Wladimir Klitschko Aiming for December Return

by Scott Christ on Jul 8, 2011 7:12 AM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

Wladimir Klitschko and Dereck Chisora may revisit talks to fight later this year. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is aiming to return to the ring in December, and reportedly has two particular opponents in mind: Mexican-American brawler Chris Arreola or current British heavyweight champ Dereck Chisora.

Arreola (32-2, 28 KO) has gotten his career back on track in a big way in 2011, fighting and winning three times already and getting his weight down into the mid-230s for his last two bouts, looking like a finally-dedicated contender. The 30-year-old California native fights again on Saturday, facing Friday Ahunanya (24-7-3, 13 KO) in New Jersey. He is considered to be the right opponent for Klitschko if Wladimir can book a fight at Madison Square Garden, which is high on his list. Klitschko hasn't fought in the United States since 2008.

As for Chisora (14-0, 9 KO), he defends his title on July 23 against fellow UK prospect Tyson Fury (14-0, 10 KO). Chisora has twice been signed to fight Klitschko, but the dates in December and April fell through as Klitschko battled nagging injuries that forced him to cancel both dates. The fight wasn't received warmly by critics either time it was signed, and a win over Fury isn't likely to make him a more serious contender than he is now.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I hope Fury gets past Chisora. At least then Wlad can look up at the guy he is going to soundly beat.

Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic

by jrok on Jul 8, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

I’d give Arreola better chances against Wlad than he had against Vitali. If the Haye fight showed us anything about Wlad it’s that he can’t fight on the inside at all.

by theninthlayer on Jul 8, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

Your statement is only partially true.

He just doesnt like it because he would open himself to much. Why stay in the pocket and try and exchange uppercuts and hooks, when he could just as easily KO his opponents from the outside with straights and crosses and even jabs?

And his second bout against Peter showed he can indeed hang in the pocket with hard hitters.

I’ve never considered myself as a legend – just a simple man with heart.

by Chorongota on Jul 8, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

What really killed Arreola in the fight against Vitali was Arreola’s incredibly slow foot speed. Vitali simply used his legs to get out of the way of Arreola’s rushes over and over again. Wladimir is, if anything, even more nimble and elusive than Vitali, so unless Chris learns how to cut off the ring better, or unless losing 15 pounds of blubber drastically improves his footspeed, I expect it to look like a repeat of Arreola vs. Vitali, maybe without the post-fight blubbering this time.

by SilverLaker on Jul 8, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions