It is not often, especially lately, when two prospects on the cusp of becoming contenders face one another. It doesn’t seem to happen all too often lately. When some of these fights do happen, they wind up on premium networks, such as HBO or Showtime.

Tonight will be different as Dusty Hernandez-Harrison and Thomas Lamanna get reacquainted, with a possible world ranking hanging in the balance.

The two welterweights will square off in a 10-round bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

CBS Sports Network will broadcast the bout, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Hernandez-Harrison and Lamanna are very familiar with one another. Aside from living on the East Coast, both have sparred numerous times against one another.

The bout was scheduled to take place at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City but was postponed due to the property closing its doors.

Longtime Philadelphia promoter J Russell Peltz jumped on the opportunity to host the fight.

“This is the kind of fight boxing needs at this juncture,” said Peltz. “We have two young prospects at the same level meeting in a logical location: New Jersey and Washington DC in Philadelphia. Boxing needs more fights like this in this kind of setting. This is the best fight for each of these fighters at this point in their careers.”

Hernandez-Harrison (29-0-1, 16 knockouts) is coming off a draw against Mike Dallas Jr. on May 13 in his hometown of Washington DC. The 22-year-old is popular among fans in the nation’s capital and will likely have a large following that will travel up Interstate 95 to Philadelphia to watch him fight.

“This is a big opportunity for both of us,” said Hernandez-Harrison, who is two years Lamanna’s junior. “The winner will get a Top 15 world ranking by the IBF and that’s what this is about. I have known Thomas for a long time but that all goes out the window when we step in the ring.”

Harrison, who is promoted by Roc Nation Sports, sparred RING middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez earlier this year in San Diego, California.

Lamanna (21-1, 9 KOs), who resides in Millville, New Jersey, has won his last five bouts since suffering his only loss at the hands of Antoine Douglas in March of last year.

“I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a long time,” said Lamanna. “Our careers have run parallel. Dusty will bring plenty of fans to support him and the same goes for me. It’s an intriguing match for both of us and it’s in a natural setting, where it belongs.”

Slated to open the CBS Sports Network broadcast will be a six-round heavyweight fight between Ray Edwards and Daniel Pasciolla.

Edwards (11-0-1, 7 KOs) is best known as a defensive lineman during a seven-year career in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

“I was looked down upon because I was a football player,” said Edwards, who made his pro debut in May of 2011. “I have the right team around that will help develop my style. I have been in camp with (WBC heavyweight titleholder) Deontay Wilder and I held my own. I have confidence in myself.”

Pasciolla (8-1-1) will be the first fighter with a winning record who Edwards will face as a pro.

The 31-year-old scored a six-round decision win over former IBF cruiserweight titlist Imanu Mayfield on March 19.

Also fighting on the card:

– Junior welterweight Kenneth Sims Jr. (7-0, 2 KOs) will face veteran Gilbert Venegas (14-24-5, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout.

– Seventeen-year-old Devin Haney (9-0, 5 KOs) will take on Mike Fowler (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper, BoxingScene.com and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.

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