Highlights
- Chris Arreola came out on fire and scored a knockdown early in the first, but Curtis Harper got back into the fight.
- Arreola looked re-energized in the seventh round, connecting on multiple stiff rights to Harper’s head, but couldn’t put him down.
- Arreola connected on a left, right, left, right early in the eighth round and that level of activity may have sealed the deal for Arreola.
- Arreola took the unanimous decision over Harper.
Chris Areola used a huge right hand to floor Curtis Harper in the first round, withstood a furious rally by his opponent, and pushed the pace over the last two rounds for a UD.
Two-time heavyweight title challenger Chris Areola used a huge right hand to floor Curtis Harper in the first round, withstood a furious rally by his opponent, and pushed the paced over the last two rounds for a unanimous decision at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in the Spike TV debut of Premier Boxing Champions.
Arreola won by scores of 76-75, 77-74 and 78-84 on the cards of judges Eddie Hernandez, Pat Russell and Fernando Villareal.
The victory was the second straight for Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs), who ended a 10-month ring absence as well as a five-fight winning streak for Harper (12-3, 8 KOs).
Arreola vs Harper was a slugfest which captivated the crowd