Posts tagged Dusty Harrison
Dusty Harrison Looks Like A Headliner Against Eddie Soto
Photos by Anna John for StiffJab.com
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Like all entertainers, boxers are unpredictable by nature.
Men that fight for a living are often more temperamental than the brattiest teen idol in Hollywood. Almost every card includes at least one fight scratched because an opponent has succumbed to that peculiar sickness that takes hold between the weigh-in and the opening bell. Promoters can only book their fights, make their contingency plans, and pray.
If boxing is, in the end, simply show business, then another maxim holds true: the fans come to see the main event, not the supporting players. That might be a hard truth to swallow for some undercard fighters, especially since they are putting themselves at the same risk as their better-compensated peers. But it’s the truth.
There were some complications on Saturday night during the first professional boxing show promoted by All-In Entertainment at UDC in Northwest Washington. Only five of the nine scheduled fights were completed, and writers were left typing their reports in blackness after a power outage cut the walk-out bout short. None of that mattered. To the nearly 3,000 fans that packed the auditorium, it was a night at the fights, a moment to be savored regardless of the complications.
It is still far too early to say how good 18-year-old D.C. welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will be. Even with 15 professional fights under his belt, Dusty is only scratching the surface of life as a professional fighter. But Hernandez-Harrison offered a tantalizing glimpse of his potential on Saturday night, displaying poise beyond his years during his 5th-round knockout of Eddie Soto.
Preview: Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs Eddie Soto This Saturday At UDC
Photos by Gautham Nagesh for StiffJab.com
by Gautham Nagesh
If you read this blog at all, you know we’re extremely upbeat about the both the present and future of DMV boxing. The current kingpins of D.C. will be on display in Atlantic City this weekend, but the next generation of stars will be honing their craft this Saturday at a more local (and appropriate) venue: the University of the District of Columbia Sports Complex.
Stiff Jab 2012 Prospect of the Year Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will continue his journey at welterweight with a step up against Eddie Soto of Pawtucket, R.I. Soto started his career with 12 straight wins before losing his last six, four by stoppage. As an opponent, Soto fits with Team Dusty’s plan to keep the risk low while exposing Dusty to various styles and skill levels. Harrison is also fighting at home for the first time this year after two bouts in Delaware and one in Mississippi.
“I’m happy to be home. Everybody missed me, they keep asking me when I’m coming home, so I’m glad to finally be back,” Dusty said at Monday’s media workout. “It should be the biggest fight yet that I’ve had.”
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison Returns To D.C. May 18th
Photo by Juan Marshall of ProAmFightTalk
by Gautham Nagesh
Big news today from Stiff Jab’s 2012 Prospect of the Year: Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will headline a May 18th card at UDC Sports Complex.
The card will be promoted by All-In Entertainment, which was formed by Dusty’s advisor and local sports attorney Jeff Fried along with poker star Phil Ivey and NBA star Monta Ellis of the Milwaukee Bucks. The main event and portions of the card will be aired by Epix, making it the channel’s first boxing production based in the U.S. Update: The event will be sponsored by Epix and Jordan Brand, but not broadcast on Epix as we were originally informed.
“Dusty Hernandez-Harrison truly exemplifies the heart, spirit and future of boxing here in Washington, and throughout the industry,” Fried said. “While we are still in the process of finalizing the card, rest assured that his opponent will pose a true test as Dusty continues to develop and learn in many ways what it takes to be a world champion, both in and out of the ring.”
A host of other promising young prospects are expected to fight on the card, including Stiff Jab 2011 Amateur Boxer of the Year Mike Reed, 2012 National Golden Gloves champion Gervonta Davis, Frederick, Md.-based Iraqi middleweight Devar Ferhadi, and Lime Lite Boxing light heavyweight prospect Greg Newby. The only bout that has been finalized is a heavyweight special attraction between Natu Visinia (8-0, 7 KOs) and Phil Brown (6-1, 3 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, Md.
Photos by Jessica Chen for StiffJab.com
Stiff Jab 2012 Prospect Of The Year: Dusty Hernandez-Harrison
Photos by Gautham Nagesh, Trey Pollard, and Jessica Chen for Stiff Jab
by Gautham Nagesh
We knew we wouldn’t have to go far to find the 2012 Prospect of the Year, not with so many promising young boxers turning professional in the DMV over the past 12 months. But as deserving as fighters like Day Day Grayton, Antoine Douglas, and Kevin Rivers Jr. are, there was only one choice for the prospect who took the biggest strides over the past year: welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison.
Dusty fought eight times in 2012, all but one as a headliner for Keystone Boxing at Washington Convention Center. He delivered two unanimous decisions and six early endings, while making the leap from four to eight-round fights. Most importantly, he recovered from his first adversity, a knockdown in the final round of his six-rounder with Marqus Jackson, to register stoppages in his next three fights. With most other D.C. fighters plying their trade in distant casinos, Hernandez-Harrison has quickly become the most reliable ticket in a historic fight town.
“My fans are the reason why I have so many fights. Because I can sell tickets, I get on cards,” Harrison-Hernandez said. “I want to keep it local as much as I can. Of course I’m going to have to travel eventually, but I want to fight local. I like it here.”
“It’s not really like they’re fans, they’re more like my friends and family.”
At just 18 years old, Hernandez-Harrison is now 11-0 with 7 KOs, and has started drawing attention from the sport’s kingmakers. His youth, talent, and already sizable fanbase give him the tools needed to become the sport’s next big Puerto Rican star. But the trait that most impresses about Dusty is his poise, which is uncommon for anyone of his tender age. Despite the growing media attention and increasing pressure, Dusty still comes across as a nice, normal teenager, albeit one with a nasty right hand.
Dusty Harrison, Alantez Fox & Kevin Rivers Dominate
Photos by Trey Pollard for StiffJab.com
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Most of D.C.’s promising young boxers continued their professional journeys unabated on Saturday night at the Convention Center, but at least one found out just how hard it is to earn a living by fighting.
Unbeaten prospects Dusty Harrison (above left), Alantez Fox, Kevin Rivers Jr. and Jarrett Hurd all scored impressive 1st-round stoppages on the Keystone Boxing card, helping the audience reach home in time to watch Juan Manuel Marquez smash Manny Pacquiao on PPV. But D.C. featherweight Shadeed Floyd (below right) became the latest local fighter to sustain his first loss against the extremely game David Huffman (below left) of Cincinnati, who is fast becoming our favorite spoiler in the sport. Also winning on the card were Dillon Hayman and Phil Jackson-Benson, while talented super middleweight Jerry Odom saw his fight turn into a no contest after a cut from a headbutt forced his opponent to quit in the first round.
Dusty Harrison Caps Parade Of KOs In D.C.
Photos by Jessica Chen for StiffJab.com
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, D.C.—There’s no disputing the excitement of title fights, or close bouts between evenly-matched contenders. Such events are the pinnacle of boxing, and undoubtedly the goal for any person involved in the fight game. But there is something special about watching young fighters grow up, find their feet, and fulfill their potential.
A groundswell is coming in the DMV boxing scene, and Dusty Harrison is at the center. Harrison doesn’t possess the same amateur pedigree as some of his peers, and it’s far too early to tell how good the teenager can be. But after his tenth pro victory on Saturday at Washington Convention Center two things are clear: Dusty Harrison can fight, and D.C. loves watching him do it.
The local welterweight prospect stopped the overmatched Nalo Leal in the third round of the main event, capping a night of stylish stoppages by local prospects on the Keystone Boxing card. A number of local pros notched their second wins including Jarrett Hurd, Kevin Rivers Jr., Joshua “Moe” Parker and Dillon Hayman. In addition, Iraqi prospect Devar Ferhadi made a jaw-dropping debut at light heavyweight, drawing a scream of pain and capitulation from Anthony Madden after a razing him with a devastating left hook to the body.
Quick Work For Dusty Harrison, DMV Boxing Prospects
Photos by Gautham Nagesh for StiffJab.com
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Keystone Boxing employed four ring card girls for Saturday night’s boxing card at Washington Convention Center, but they probably could have spared the expense.
The young ladies barely left their seats for the first half of the show, as a parade of young boxers from the District and Maryland scored early stoppages against questionable opposition. Things stiffened up a bit for the special attraction featuring featherweight Kevin Rivers Jr., who handled his first professional test with impressive poise, before climaxing with a dominating performance from welterweight Dusty Harrison (above) in the main event. Harrison knocked Youngstown’s Shane Gierke down three times en route to a second-round stoppage.
The late-arriving crowd eventually got their money’s worth, but not before a few grumbles from the cheap seats about the matchmaking. Still, several promising local prospects brought sizable cheering sections, an early indication of box office potential. Fighters scoring wins on this evening included staff favorites Danny “Smooth” Kelly and Day Day Grayton as well as James McCallister, Harold “Sweet Lee” Parker, and Immanuwel Aleem.
Weekend Preview: Keystone Boxing Returns In DC
by Gautham Nagesh
As you can see from the fight poster above, pro boxing returns to Washington Convention Center this Saturday night courtesy of Promoter Gene Molovinsky of Keystone Boxing. The show will once again be headlined by local welterweight prospect Dusty “The Beltway Boricua” Harrison and feature a host of talented young DMV boxers including Stiff Jab favorites David “Day Day” Grayton, Danny Kelly, and Kevin Rivers Jr., who will be making his professional debut after a decorated amateur career.
Keystone has drawn well for its recent series featuring Dusty, who suffered a scare in his last fight against Marques Jackson, getting knocked down in the sixth and final round by a right hand. Fortunately, Dusty got up and smartly held on until recovering to win the decision, rendering the knockdown a blip for the moment. I’m predicting an early night for Dusty and basically everyone else on the card, save possibly the light heavyweight co-feature between “King” James McAlister and James Denton, scheduled for six rounds. The poor records of all the other opponents indicate they were brought in for one reason: to lose, and do so in sensational fashion.
Opening Bell: Jerry Odom & Kevin Rivers Jr. Turn Pro
by Gautham Nagesh
Greetings, fight fans. Posting has been sparse lately while I took a much-needed vacation, but the the stalwart Dr. Octagon has been keeping things running practically on his own in recent weeks. Things will hopefully be ramping up again starting now, as we have a number of exciting fights coming up in the next few months.
The young man you see above is Washington, D.C. amateur boxer Jerry Odom, who won the National Golden Gloves title this year at 178 lbs. and was named the tournament’s best boxer. Odom will turn professional on October 27th on the undercard of Jimmy Lange vs. Tony Jeter at George Mason University’s Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. Among a crowded field of DMV amateur boxing stars, Odom’s professional prospects are second to none. As a national amateur champion at a higher weight class, he could easily become the area’s top professional draw if he fulfills his massive promise.
Dusty Harrison & Ty Barnett Prop Up DC Boxing
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, D.C.—It’s been a rough month for boxing in the nation’s capital.
Most of the momentum gained in recent months appears to have been squandered, after a series of unfortunate events connected to December’s Khan-Peterson fight. That night’s big winner Lamont Peterson is facing intense scrutiny and possible suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, which forced the cancellation of the rematch scheduled for Saturday.
In addition, Amir Khan’s promoter Golden Boy has pulled out of a scheduled June 30th card at the Verizon Center, reportedly still smarting after some hometown officiating helped Peterson upset the British 140-lb titlist. Finally, NoVa junior middleweight and crowd favorite Jimmy Lange injured his leg in training, forcing the postponement of the June 23rd card at the Patriot Center headlined by Lange vs Tony Jeter.
That means the only action in town this summer will be at the Convention Center, where local welterweight prospect Dusty Harrison (above) and lightweight Ty Barnett are quickly becoming staples of the DMV fight scene. The pair won lop-sided bouts as headliners on May 12th in front of a packed house; fans will have four more chances to catch the duo in action this year at the same venue under the banner of Keystone Boxing.
Fresh Meat: Dusty Harrison
by Gautham Nagesh
As a senior in high school, Dusty Harrison could have been content to dominate against athletes his age or younger. Instead, the “Beltway Boricua” chose to become the youngest professional boxer in the U.S. last June at the age of 16.
Now just two months shy of his 18th birthday, Harrison has run his record to 5-0 with two KOs. He recently fought on the undercard of the James Toney-Bobby Gunn farce in Southhaven, Miss. on April 7th, where he shut out veteran Anthony Bowman in a four-rounder. I caught up with Dusty on Friday at the Golden Gloves, where he took a moment to describe what it’s like to beat up men twice his age.
Dusty Harrison vs Terrell Davis
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, DC—Local welterweight prospect Dusty Harrison scored a quick stoppage in his first fight in front of his hometown crowd. The 17-year-old knocked the overmatched Terrell Davis down three times before the ref stopped the fight at 2:46 of the opening round, giving Harrison the win but displeasing his fans.
Winless in four attempts coming into the bout, Davis was chosen to be an opponent but failed at even that duty. Harrison was doubtless looking for more of an opportunity to impress and he landed several flush right hands, but Davis never looked interested in mixing it up. Harrison’s right hand was too fast and accurate, leaving Davis with no choice but try and hold on for dear life.
Dusty’s camp currently bills him as the youngest professional fighter in the country but he looked preternaturally poised despite the bright lights and luminaries at ringside. If he continues his work at Old School Gym there’s no reason he couldn’t eventually find himself on the televised portion of a card like this.
Amir Khan, Lamont Peterson & HBO Bring Boxing Back to DC
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Big-time boxing returned to our nation’s capital on Thursday just a stone’s throw from where the First Family lay their heads. The buzz was palpable at the W Hotel here for an afternoon press conference to announce an HBO Championship Boxing card on December 10th at Washington Convention Center featuring top-ranked British junior welterweight Amir Khan defending his belts against D.C. native Lamont Peterson. A stacked undercard will include promising Maryland heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell in the televised co-feature along with Peterson’s brother Anthony and local welterweight prodigy Dusty Harrison.
