WASHINGTON, D.C., (August, 20, 2013)- Undefeated and rising welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (16-0, 9KOs), the StiffJab.com 2012 Prospect of the Year, will be back in action this Friday, Aug. 23, when he faces veteran Guillermo Valdes (12-4, 3KOs) of Miami, Fla. at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Dover, Delaware is quickly becoming a home-away-from-home for the SE Washington, D.C., boxer who has fought in “The First State” twice this year already and who plans to continue his rise to the World rankings supported by fans from Delaware and the surrounding region.
“Every fight the opponent seems to get better and better,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “This guy has the best record of any guy I have faced and I will be prepared. I have trained to go the distance, but if the knockout comes, that would be great too.”
In his last fight, on the June 29 HBO Boxing After Dark undercard, Hernandez-Harrison dominated cagey veteran Ben Ankrah, shutting him out 60-54 on two of the judge’s scorecards and 59-55 on the third, while continuing his development against this rugged and experienced fighter.
“In his last couple fights Dusty showed he could win with his jab,” Buddy Harrison, the fighter’s father and trainer, said. “The jab is the key to everything and I think that Dusty is starting to come into his own; we are putting the pieces together to make him a complete fighter.”
“Jeff (Fried of ALL-IN Entertainment, Hernandez-Harrison’s promoter) said it was going to be a busy year, a learning year for me and a foundation year about the pro ranks,” Hernandez-Harrison added. “Every fight I see something else, whether it’s the opponent’s style, experience, different venues or the fan reactions; just what I need to continue with our plan of someday being mentioned along side some of the great fighters of today that I really respect.”
2013, has, in fact, been very busy for Hernandez-Harrison who has already fought five times this year. There are plans to have the 19-year-old Hernandez-Harrison return to Washington, D.C., later in the fall.
In his last fight in Washington, D.C., in May, Hernandez-Harrison’s first headline event under the ALL-IN Entertainment banner, nearly 3,000 enthusiastic fans watched him knock out Eddie Soto in the fifth round, with the fans clearly demonstrating their desire to see more Hernandez-Harrison fights in his hometown.
“While Dusty will continue to fight nationally, he always will return to his community as he understands and appreciates the support that starts at home. We look forward to coming back home to Washington, D.C., in the fall as the turnout for Dusty’s last fight was extraordinary. He rose to the occasion in the ring as this young man continues as Washington’s next superstar, both in and out of the ring,” Fried added.
