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Chris Arreola has been a heavyweight contender with a hopeful push for many years now, and despite a weak era for the division, plenty of power and talent, and every opportunity, he has to date failed to win a world title, falling well short in his only attempt back in 2009 against Vitali Klitschko.
Over the years, Arreola has heard it all, because he's done it all. He's been fat, lazy, and at times seemingly indifferent to whether or not he lives up to his own expectations, or those of anyone else. With another world title shot on the horizon for May 10, Arreola says he's completely focused and dialed in, and that he won't let another chance slip away.
"I'm very desperate. I've done a lot of dumb shit in my life, and it's time to stop and to man up. It's time to handle my responsibilities in more ways than one. It's time for me to stay in the gym and to be responsible in life in general. It's time for me to man up. I have to be a man and work hard. There's no 'He should have done this,' or, 'He should have done that.' I'm doing what I'm supposed to do in the gym. ... I hate losing. The fact that I get to avenge my loss, that means the world. But, you have to add to it that I get to fight for the world title and to make history, it all comes together. Bermane did what he had to do in the first fight, and this fight, I have to do what I have to do, which is to bring the fight to him and to put him on his heels."
Arreola (36-3, 31 KO) was dominated by Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO) last April, but came back in September to demolish once-hot prospect Seth Mitchell in just 2:26, keeping his name in the mix.
The May 10 rematch for the vacant WBC title will be televised by ESPN, giving Arreola what may be a career-biggest audience. As much as he's let himself down in the past, one fight could be enough to validate the push, and that fight is coming.