By Luis Sandoval

You don’t get too many second chances in boxing but Heavyweight Chris Arreola will have a chance at redemption as he’ll be facing Bermane Stiverne for a second time on May 10th with the WBC Heavyweight title also on the line. Arreola was beaten by Stiverne last year but has now put himself back in position to try to win his coveted first major world title.

The matchup promises to be a good one but also making headlines is the man waiting in the wings and the fighter next in line to face the winner. Knockout artist Deontay Wilder who boasts a 31-0 undefeated record with 31 knockouts is eager to face the winner and has been vocal about wanting to face either fighter.

While neither Arreola or Stiverne were interested in talking about Wilder given they are solely focused on each other, BoxingScene was able to get Arreola’s thoughts on Wilder and his latest performance against Malik Scott.

“You know what man…f*** it. If you want me, come and get it. I’m going to get this title so come and get it. I’m not going to sit there and box you. F*** am I going to box you for? I like Malik. Malik’s a cool dude, one of my favorite guys. Did he take a dive? I don’t think he took a dive, he just got caught. It happens. Once I win this fight, let me first win this fight [and] I’ll get Deontay,” Arreola would tell BoxingScene.

“[Deontay’s] never been hit before and when he has, his chicken legs were all wobbly. He looked like he was a drunk pelican. But honestly man, respects go out to him because boxing is a dangerous sport. I’m going to get this title, and I’ll get you next [Deontay]”.

Arreola’s trainer Henry Ramirez has never been fond of Wilder from the beginning and he agrees with his fighter’s sentiment that Wilder’s chin has not been tested. He acknowledges that Wilder packs real power but wonders what will happen once Wilder gets hit back.

“He talks a lot. Apparently I hear he’s going to be [at this fight]. To me I don’t know. Wilder to me is completely unproven. Obviously he can punch but the one thing we all find out at the world class level is how good you take a punch also. We haven’t really found that out about him yet and I think if he were to get hit by Chris or Stiverne, it would be good night for him to be honest. Not to say he couldn’t do the same to them. It’s a possibility but how is he going to react when he’s pushed and he hits someone with his best shot and they hit him back?” said Ramirez.

Wilder at the moment is a very distant thought for all parties involved in the May 10th fight but Wilder will immediately become a real possibility for the winner. If Arreola takes care of business against Stiverne, Team Arreola will definitely welcome the fight.

“Someone who’s going to beat Deontay Wilder isn’t going to him space. He’s going to have to get in his chest and push him back because he’s a big tall guy and gets leverage on his shots. I think him and Chris would be a hell of a fight. I think it would be a hell of a press conference as they both run off at the mouth. But for all this shit he’s talking, he’s definitely going to get a chance to see if he can do it against the top 5 guys”.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007