CHRIS ARREOLA SHOULD “KO” SETH MITCHELL

HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT HAS REAL MEANING

Los Angeles, CA- Chris Arreola (35-3, 30 KOs) has been saying recently that his opponent, former Michigan State football player Seth Mitchell (26-1-1, 19 KO), should wear a football helmet for their heavyweight showdown on Showtime Saturday.  I for one do not think even a helmet can save Mitchell from the beating he is about to take.  I applaud the soon to be floundering prospect for his guts, but I seriously question his management and advisor Al Haymon for allowing this fight to take place.

Arreola has been stopped once in his professional career against none other than WBC champ Vitali Klitschko (45-2, 41 KOs).  That stoppage was more of a “mercy stoppage” than anything.  Chris had taken a prolonged whipping at the hands of Klitschko and seemed to have no chance of winning, so the fight was called.  Mitchell, on the other hand, has been out on his feet several times in fights and suffered his first stoppage loss recently against former cruiserweight (-200 lb.) Johnathon Banks (29-2-1, 19 KOs).

Banks was on his way to stopping Mitchell yet again in their June rematch, but reportedly injured both of his hands and was forced to take his foot off the pedal.  Arreola is a harder hitter and better overall puncher than Banks, so I expect Mitchell’s night to end early.  I do not care if Arreola balloons up to 300 pounds on fight night after emptying the taco truck.  He is a few steps above Mitchell as far as I’m concerned.

Seth’s best bet would be to use those football skills to move around the ring and hammer Chris’ body in the

hopes of wearing him out and catching him with something late.  Even then, Arreola has a solid chin and will not fold, unlike Mitchell.  I think the first hard shot Arreola lands drops Mitchell to the canvas and from the world rankings for good.  The winner is rumored to the facing off against Deontay Wilder (29-0, 29 KOs) next, so this fight has some serious implications.  The loser will become a gatekeeper (or less) in the heavyweight division.

In the co-feature, veteran featherweight (126) Rafael Marquez (41-8, 37 KOs) takes on relative novice  Efrain Esquivas (16-2-1, 9 KOs).  Marquez is longer in the tooth than a saber tooth tiger, but should still be able to get the job done against Esquivas, who is less than average of late at 0-2-1 in his last 3 fights.  Marquez has never had the talent of his older brother Juan Manuel Marquez, but he has carved out a solid career for himself and has some power.  He may become the first to stop the young Esquivas on Saturday night, but so what?

If Marquez has anything left after four wars with Israel Vazquez (44-5, 32 KOs) and years of tough fights, he should be able to pull this off.  If not, his career may meet the same fate as his dear friend the saber tooth tiger; extinction.