Jacobs vs Arias: Hosea Burton recalls when he fought Luis Arias
Thursday 9 November 2017 17:58, UK
Luis Arias fights this weekend against Daniel Jacobs as the unbeaten contender looks to finally get himself a world title shot, but how good is the young pretender?
Hosea Burton, a former British light-heavyweight champion, is one man to have previously shared the ring with Arias and the 29-year-old gives an insight into all he knows about the Milwaukee man, nicknamed 'Cuba'…
Live Fight Night International
So when and where did you fight Arias?
He was the number one in the USA so you've got to be pretty good to be in that position. It's no shock to see that he's gone on to this level, he had the background.
I took on Arias a fair few years ago back in our amateur days, although we were both seniors at the time.
It was at the famous York Hall in London in an England vs USA tournament fight. I won by a score of 10-6.
Did you know much about him back then?
What I do remember is that he was America's number one at the weight. When I was matched with him, my trainer Joe Gallagher told me that he was a very good kid and big promoters were after him.
I thought that it was just Joe saying that to get me switched on, but it was true. I did watch a bit of him on YouTube before and it was clear that he could fight and he had his fair share of power.
Was power his main strength then?
He was definitely strong and powerful with good movement. It took me a while to adjust to him, he was up 3-1 on the scores after four rounds.
I was tall and skinny at the time, huge for middleweight. Obviously, I'm now at light-heavy and he's stayed at 160lbs.
What was his best punch?
It has to be his left hook, it is very strong. It whistled past me a few times and when one hit me on the guard, I thought right that's the last time that connects.
He has brilliant timing with it as well. He does throw his shots well, he's a solid, strong fighter who always wants to be on the front foot.
So, what flaws did Arias have?
The one thing that stood out was that he wasn't the busiest fighter in the world. Don't get me wrong he moved quite a lot but he did not have amazing work rate to match.
Now he fights Jacobs, did you expect him to get this far?
I did, he was the number one in the USA so you've got to be pretty good to be in that position.
It's no shock to see that he's gone on to this level, he had the background, if you're a good amateur nine times out of ten you will become a good pro. His style is much more suited to the pro game as well.
So, can he beat Jacobs?
Jacobs is brilliant and I actually think that he is the best middleweight out there. He was very unlucky against 'GGG' and I believe that he beats Canelo.
You have to respect Arias for getting in there and fighting him and I would love to see him win. Then I could say 'yep, I beat him', but honestly, I think Jacobs outboxes him.
Any yourself Hosea, any news on when we will see you next out?
Everyone wants the rematch with Frank Buglioni, but he does not want me to exist and won't mention my name.
That's the fight I really want but it looks like he will fight Callum Johnson so I've just got to sit tight for now and wait for an opportunity.
Watch Daniel Jacobs vs Luis Arias, live from the Nassau Coliseum, New York, from 2.30am, Sunday, on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action. We will also be showing Conor Benn's US debut in full.
