Tonight at 10pm EDT, ESPN2's Friday Night Fights is back with a main event between Demetrius Hopkins (29-1-1, 11 KO) and Mike Arnaoutis (22-5-2, 10 KO).
Also featured on the card will be 140-pound prospect Francisco Contreras (14-0, 13 KO) taking on veteran Noe Bolanos (20-5-1, 12 KO).
This isn't the best FNF card, but it's not the worst either. I've never been a fan of Hopkins', but he does seem re-focused on his career finally. He returned in March after another long layoff to beat Jesse Feliciano over 10 rounds, his first fight since losing to Kendall Holt in December 2008. Prior to the Holt bout, Hopkins had been off for a year, so he's only fought twice since November 2007.
Arnaoutis has lost three of four, though many believed he got a very raw deal against Tim Coleman in December. Arnaoutis has had an up-and-down go and is really nothing more than a gatekeeper now, but he's a likable sort who always gives his best. I get the feeling if Hopkins is up to it, he can rather easily outbox Arnaoutis, but I don't think it's any sure bet that Hopkins will do that.
Enjoy the fights tonight, and for all of our American readers, enjoy your 4th of July weekend. For the rest of you, enjoy your normal weekend. We'll be back in full swing on Monday.