola, Vitali Klitschko, WBC, boxing 