Adam Kownacki and Chris Arreola Go to War in Brooklyn

How do you say “Fun Fight?” How do you say “don’t miss it?” How do you say excitement? How about Kownacki vs. Arreola at Barclays Center on August 3?

Fighting at Barclays is almost like fighting in Poland for the schmoo-like Adam “Babyface” Kownacki (19-0, 15 KOs). Born in Lomza, Poland, but a resident of Brooklyn since the age of seven, Kownacki will be fighting here for the ninth time, but this time with a difference; he will be in the main event.

“I’m excited to be back…,” said the down-to-earth and affable Pole. “Fighting Chris Arreola will be another step on my journey to become a world champion. It will be a Polish-Mexican War that will bring fireworks to Brooklyn.”

For his part, Arreola (38-5-1, 33 KOs) has contended for the world heavyweight title three times, most recently against WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2016. Arreola, 38, has won two straight since losing to Wilder, including a third round stoppage of Haitian Jean Pierre Augustin (17-0-1) in March.

This was on the undercard of the Spence vs. Garcia PPV fight in Dallas. “The Nightmare,” weighing a svelte 237 pounds, looked shockingly fit and ready; the look of foreboding on Augustin’s face during the announcement said it all. Arreola was in blowout mode (as he often is) and blew away Augustin who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The Nightmare” clearly has fought a higher level of opposition but aside from his bout against the unheralded and tedious Augustin, he hasn’t looked in top form since blowing away Seth Mitchell in 2013. Moreover, his experience could be offset by his age, ring mileage, and the younger Kownacki’s “home field advantage” at Barclays where he has built up a tremendous fan base.

Arreola said, “I can’t wait to step into the ring on August 3 and show everyone I’m still one of the best heavyweights in the world…I feel rejuvenated and ready to upset Adam Kownacki in front of his fans. He better be ready, because I’m going to bring it to him like he’s never seen before. This is going to be a war and I will leave with my hand raised.”

When Chris’s weight is under 250, he is a very dangerous heavyweight, especially in the early rounds. Once he has his opponent hurt, he closes as well as anyone in boxing. This Mexican-American, raised in East Los Angeles, was an accomplished amateur and knows his way around the ring with a solid grasp of fundamentals.

The Ruiz Factor

“I’m just a chubby guy fighting for the everyman, you don’t need muscles like Joshua.” –Andy Ruiz

Even if “The Nightmare” comes in at a higher weight, he should not be taken lightly given what Andy Ruiz did to Anthony Joshua. Boxing fans now know that looks can be deceiving as the variables of hand speed, stamina, techniques, and ring IQ become more relevant than muscle mass, an issue that this time around will be moot.

Kownacki has been somewhat derided for his Pillsbury doughboy physique with his size seeming to get larger in the lower parts of his body, thus giving him that aforementioned schmoo-like look that older fans will recall from the 50s and 60s. Nevertheless, he has a super-exciting, fan-friendly style. He keeps coming and coming, initiating the stalk at the opening bell, wearing down his opponents with a high punch volume and deceptive power.

His last outing against a panicking Gerald Washington was a blowout, but prior to that he fought a tremendous action fight against Prince Charles Martin which he won over 10 close rounds. While he showed a great chin and tenacity in this one, there were signs that he was tiring late, thus raising the specter of stamina.

Like Arreola, Babyface was an accomplished amateur. He spars a lot with Jarrell Miller—the two are close friends—and he fights in a similar manner except that his shots seem to carry more pop than Big Baby’s.

Also on this excellent card, former world champion Andre Berto meets Miguel Cruz in a welterweight clash and unbeaten interim WBA light heavyweight world champion Marcus Browne duels former titleholder Jean Pascal.

Ted Sares is a member of Ring 8, a lifetime member of Ring 10, and a member of Ring 4 and its Boxing Hall of Fame. He also is an Auxiliary Member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is an active power lifter and Strongman competitor in the Grand Master class.

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