There is one scenario in the sport of Boxing that everyone
can identify with. A fighter working his
way up the ranks and becoming a prospect. As that fighter generates interest
and continues his rise the question that is often asked is when that fighter
will go from a prospect to a contender?
Highly touted Welterweight prospect Dusty Hernandez-Harrison has become
a fighter that should be viewed as a rising star in the 147lb. Welterweight
division.
Hernandez-Harrison, a native of Washington, D.C. had an
outstanding amateur career winning one hundred seventy-three of two hundred
amateur fights. Following his amateur career, Hernandez-Harrison turned pro in
2011 compiling twenty-four victories, and in the process quickly has emerged as
a prospect to watch.
In November of last year Hernandez-Harrison scored a first
round knockout over veteran contender Michael Clark. The twenty year-old
Hernandez-Harrison stepped back in the ring on January 9th in the Theater at
Madison Square Garden against Tommy Rainone in a bout for the WBC
Continental-America’s Welterweight championship.
What impressed me about Hernandez-Harrison’s performance in
this fight was the consistent pressure that he put forth against Rainone, who
attempted to be an elusive target as he used lateral movement to try to land
punches and maintain distance. Despite having some difficulty finding Rainone
early in the fight, Hernandez-Harrison’s consistent pressure, greater activity,
and combination punching was the story of the fight as he would go on to win a
lopsided ten round unanimous decision. Although Rainone was quite “Game” he
simply could not find a way to land punches consistently on Hernandez-Harrison
and could not nullify Hernandez-Harrison’s pressure.
After what could be best described as a workmanlike
performance by Hernandez-Harrison, an interesting question will be what is next
for him? There is no doubt that the Welterweight division is one of the most
competitive weight classes in the entire sport. Hernandez-Harrison, who entered
the fight with Rainone rated number seventeen in the WBC and number fourteen in
the WBO Welterweight ratings respectively would appear likely to be nearing a
fight against someone in either organization’s top ten.
What titles such as the WBC’s Continental-America’s
championship really mean in the overall picture is that whomever holds the
title is theoretically approaching status as a top contender as was the case with
Deontay Wilder, who will be fighting for the WBC world championship in the
Heavyweight division this weekend now as the WBC’s number one rated Heavyweight
contender.
In regard to the Welterweight division there are a few
possible future opponents for Hernandez-Harrison that I believe could
potentially lead to a title shot down the line. Names such as Sadam Ali, Jeff
Horn, Josesito Lopez, Yoshihiro Kamegai, and David Avanesyan could all present
an interesting fight for Hernandez-Harrison.
A conundrum that can present itself for those who handle the
career of a fighter and something that can be the subject of much debate among
both fans and experts alike is how quickly a fighter should be moved up the
ranks and pitted against top level opposition. In a division that is as talent
stacked as the Welterweight division is, this could be an interesting question
for a highly touted prospect such as Hernandez-Harrison.
In this observer’s opinion, although Hernandez-Harrison is
only twenty years old, he has won all twenty-five of his fights as a
professional and I believe he is a rising star in the Welterweight division.
Whether or not Hernandez-Harrison will fight either of the fighters I mentioned
as possible future opponents remains to be seen.
One thing however, is clear Dusty Hernandez-Harrison is
certainly a fighter to watch and it will be interesting to see where he goes as
he continues to climb the ranks of the Welterweight division.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison
All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
No comments:
Post a Comment