Vitali Klitschko, who shares three of four major belts with brother Wladimir, puts his World Boxing Council title on the line when he meets Cristobal Arreola in a heavyweight bout Saturday.
Vitali Klitschko, who shares three of four major belts with brother Wladimir, puts his World Boxing Council title on the line when he meets Cristobal Arreola in a heavyweight bout Saturday.
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Klitschko, who has battled injuries which led to a four-year hiatus from the sport, is the heavy favourite for Saturday's fight at Staples Center arena.
"This will be fight number three at Staples and I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles," Klitschko said. "For me it is the biggest arena and I am ready to fight there. I will show my skills and punch in the ring."
The 38-year-old Klitschko has not lost since a 2003 bout against Lennox Lewis at Staples that was stopped by the referee because of a deep cut over his left eye.
Wladimir is the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization title holder and together the two Ukrainian brothers who live in Germany cut a striking figure with their ripped physiques.
Vitali Klitschko tipped the scales at 252 pounds at Friday's weighin for Saturday's fight.
"I am always in shape," Vitali said. "It is never tough to get in shape. I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs. I always maintain the fitness."
This marks Klitschko's third fight on his comeback from the four-years off.
Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs) is trying to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win a heavyweight belt.
Much has been made of Arreola's weight for Saturday's bout. He even joked about it at the weigh in, initially stepping on the scale with a weighted vest hidden under his t-shirt.
But his weight for Saturday's fight is no laughing matter. The 28-year-old Arreola weighed 239 pounds 15 months ago when he beat Chris Witherspoon but has beefed up to 251 for the fight against Klitschko.
"It's not going to go far, plain and simple," Arreola said. "It is going to be a knockout fight and it is going to be exciting.
"I am going to bring emotion and determination to win the title for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans to celebrate. That is my goal."
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