Chris Arreola: Has He Done Enough to Deserve a Shot at Wladimir Klitschko?

After a dominating performance against Rafael Butler, Chris Arreola seems to be in pole position to fight Wladimir Klitschko. That is, if the Ukrainian can get past Jean Marc Mormeck next month.

Arreola has been put through a hectic fight schedule this year as he tries to position himself for a title shot, fighting five times in 2011. After his latest win, both Arreola and Klitschko's camp are hinting that the two will meet in 2012, possibly in April.

Arreola has come back with a focus that was sorely lacking earlier in his career. By slimming down from above the 250-pound mark to below 240, the American is showing that he is finally willing to put the effort into his training.

With the loss of weight, Arreola should be able to get inside with more ease against a bigger fighter like Wlad. This was something he found hard to do against Vitali, when he weighed in at 251 pounds, only a pound lighter than a man almost four inches taller than him.

Arreola has the advantage of having the fight with Vitali under his belt. Knowing what is going to be expected of him means that he will go into a fight with Wlad under no illusions.

The fight does not just make sense for Arreola, but for Klitschko as well. It is hard to see anyone being a credible threat to Wladimir at the moment, but the Mormeck fight is a real slap in the face for fight fans.

The Frenchman has done nothing in the heavyweight division to suggest that he is ready for Klitschko. Of his three heavyweight fights in two years, only one has gone twelve rounds and all have gone to decision.

He comes in giving up over six inches and almost thirty pounds. He also has a six-inch shorter reach and is four years older. On paper, the Frenchman has no chance of winning or even being competitive.

This appraisal might be wrong, as unlikely fighters sometimes bring out good performances from the Klitschko's. Albert Sosnowski seemed to have little chance but brought a good performance out of Vitali.

As with Sosnowski, fans will see a fighter willing to come forward and make the champion work.

After the Klitschko's dispatched the two biggest threats in Haye and Adamek earlier this year, there are few genuine contenders left for them. The most that we can hope for is fighters who are willing to give it a go against the giant Ukranians. Arreola can be that man.