On paper, last noche's ESPN offering from far out Ontario,
California looked like an interesting affair - in one corner career
jr. welter Demetrius Hopkins moving up to full welter after taking
entire year 2009 off following decision loss to established jr.
welter Kendall Holt.
In the other corner we have Mike Arnaoutis, also career jr. welter
arriving on decision losses in last two fights and three debits in
last four outings.
Hopkins arrives on a March 2010 decision win over club fighter Jesse
Feliciano who had arrived for paycheck after KO losses to Kermit
Cintron, Andre Tsurkan, Carlos Quintana.
Then the opening bell with Arnaoutis having slight edge in a slow
paced feeling out stanza - from that point on it would be all
Hopkins who enjoyed the size advantage.
Simply put, Arnaoutis lacked the needed punching power that he once
showed at 140 before the slide began - when on the inside he could
not get off anything resembling a combination or flurry - Hopkins
clearly owned the outside with a effective jab to work off.
The scoring went lopsided unanimous decision for Hopkins to the tune
of 100-90- 99-91-99-91 - my unofficial agreed Hopkins 98-92 in
points and 8-2 under round by round method.
Rest of the story: Demetrius Hopkins (29-1-1, 11 KO) ~ age 29 - good
size at 5’11 along with decent technique - not big enough puncher to
be a threat among the elite at welterweight.
Mike Arnaoutis ( 22-6-2, 10 KO) ~ age 30 -
on wrong side of slope - not a chance at full welterweight.
