EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DUSTY HARRISON
By Michael Walters

Dusty Hernandez-Harrison, of Washington D.C., 18, was a decorated amateur fighter who, rather than pursue Olympic glory, decided to turn pro last year at the age of 17. Since then he has been courted by Golden Boy, Top Rank, and Al Haymon. Dusty and his father/trainer Buddy Harrison have decided to stay closer to home and are working with Gene Molovinsky’s Keystone Promotions.

 

So far it looks like Dusty made the right choice as he will be headlining the show for the fourth straight time when he steps into  action this Saturday at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center. He will be fighting in a six-round affair that he said in a recent radio interview he doesn’t expect to last three rounds.

When do you plan to step up the level of competition?

 

I am not stepping it so much in this fight. In September we plan on fighting somebody with a lot better record.

 

I hear the plan is to have you fight almost monthly in D.C. for the next year. Will Keystone Boxing be bringing in better opponents?

 

Yes, especially with me being the main event. I think the fans deserve it.

 

When can we expect to see you start fighting 8-10-round fights?

 

I am ready now. The last few fights we’ve been talking about making it eight rounds, it’s more on the opponent.

 

Who did you look up to in boxing growing up?

 

Being Puerto Rican, I always watched Trinidad. He always fought with so much pride and everything. I mostly like the slick fighters like Mayweather, I have always liked his style of fighting, not getting hit, counter punching and all that.

 

How would you describe your style of fighting?

 

To be honest I am more of a boxer even though it doesn’t really show in my fights. Because I think I have the power advantage over them, I just go forward more. If you watch me in the gym, though, I am much more of a boxer and think as I start fighting better opponents you’ll see it. 

 

Did you watch the Olympics and if so what did you think?

 

No, after I heard about the all the stuff that was going on, I didn’t even want to watch it. I guess there was a guy who got knocked down seven times in a round and they didn’t even count one.

 

Does that make you think turning pro was the right decision for you?

 

Yes, definitely. It would have been nice to have a medal but I think that this was definitely the better choice.

 

How long until you fight for a regional belt like a NABA, NABO, etc?

 

We’ve talked about it with a lot of people, and we want to do it soon. I think we are planning to do it in December. I want to do it as soon as possible.

 

 


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