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By Lyle Fitzsimmons - It’s only been three rounds.
Actually, just a shade more than six minutes.
Yet in terms of his development as a heavyweight contender and expectant one-day champion, it’s seemed like far more for Chris Arreola.
“I learned from what happened to me. I can remember what it felt like to get hit and be down on my knee, and I’m making sure it doesn’t happen to me again,” said the now 28-year-old Californian of his tumultuous November TKO of Travis Walker.
In that fight, Arreola – who entered at a pristine 25-0 and was widely expected to handle the once-beaten but untested Walker – was instead driven to the canvas in the opening round during a 100-plus punch barrage from his 6-foot-4, 231-pound foe.
He rose in time to beat the count from referee Jack Reiss, however, and quickly regained control in the second round to batter the rugged, but suddenly fatigued Floridian before scoring the stoppage early in the third.
Still, the memory remains.
“It was my fault. I fought his fight for four minutes. I’ve got to give him some credit. He came in shape and to win, but I was disgusted with myself,” Arreola said. “I’ll always have the image of seeing my daughter and wife crying, and it’ll motivate me.”
Arreola, who weighed 254 pounds against Walker – a full 15 heavier than he’d been just five months earlier against Chazz Witherspoon – claims the near-miss has driven him to more intense preparation for his next test, set for April 11 in Las Vegas. [details]
Actually, just a shade more than six minutes.
Yet in terms of his development as a heavyweight contender and expectant one-day champion, it’s seemed like far more for Chris Arreola.
“I learned from what happened to me. I can remember what it felt like to get hit and be down on my knee, and I’m making sure it doesn’t happen to me again,” said the now 28-year-old Californian of his tumultuous November TKO of Travis Walker.
In that fight, Arreola – who entered at a pristine 25-0 and was widely expected to handle the once-beaten but untested Walker – was instead driven to the canvas in the opening round during a 100-plus punch barrage from his 6-foot-4, 231-pound foe.
He rose in time to beat the count from referee Jack Reiss, however, and quickly regained control in the second round to batter the rugged, but suddenly fatigued Floridian before scoring the stoppage early in the third.
Still, the memory remains.
“It was my fault. I fought his fight for four minutes. I’ve got to give him some credit. He came in shape and to win, but I was disgusted with myself,” Arreola said. “I’ll always have the image of seeing my daughter and wife crying, and it’ll motivate me.”
Arreola, who weighed 254 pounds against Walker – a full 15 heavier than he’d been just five months earlier against Chazz Witherspoon – claims the near-miss has driven him to more intense preparation for his next test, set for April 11 in Las Vegas. [details]
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