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After nearly a year on the shelf, California heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (35-4, 31 KO’s) returns to the ring this Friday, facing Jacksonville’s Curtis Harper (12-3, 8 KO’s) in a scheduled 10 round bout.
Following a sixth round stoppage loss to Bermane Stiverne in a WBC title contest last May, Arreola underwent left elbow surgery to repair an already existing injury. With his recovery taking longer than expected, he pulled out of a December 11th ESPN bout for further rest. Now “itching” to get back in the ring, he grabs an undercard spot on this week’s Premier Boxing Champions card to be broadcast on Spike TV.
Curtis Harper appears to fit the bill for Arreola’s comeback; a decent record on paper but hasn’t beaten anyone of significance, and he’s been stopped in two of his three losses. He’s also never been past six rounds.
Taking to the pro ranks in 2003, the “Nightmare” earned his moniker and rose quickly in the division, stopping 24 of his first 27 opponents and winning the WBC Continental Americas and NABF heavyweight titles before being dealt his first loss by WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in 2009. He’d go on to win eight of his next 11 bouts, dropping decisions to Tomasz Adamek and Bermane Stiverne with a win over Friday Ahunanya being changed to a no contest after the fact. His last contest was his second loss to Stiverne and his second loss in a world title opportunity.
Arreola’s bout isn’t slated for the televised broadcast, but an early ending to one of the main features may see it get some air time.
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