WBC heavyweight champion Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (36-0, 35 KO’s) and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KO’s) of Riverside met face to face Tuesday afternoon at the Conga Room at L.A. Live in Los Angeles to discuss their summer showdown. The two will clash Saturday July 16 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama live on Premier Boxing Champion on FOX.
Chris Arreola spoke about his opportunity at at world title.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity. A lot of people say that I don't deserve this title fight. A lot of people said Deontay didn't deserve his title shot. I said that. But when he got it, he made the most out of it. He beat the guy who beat me," Arreola said. "I'm blessed to have this opportunity and I'm going to make the most of it," Arreola added.
The champ Deontay Wilder followed as he talked about the matchup.
"This is going to be an exciting fight for everyone. It's two dangerous heavyweights. Two guys who fight with their hearts. It's going to be an action-packed fight from beginning to end," Wilder said. "People said Arreola doesn't deserve the shot, but who are they to say things about a man who every time he gets in the ring, fights with his heart," Wilder added.
Wilder is coming off a knockout over Arthur Szpilka in January. Wilder was originally scheduled to take on WBA champion Alexander Povetkin on May 21 in Moscow. The bout was called off as the Russian, Povetkin tested positive for a banned substance as Wilder will now be taking on the former world title challenger Arreola.
"I feel like this is a special occasion. It's a short notice fight. A lot of guys said they would take it, but used the short notice as an excuse. It takes a lot to put together a fight. But when you can get someone who can make the best of this and put on a great show, it's a job well done," Wilder said. "There's only one name who can make this be what it is. Every time he steps in the ring, he comes to fight. I think we chose the right person," Wilder said.
For Arreola he pulled out a majority decision in his last fight against Travis Kauffman as he got off the canvas to rally. The decision was later overturned to a no decision as Arreola tested positive for marijuana use and failed the post fight drug test as Arreola looks to redeem himself.
"He's defended his title and done everything you're supposed to do as a champion. I respect him a lot. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain," Arreola said. "I'm going to his backyard. I'm fine with people not recognizing me out there. He's going to be dealing with ticket requests and I'm just going to be focused on beating Deontay Wilder," Arreola added.
Wilder vs. Arreola will be a scheduled 12 round championship bout as Wilder will be defending his WBC title for the fourth time with Arreola getting his third opportunity at a world title shot looking to be the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
"I have a guy in front of me who's trying to stop me from getting to the next level. I promise this is going to be an outstanding fight." Wilder said.
"At the end of the day it's me and Deontay Wilder in that ring. That's what I know about this sport, there's a lot of talk, but at the end of the day, it's mano a mano," Arreola said.
Sammy Vasquez Jr. vs Luis Collazo Added to Card
It was also announced that undefeated welterweight contender Sammy "The Sergeant" Vasquez Jr. (21-0, 15 KO's) of Pittsburgh taking on former world champion Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 KO's) of Brooklyn as the bout will be added to the PBC on FOX telecast.
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