Chris Arreola & Tony Thompson: American Heavyweight Boxing Double Header News
By Geno McGahee
ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will present a heavyweight double header, featuring arguably, the two best American heavyweights on the scene. Chris Arreola, 31-2, 27 KO’s, will face off against journeyman, Kendrick Releford, 22-14-2, 10 KO’s, in a 10 round bout, while Tony Thompson, 35-2, 23 KO’s, faces old foe, Maurice Harris, 24-14-2, 10 KO’s, in a 12 round IBF title eliminator.
Both Arreola and Thompson went up against the Klitschko brothers and lost. Arreola faced off against Vitali in 2009, and came into the fight at 251 pounds, far too heavy, and he paid for it. Beaten and battered for 10 rounds, he was stopped, but he didn’t learn from his mistake. His next fight he was 263, a victory over the overmatched Brian Minto, and then he came into the ring at 251 in a losing effort to Tomasz Adamek. He has been his own worst enemy.
A ray of hope appeared in his last fight, as he stopped Nagy Aguilera in 3 rounds. A 234 pound Arreola entered the ring, and now plans to stay busy and recapture the hype that once surrounded his career.
Tony Thompson took on Wladimir in 2008 and was a deer in the headlights, fighting scared, and losing via KO in the 11th round. He was overwhelmed by the event, but he is back with four straight knockout wins over decent opposition and is ready to take one more shot at a title. Maurice Harris was his opponent in the terrible “Fistful of Dollars” Pay Per View, and Harris actually went on to win it. This will be a rematch and despite the recent positive run for Harris, 4-0, he’s facing a very good heavyweight with decent power.
Expect victories for Arreola and Thompson and perhaps the two will be pitted against each other for the right to challenge a Klitschko again.