By James Slater: Heavyweight contender Chris Arreola is sticking to his active schedule; with his next bout to be July 9th, on the under-card of Paul Williams’ return against Erislandy Lara. Looking in his best physical shape in months in his two recent wins (over Nagy Aguilera and Kendrick Releford), the 30-year-old has a new zest and renewed enthusiasm for training.
According to Ringtv.com, sources suggest the most likely foe for Arreola will be proven high class journeyman Friday Ahunanya. The 39-year-old Nigerian who is based in Las Vegas is probably best known to fight fans for his fight with David Tua. The man known as “Friday The 13th” lost that one on points, but he has proven his punching power in other bouts – such as when he stopped the then unbeaten Shane Cameron in 2007.
As a “stay busy” opponent, Arreola certainly could have chosen an easier foe. Ahunanya lost his last outing, when he was out-pointed over six-rounds by Cisse Salif last month, but he is durable (stopped only once – by Lance Whitaker) and he can punch hard when the mood suits him. 24-7-3(13) overall, the 6.0,” approx 230-pounder doesn’t figure to get blown away by “The Nightmare.”
Arreola is working his way towards another big fight, one he hopes will be for a version of the world title. Now putting the hard work in in the gym and also sticking to a strict regime outside of the ring (no beer, less food), the fan-friendly Mexican-American is again being looked at as one of America’s best hopes when it comes to bringing a heavyweight world title back home.
Unfortunately, as reported by Ringtv, Arreola-Ahunanya will be an off-T.V fight, with HBO only showing the two main events taking place at Atlantic City. This is a shame because the heavyweight ten-rounder might well prove entertaining. Arreola, 32-2(28) is on a roll right now and he will be all business, while Ahunanya has to know this fight will almost certainly be his last big opportunity against a name fighter.
Arreola will make something of a statement if he becomes only the second man to have halted the Nigerian, even if Ahunanya has seen better days at age 39. While the whole career and life of the underdog will be turned around if Friday can cause the upset. We should see two determined, well-conditioned guys going at it next month.
My pick: I see Ahunanya hanging tough but losing quite widely on points.