Dusty Hernandez Harrison set to clash with Mike Dallas Jr. tonight
13
May
Washington DC has a rich history of boxing.
Mark ‘Too Sharp’ Johnson dominated the lower weight classes for several years during the 1990’s, earning world title belts in multiple weight divisions.
Lamont and Anthony Peterson have achieved modest success for themselves, although it will be interesting to see where their careers go over the next year or two.
Then there is Dusty Hernandez Harrison, who believes he can carry the torch of boxing in the nation’s capital. While some currently look at him as a promising prospect, Harrison believes he can be a force to be reckoned with now in the welterweight division.
Harrison will square off against Mike Dallas Jr. tonight at the DC Armory in Washington, DC. The 10-round bout will air live on BET, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Harrison (29-0, 16 knockouts), who will turn 22 next Saturday, has not had a problem staying busy since making his pro debut at the age of 17.
He has fought often in the DC area, where he currently resides, building an extensive and growing fan-base around the nation’s capital.
In his last bout on Jan. 29, Harrison scored a knockout win after the second round over Angel Hernandez.
Harrison has continued his ascent through the welterweight ranks and some in boxing circles wonder when the appropriate time would be to put the unbeaten youngster in a significant test.
Dallas (21-3-1, 10 KOs) could be that fighter, although he has been somewhat active as of late after being out of action for almost three years.
Dallas has won his last two bouts, both by stoppage, against less-than-modest opposition. He has faced quality opposition throughout his career, including Josesito Lopez, Mauricio Herrera and Lucas Matthysse, whom knocked Dallas out in the first round.
Harrison welcomes the challenge the Bakersfield, California resident will bring.
“(Dallas) has my respect for coming into my hometown and fighting (me),” said Harrison at Thursday”s press conference. “I’m really ready for this fight.”
While he may be just 21 years old, Harrison has sparred against some of the top contenders and world titleholders in the sport.
It was no different in preparation for the Dallas fight, as Harrison traveled to the West Coast to serve as a sparring partner for RING middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
“I may have gotten in the best sparring that any fighter has ever gotten (for a fight). I went from (sparring with) Canelo and came home to spar with Demetrius Hopkins, Austin Trout and Lamont Peterson. I don’t know if there’s better sparring than that.”
Harrison may have a bright future. FILA and Geico think so, as they have signed him to longtime endorsement contracts.
A win over Dallas could legitimize his place in today’s boxing landscape.
“I know we will put on a good show.”
Opening the BET broadcast will be a eight-round bout between junior featherweights Luis Orlando Del Valle and Thomas Snow.
Abner Cotto squares off against Samuel Amaoko in an six-round junior welterweight bout.
Cruiserweight Sam Crossed, who has a large following on social media, faces Damion Reed in a six-round bout. Word is Crossed sold about $10,000 worth of tickets to tonight‘s card.
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.
