On Friday August 13th from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) will take on Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) in this weeks “Friday Night Fights” main event. Both Latino Heavyweights are looking to get back on the winning track as they both under performed in they’re last outing coming away with decision losses.

Arreola was last seen square up against Cruiserweight turned Heavyweight Tomasz Adamek in a very entertaining back and forth fight from the same arena ESPN will be broadcasting on Friday night. On paper the bout looked even with an edge leaning towards the stronger Arreola, but due to his lack of weight discipline and a broken right hand the more mobile and counter punching Adamek earned a Majority Decision. That result tallied up Arreola’s record over the last three fights to just 1 – 2, after starting his promising career with an impressive record of 27-0 with 24 KOs. In order to avoid becoming a Heavyweight doormat for future Heavyweight contenders Arreola has to get serious about his career starting with an impressive win against “El Toro” Quezada.

Quezada, fighting out of Wasco, California, will be arriving to Ontario as the shorter man by 3″ at 6′-1″ in his first real test in the Heavyweight division. It will also seem likely that he will be the lighter fighter in the ring as he has averaged a weight of 227 lbs. over his last 6 fights while Arreola has averaged a disappointing 255 lbs. They’re lot things that are working against Quezada besides his physical attributes, like his inability to avoid getting hit fairly easily by his opponents. In his last bout against Jason Gavern he started out with good speed and effective jab but he abandoned it quickly when he was starting to get hit by the very mobile Gavern. Quezada started to lose focus and his forward aggression was being picked apart all while noticeably getting tired after the 6th round. It could be assumed that Quezada doesn’t have to worry about mobility in this bout but his bad habit of abandoning his jab and keeping his hands low will only play into his opponent’s hands.

Both of these Heavyweight contenders have recently faced fellow American Heavyweight Travis Walker with Arreola meeting him first back in late 2008. Arreola came out of the bout victorious but not without getting his chin tested as he was dropped by a right hand early in the 2nd round. Arreola showed his heart that night as he got up to overpower Walker dropping him three times, the last in the 3rd round without needing the referee to start counting. Quezada on the other hand faced him 13 months ago where he used his jab and movement to set up a perfect 1-2 combo that knocked out Walker late in the first round.

After you add everything up this fight seems to be overwhelmingly in Arreola’s favor to come out with another win under his belt. His extensive amateur career and overall boxing ability, hidden under his ballooned shell, gives him the luxury of boxing or brawling with the smaller Quezada. Another advantage is his solid chin, Arreola can take a punch which makes it easier for him to make mistakes and be able to recover. For Quezada to come out victorious he has to fight a very discipline fight he can’t afford mistakes especially if he might be outweighed by 30 lbs or so. El Toro has to work behind his good jab to keep Arreola guessing, he can’t sit and trade especially early when he has a fresh Arreola across the ring. Movement and a busy work rate have to be key for Quezada throughout the fight to raise his chances of catching him with a big punch or outworking him to a decision win.

This is a crucial fight for both these fighters and a loss would be a huge setback for their world title aspirations. That reality in itself should be enough motivation to the fighters to put on a show for all the fans tuning in. The numbers are pointing towards a short night with 43 combine knockouts in 57 fights. One thing is for sure, however long it lasts, chances are we’re in for some fireworks come Friday night.

1. Arreola Fails to Impress, Lopez Takes UD