Both of these heavyweight boxers need a wim tonight and their reasons are different.
Undefeated Adam Kownacki (19-0, 15 KOs) wants to keep his undefeated record and hopes to fight heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder or the winner of Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua rematch in the future. Whats funny about that is Kownacki had an opportunity to fight Joshua before Ruiz.
“I could have had an opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua but I was out of shape. So I didn’t pick up the challenge,” Kownacki said. “So from now on, I’m in boxing shape. That’s it. Because the title shot could come around the corner in a couple of weeks’ notice because injuries and accidents happen. So I’m definitely going to be in camp nonstop, always working and perfecting my craft.”
Chris Arreola (38-5-1, 33 KOs) just wants to keep his boxing career alive.
“I’m in boxing to be a champion. If I lose, it brings me all the way back to the bottom, and I don’t want to keep crawling back up and keep crawling back up again. I’m too old to be doing that,” Arreola said.
Both have the same 73 inch reach, both 6’3″ and Arrerola weighs four pounds less than Kownacki. I expect both to put up a fight, a lot of power punches but Kownacki may be the only one who can stand them since he’s eight years younger than Arreola. Not taking credit away from Arreola who hired trainer Joe Goossen.
“I like that he’s old school, a very old school kind of coach,” Arreola said, “He makes sure he’s there every minute of training camp. It was very beneficial, and it was a great experience for me. I can’t wait to fight so I can put everything on the line.”
Arreola hasn’t had a good win since 2013 against Seth Mitchell but the only way I see him winning this fight is to catch Kownacki early. I will give Arreola a lot of credit for just going a full 12 rounds with Kownacki but I don’t see it happening.
Tune in for the heavyweight fight starting at 8 p.m. EST on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
Take a look at their workouts before tonight’s event on the next page.