March 13, 2015, Queens, NY We got an unexpected treat when the Shawn Porter-Erick Bone fight ended in the 5th round. Chris Arreola and Curtis Harper waged a war that PureSportsNY boxing writer, Gregory Jacobs, dubbed, “Rockum, Sockum Heavyweights.”
Both fighters weighed in over 260 lbs., and the leather was flying from the opening round. Arreola knocked down Harper, and it seemed that Premier Boxing Champions would need another fight to fill the time before the main event featuring Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez.
But, Harper didn’t get the memo and fought valiantly in the second round hurting Arreola many times. At several points in the fight, it seemed as if either fighter was on the verge of being KOed. The eighth and final round was dominated by Arreola even though Harper had his moments. The judges scored it unanimously for Arreola (76-75), (78-73), and (77-74).
Arreola improved his record to 36-4.
Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com