Although this coming weekend is a busy one in the boxing world it's not one with many real stand out bouts. In fact the best bouts, at least on paper are the WBO Lightweight title bout between Ricky Burns and Raymundo Beltran and the female Welterweight bout between Cecilia Braekhus and Oxandia Castillo.
Thankfully however HBO are covering a very interesting, at least on paper, Heavyweight clash that promises to be explosive for as long as it lasts, and a bout that should help reinvigorate the Heavyweight scene in the US.
In one corner you have have the the fun to watch and charismatic Chris Arreola (35-3, 30), a former world title challenger who is looking to rebuild his career after a big loss last time out to Bermane Stiverne. In the other corner you have the much hyped Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell (26-1-1, 19) who looks to continue his own rebuilding process following a shock upset loss to Jonathan Banks two fights ago. Sure Mitchell beat Banks in a rematch but did little to convince anyone of his ability to become a world champion.
Courtesy of boxrec.com Thankfully however HBO are covering a very interesting, at least on paper, Heavyweight clash that promises to be explosive for as long as it lasts, and a bout that should help reinvigorate the Heavyweight scene in the US.
In one corner you have have the the fun to watch and charismatic Chris Arreola (35-3, 30), a former world title challenger who is looking to rebuild his career after a big loss last time out to Bermane Stiverne. In the other corner you have the much hyped Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell (26-1-1, 19) who looks to continue his own rebuilding process following a shock upset loss to Jonathan Banks two fights ago. Sure Mitchell beat Banks in a rematch but did little to convince anyone of his ability to become a world champion.
With 49 stoppage victories between them from just 68 bouts this promises to be explosive.
Mitchell, the less proven of the men is seen as arguably the more explosive. A former American football player Mitchell looks the part of an athlete with a powerful physique. He's quick and in shape, two things we can't often say about Heavyweights these days, and has genuinely hurtful power, even if it's not monstrous.
Unfortunately despite looking like an explosive and promising athlete Mitchell doesn't often look like a boxer. Sure he's powerful but his chin has looked questionable with not just the stoppage loss to Banks but also being wobbled by Chazz Witherspoon. He's also still looking raw as a fighter and last time out he looked very nervous, especially early on.
Rather oddly Arreola looks the polar opposite of Mitchell. He often looks out of shape, rotund as opposed to athletic, even in shape Arreola some how looks fat. Despite this he is powerful, tough, has the heart of a lion and unexpectedly good stamina for such a large fighter.
Although not looking like a professional athlete Arreola does have the face of a fighter and seems more relaxed in the ring than Mitchell. Sure he was widely out pointed, busted up and dropped last time out by Stiverne but that probably says more about Stiverne than Arreola with Stiverne appearing like a genuine top 5 fighter in the division.
With the power of Arreola and the some what suspect chin of Mitchell this looks like it could be a very short nights work. Although Mitchell has good power himself and could hurt Arreola it's hard to see his chin lasting long enough to see him finish off Arreola.
Betting
Arreola is rightfully the favourite (1/6), his level of competition is much better than that of Arreola. Sure he has 3 losses on his record but when they've come to Vitali Klitschko, Tomasz Adamek and Stiverne there is no real shame there. On the other hand Mitchell (4/1) has gone 1-1 with his best opponent in the form of Banks.
The interesting market is the over/under here with the early spread seemingly set at 5.5 rounds, though with the under's priced low (2/7) we really don't imagine theres going too be too much pay off, though we would be shocked if it went 4 rounds.
Prediction
Whilst Arreola could be feeling some ill effects of the Stiverne fight wecan't help but think that an early blast out over Mitchell will do his confidence the world of good. With Mitchell's dubious chin it may well only take one clean shot from Arreola to scramble the senses of Mitchell. Whilst Arreola is far from the perfect fighter he does have a knack of landing clean thudding shots and it's unlikely to take long here.
Arreola by TKO3
Mitchell, the less proven of the men is seen as arguably the more explosive. A former American football player Mitchell looks the part of an athlete with a powerful physique. He's quick and in shape, two things we can't often say about Heavyweights these days, and has genuinely hurtful power, even if it's not monstrous.
Unfortunately despite looking like an explosive and promising athlete Mitchell doesn't often look like a boxer. Sure he's powerful but his chin has looked questionable with not just the stoppage loss to Banks but also being wobbled by Chazz Witherspoon. He's also still looking raw as a fighter and last time out he looked very nervous, especially early on.
Rather oddly Arreola looks the polar opposite of Mitchell. He often looks out of shape, rotund as opposed to athletic, even in shape Arreola some how looks fat. Despite this he is powerful, tough, has the heart of a lion and unexpectedly good stamina for such a large fighter.
Although not looking like a professional athlete Arreola does have the face of a fighter and seems more relaxed in the ring than Mitchell. Sure he was widely out pointed, busted up and dropped last time out by Stiverne but that probably says more about Stiverne than Arreola with Stiverne appearing like a genuine top 5 fighter in the division.
With the power of Arreola and the some what suspect chin of Mitchell this looks like it could be a very short nights work. Although Mitchell has good power himself and could hurt Arreola it's hard to see his chin lasting long enough to see him finish off Arreola.
Betting
Arreola is rightfully the favourite (1/6), his level of competition is much better than that of Arreola. Sure he has 3 losses on his record but when they've come to Vitali Klitschko, Tomasz Adamek and Stiverne there is no real shame there. On the other hand Mitchell (4/1) has gone 1-1 with his best opponent in the form of Banks.
The interesting market is the over/under here with the early spread seemingly set at 5.5 rounds, though with the under's priced low (2/7) we really don't imagine theres going too be too much pay off, though we would be shocked if it went 4 rounds.
Prediction
Whilst Arreola could be feeling some ill effects of the Stiverne fight wecan't help but think that an early blast out over Mitchell will do his confidence the world of good. With Mitchell's dubious chin it may well only take one clean shot from Arreola to scramble the senses of Mitchell. Whilst Arreola is far from the perfect fighter he does have a knack of landing clean thudding shots and it's unlikely to take long here.
Arreola by TKO3