What Are The Chances of an Andy Ruiz v Chris Arreola Rematch?
At the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, former unified world heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz (34-2, 22 KOs) pounded out a hard-fought unanimous decision win over former two-time world title challenger Chris “Nightmare” Arreola (38-7-1, 33 KOs).
While the scores were wide in Ruiz’s favor (118-109 twice, 117-110), it was a fierce and hotly contested battle throughout. Arreola started on fire, knocking down Ruiz in round two and hurt him again in the third. Halfway through, the fight seemed up for grabs. Then slowly but surely, Ruiz started to adjust his mode of attack. In round eight, Arreola shook his left arm after getting hit with a Ruiz right hand. From that point on, the tide shifted to Ruiz’s advantage as he took control during the second half of the fight.
THEY WANT MORE
Both men congratulated one another after the fight but indicated that they would be willing to fight each other again. For Ruiz, if the handlers are up to it, he is down.
“If he wants to run it back, we can run it back, Chris Arreola-Andy Ruiz II.”
– Andy Ruiz
Arreola was even more affirmative in his desire to fight Ruiz for a second time. He respects the former champ and gave him praise. However, he believed the fight was closer than the judges’ scorecard indicated. If it were his choice, he wants to do it ASAP.
“Did he win, fine? But don’t tell me you’re only going to give me 2 or 3 rounds. Fuck that! I’mma be like Dr. Dre, all y’all can suck my motherfuckin’ dick!
In all honesty, we can run this back. Let’s do this again, man. Because look at me, look at my face, I’m still good. I’m still ugly, but shit, I’m still good.”
– Chris Arreola
RUN IT BACK?
Should there be a rematch? Why not. Overall, Ruiz v Arreola was an action-packed bout. Fans in attendance thoroughly enjoyed it and cheered loudly once the fight was over. Boxing social media was also thoroughly entertained.
It is Ruiz’s first fight since losing the titles in his rematch against Anthony Joshua in December of 2019. Though he defeated Arreola, he will not get a sniff of a world title shot anytime soon. Joshua is in the final stages of a proposed showdown against WBC World Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. It would behoove the former champ to stay active. He was known to have major weight issues in the past.
As the state of California is beginning to pull back on crowd restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Ruiz v Arreola rematch could spell big money, particularly in southern California. We are talking about two Mexican American heavyweights, something rarely seen in boxing. The west coast and Mexican American markets have a lot of weight and gravitas in the sport.
You could see that audience shell out big money for a rematch, either at an outdoor stadium or even an indoor arena like Staples Center in Los Angeles this fall. With this being a money sport as much as anything else, the dollars may well move towards witnessing these two heavyweight warriors facing off again. How many fans would turn down Ruiz v Arreola II? Not many.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
