Professional Career
In 2003, Goossen-Tutor promoted the 6-foot-3 fighter and turned him pro at heavyweight with little fanfare. Despite his amateur success, Arreola carried a lackadaisical attitude into the pro ranks.
Looking back he says: "I really didn't know if boxing was going to be my career. I wasn't sure about turning pro and once I did, I just took it one fight at a time. But then I starting knocking guys out and I gradually started thinking, 'Hey, maybe I can make some money doing this'."
In 2005 he fought Domonic Jenkins who despite his record of only 6-3 held a win over Malcolm Tann (and later KOd amateur stars Victor Bisbal and Carlos Barnett). After trailing for six rounds he turned the fight around and won by KO.
In 2006 he stopped durable veteran Sedreck Fields, Cuban lefty Damian Norris (who later defeated the unbeaten Roderick Willis) and in a match of unbeaten Californian prospects Damian Wills (coming in at 22-0-0-0).
In 2007 he KOd former amateur star Zakeem Graham (11-0). He was scheduled to fight undefeated Olympian Devin Vargas, brother of his amateur foe Dallas Vargas, but knocked out late sub Malcolm Tann when Vargas got injured in training, in May 2007 on ShoBox. He KO'd Thomas Hayes (record 27-0-0-0) in September 2007, in round 1.
On June 21, 2008, Arreola faced fellow undefeated prospect Chazz Witherspoon (23-0) and defeated him via disqualifaction. In the third round, Arreola landed a barrage of punches that was capped off by a chopping right that sent Witherspoon to the canvas. The bell rang early in the count, prompting Witherspoon's corner to begin entering the ring. This was ruled by the referee to be a disqualification since the round is not technically over until the count is over. But many, including HBO commentator Max Kellerman, believed that the fight would have been stopped and ruled a TKO regardless.
On November 29, 2008, Arreola faced Travis Walker. During the 1st round Arreola was overwhelmed by Walker's power and was outboxed. Arreola came back late in the 2nd round after nearly being knocked down to his knees; Arreola knocked Walker down twice afterwards, eventually knocking Walker out early in the 3rd round improving Arreola's record to 26-0.
Arreola is currently ranked in the top 10 by all four major governing bodies.
His coach Henry Ramirez is only 28 years old. "I had other trainers but they didn't fit my style. I'm a banger... Henry was always giving guys confidence and I liked that." said Arreola of his trainer.
Arreola defeated the previously retired heavyweight veteran Jameel McCline (40-8 23 KO's) on April 11, 2009, with a knockout at 2:01 of the 4th round. Arreola put McCline down with a combination consisting of an uppercut and right cross, and McCline was out cold. The fight was shown on the undercard of the Paul Williams vs Ronald "Winky" Wright bout on HBO Championship Boxing.
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