ESPN Fight Preview

Bermane Stiverne vs. Chris Arreola

On Saturday night ESPN will be making big time boxing fans very happy.  The network which usually airs fights between young prospects or faded veterans on ESPN2 will be televising a bout between two heavyweight contenders in their prime on regular ESPN.  Not only that but the fight will be in prime time at 8 o'clock which might seduce some casual fans into watching it.  The fight will be a 12 round rematch between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola and the two boxers will be fighting for the WBC heavyweight title that Vitali Klitschko vacated when he left the sport to get into politics.  Stiverne won the first bout but Arreola had his moments and this fight promises to be even better.

Stiverne dropped and bloodied Arreola

Stiverne is a tough fighter who got a late start to the sport.  While he hasn't been fighting as long as most boxers you wouldn't be able to tell that by his style.  He isn't a fighter who charges at opponents behind his power and seems at ease fighting off his back foot.  Stiverne is an orthodox fighter who uses his jab as a measuring stick for his powerful right hand and he also goes to the body very well.  That body work paid off against Arreola in their first fight and could be something Stiverne goes to again.  Stiverne doesn't move particularly well in the ring but he always remains calm and is fine fighting with his back against the ropes.  Arreola was the first real big test for Stiverne and while he passed that test it won't be as easy the second time around.

When you look at the record of Stiverne the only name that stands out is Arreola.  Besides Arreola the resume of Stiverne isn't very impressive.  One thing that is impressive is the overall professional record of Stiverne which stands at 23-1-1 with an outstanding 20 knockouts.  Stiverne's only loss came back in 2007 to Demetrice King who had a record of 11-15. Stiverne had only been  fighting as a pro for two years at that point and he was stopped in the 4th round of that fight.  The only other blemish came in 2009 when he fought to a draw against Charles Davis a fighter who at the time had a record of 17-17-1.  One thing to take note of is the fact that Stiverne beat the out of shape Arreola and not the sleeker, more focused version of the heavyweight contender.

Arreola returned to the ring in dominant fashion

For years now Arreola has been viewed as a fighter with a tremendous amount of talent who didn't have the dedication to his craft necessary to compete at an elite level.  However the loss to Stiverne seemed to light a fire under Arreola's ass because in his next bout he knocked out Seth Mitchell in the 1st round and also looked to be in the best shape of his career.  Also, unlike his opponent Arreola has a very impressive resume.  He has fought top talents such as Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek and while he lost those bouts it can be said that he lost them before he even stepped into the ring due to his high weight and lack of hard in training camp.  Still Arreola has put together a good professional record of 36-3 with a very impressive 31 knockouts and this rematch with Stiverne could mark a new stage in his career.

Arreola doesn't fight like many of today's modern lumbering heavyweights.  Even when he was out of shape he still always had a very high punch output and also put combinations together pretty well.  Arreola is an orthodox fighter who has a very good stiff jab and a big overhand right.  He also throws a good short left hook but it is his right hand that is his best weapon.  Now that Arreola is in shape he should be able to keep up his high punch output throughout all 12 rounds.  Arreola did find some early success against Stiverne when he was applying pressure but things changed quickly when he was dropped in the 3rd round and broke his nose.  Arreola doesn't have great defense but his chin is good and he has only been stopped by the much bigger Klitschko so this rematch could easily go the distance again.

The first bout between these two fighters was brutal and full of action and the rematch should be even better.  The broken nose suffered by Arreola really changed that first fight and allowed Stiverne to fight more comfortably.  The rematch should more so resemble the first two rounds of their first fight as opposed to rounds three through twelve.  Arreola will be the more aggressive fighter and if he can avoid the short counter punches of Stiverne he could earn himself a heavyweight title.  There is a chance Stiverne comes in somewhat rusty since he hasn't fought since April of 2013 when he beat Arreola but if he comes in sharp this could be one of the best heavyweight battles in a long time.

PREDICTION: Bermane Stiverne looked very good in his first fight with Chris Arreola but that was the old Arreola.  This time around Arreola will be in much better shape and that will pay huge dividends as he slugs his way to a unanimous decision win in an absolutely brutal fight.