Dusty Hernandez-Harrison Victorious In National TV Debut On ESPN2 FNF – Breaking Boxing News
In his first live nationally televised matchup on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights, highly touted welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison, 19, from Washington, D.C., won a dominant eight-round decision over Tim Witherspoon Jr. All three judges saw the fight 78×74. With the impressive win Hernandez-Harrison improves his record to 20-0, with 11 knockouts.
“Witherspoon in an awkward fighter with a good defense,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “It was a solid fight and hopefully we both gave the fans in New Jersey and watching at home a great performance.”
The fans certainly enjoyed the show as “Dusty Harrison” was trending on Twitter following the fight, a testament to the dynamic teenager’s huge fan base and drawing power. Famed HBO ringside judge Harold Lederman lauded praise on the young fighter on the social site telling him, ”Congratulations Dusty. Once again you looked terrific, hard fought win. Loved it.”
Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg also tweeted about Dusty and his marquee potential saying, “He is the truth.”
“It was a good win for Dusty tonight,” said Buddy Harrison, the fighter’s father and trainer. “He (Witherspoon) tried to hold Dusty and he was pushing his head down. I think they (the Witherspoons) thought they could intimidate him, but that wasn’t happening.”
“After it was all said and done we all shook hands,” Harrison added.
“This was an excellent learning experience for Dusty against a fighter that came in prepared and determined, as we expect from all opponents moving forward,” said his promoter Jeff Fried, President of All-In Entertainment. “Dusty continues to show poise, heart and grit as his platform expands. He conducts himself both in and out of the ring with a maturity beyond his years,” Fried added.
“I might have went looking for the knockout too much instead of just letting it come to me,” added Hernandez-Harrison. “Tim took a good punch, especially to the body. When I study the film I will know what areas need improvement, and I will be back in the gym Monday working on my mistakes.”
Another active scheduled is planned for Hernandez-Harrison in 2014 as he is expected back in the ring in March. Responding to thousands of text messages and social media inquires to Team Dusty as to when he will be returning to Washington, D.C., Fried commented that Hernandez-Harrison is expected to headline two events in his hometown during this year.