By Nick Bellafatto
Deemed second-rate by some due to long standing champion Vitali Klitschko vacating his crown to enter the Ukranian political fray, this weekend’s contest nonetheless pits the WBC’s number 1 and 2 ranked contenders for its version of boxing’s most coveted prize.
That’s to say Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-3, 31 KO’s) in what will be a rematch is looking to turn the tables against top-rated Bermane “B.Ware” Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO’s), who shattering Chris’s nose one year ago would along with it preempt Arreola’s immediate title aspirations.
Nothing new for the Riverside, California native who with two prior opportunities to claim championships had come up short before hometown fans so that once the bell rings inside USC’s Galen Center this Saturday night, consider “The Nightmare” on a mission to redeem himself.
Equally feeling they are the division’s best, both Haitian born Stiverne and Mexican descendent Arreola while hashing out any differences come fight night, happen to find themselves in the unique position of becoming the first of their respective nationalities, barring a draw or otherwise, to capture a worlds heavyweight title.
An intriguing prospect which while having historical significance is not likely to in the heat of the moment factor in nor contribute towards the outcome. Having said that, what will perhaps prove pivotal, strategy and skill-set aside, is the attitude that accompanies each fighter into the ring.
On the one hand you have Cristobal Arreola, who one missed opportunity after another feel’s they are fleeting so that he’s in a desperate situation. Add to this the fact that “The Nightmare” is emotionally driven, looking to feed off of crucial losses to both Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek while more vividly wanting to avenge his defeat at the hands of Stiverne, and this motivational aspect could very well pay dividends.
Then there’s the initial encounter which finds Chris behind a jab swaying things in his favor up until the fateful moment when “B.Ware” with a crushing right broke his nose to change the course of action. Could a seemingly more focused and disciplined Arreola repeat early efforts while avoiding game changing damage?
Whether the above plays out to an extent that garners “The Nightmare” an all important victory is uncertain, but from the perspective of Bermane himself he seems all too content just being in the position he’s in, perhaps at the expense of a sense or urgency.
Maybe he’s just cool, calm, and collected beyond my sense of things but I’m just not feeling the hunger from the Stiverne side that says Bermane’s ready to seize the moment. Combine this with understandably not wanting to risk his position while awaiting a showdown with Vitali Klitschko, and the resulting year of inactivity could prove detrimental.
Pure speculation on my part but just maybe taking on a non-threatening opponent during this stretch may have better served “B. Ware’s” interests as opposed to playing basketball and such to remain active. I mean after all he will be on a seriously elevated platform here.
Be that as it may, Stiverne is from a mental standpoint good with this, the question being will his body respond in kind? In carving out a wide-margin decision against Arreola the first time around Bermane executed diligently, using a timely jab, angles, and the ring to his advantage.
In light of this “B. Ware’s” job ahead, a man who is according to trainer Don House too versatile for one-trick pony Arreola, is to in the return match mimic those efforts and then some. This takes into consideration that “The Nightmare” will be in much better shape while looking to build upon momentum gathered from his one-round demolition of footballer Seth Mitchell.
All told it should be a heck of a scrap for the world’s heavyweight title, to have an interested observer in the form WBC mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder sitting ringside. Will Bermane Stiverne along with familiar backer Don King divvy up a slice of the heavyweight pie, or will the vastly more experienced Arreola as planned put his counterpart on the defensive to in workmanlike fashion obtain that which has eluded him?
Catch all the action on ESPN this Saturday, May 10th as Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne of La Plaine, Haiti clashes with Riverside, California’s own Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola in “Fight for Peace-Heavyweight History,” a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC Heavyweight Championship live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Noche de Combates (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
