Nickname(s) Dusty Name Dusty Hernandez-Harrison Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) Role Boxer Draws 0 | Reach 74 in (188 cm) Losses 0 Total fights 28 Number of contests 0 | |
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Real name Arturo Harrison-Hernandez Rated at Welterweight (147 lb)World Rankings:WBC #26Regional Rankings:USBA #1NABF #10NABO #11 | ||
Nationality American Puerto Rican | ||
Tijuana Jack & Dusty Hernandez Harrison talk tattoos
All-In: Dusty Hernandez Harrison
Arturo "Dusty" Harrison Hernández (born May 21, 1994) is an undefeated Puerto Rican-American professional boxer in the Welterweight division. He is the reigning USBA Welterweight Champion.
Contents
- Tijuana Jack Dusty Hernandez Harrison talk tattoos
- All In Dusty Hernandez Harrison
- Amateur career
- Professional career
- Titles in boxing
- References
In October 2013, Dusty was praised by Mike Tyson in an open letter Tyson sent to USA Boxing in response to their accusation that his promotion was hindering the growth of USA Boxing's future Olympic team by signing young amateurs. Tyson used Dusty's career along with the career of Hall of Famer Wilfred Benítez as well as his own as examples of successful fighters that turned professional as teenagers. Tyson also mentioned Dusty on Twitter, where he has over five-million followers, tweeting to him, "Dusty you are a true inspiration for amateurs looking to turn pro."
Prior to his first fight in 2014, Dusty was featured in Washington, D.C. lifestyle magazine, The Washingtonian. In the story, A Ring of His Own, Dusty’s upbringing and career success are highlighted, as Dusty is described as "Washington’s best boxing prospect since Sugar Ray Leonard." Also in the article, current undefeated unified light heavyweight champion Andre Ward said, "Dusty has the 'it' factor." On December 30, 2014, Dusty became the first boxer to sign with music superstar Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports.
On December 2, 2015, Dusty signed a multi-year endorsement deal with sportswear company FILA, which previously sponsored International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Riddick Bowe. FILA will serve as the official training and fight apparel of Dusty as he continues to dominate throughout training camps and ring appearances. Dusty and his team will be decked out in FILA branded apparel and footwear exclusively. Dusty was supposed to have his first fight under the FILA brand on December 5, 2015 but after multiple opponents fell through including Canadian welterweight champion Steve Claggett (23–3–1, 16 KOs), the original opponent, his fight that was scheduled for HBO Latino was canceled at the last minute.
On January 27, 2016, Dusty signed a partnership deal with GEICO. Geico will be a presenting partner for select Hernández-Harrison fights on broadcast television. The insurance company's logo also will be placed on Hernández-Harrison's trunks and other fight apparel, as well as on all of his cornermen’s fight night attire. The deal includes an agreement for Geico and the boxer to collaborate on a philanthropic initiative in the DC area, as well as an event at Geico’s HQ.
Amateur career
Dusty has been boxing longer than he can remember. The young fighter fondly recalls watching old home movies of himself shadow boxing in a "onsie" when he was just 10 months old. Dusty participated in his first boxing exhibition at the tender age of 6 at the historic Ritz Nightclub in Northwest, Washington, D.C. By the age of 8, Dusty was competing in sanctioned amateur matches and quickly amassed many championships. He won the 2010 National Silver Gloves Championships, three straight National Junior Golden Gloves Championships from 2007–2009 in which he won the Outstanding Boxer Award in 2008, and the Ringside World Championships, among others. Dusty finished his illustrious amateur career with an impressive record of 167–30.
Professional career
At the age of 17, Dusty, with 197 amateur bouts and multiple National Championships, chose to forgo his amateur status and made history in his professional debut on June 11, 2011 when he became the youngest licensed professional fighter in the United States. In his first professional bout at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Dusty faced Alphonso Alexander, a man more than twice his age. Dusty appeared to be the veteran in the ring, winning by a 40–36 shutout on all three judges’ scorecards.
In his second pro bout on July 30, 2011, Dusty earned a unanimous decision victory over 6' 3" 16 fight veteran Trenton Titsworth.
On Dec. 10, 2011, Dusty made his highly anticipated Washington, D.C. debut, fighting on the Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson undercard on a HBO World Championship Boxing broadcast. In his first hometown professional bout, Dusty did not disappoint. He scored three knockdowns and a first-round TKO over Terrell Davis.
Dusty's successful first year in the professional ranks, going (3–0, 1 KO) earned him 2011 Rookie of the Year honors from the world-renowned blog, Boxing Along The Beltway.
Dusty fought eight more times in 2012, including headlining cards in front of sellout crowds at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. He was named 2012 Prospect of the Year by Stiff Jab. Dusty had a busy 2013, winning all eight of his fights and culminating in him being named a ESPN Super 20 Prospect as well as 2013 Prospect of the Year by Boxing Along The Beltway. He was also dubbed by International Boxing Organization President Ed Levine as a fighter that had the makings of a future World Champion.
On February 8, 2013, Dusty scored a third-round stoppage win over former National Golden Gloves Champion Kelly Wright in Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to the bout with Kelly, Dusty sparred current undefeated WBC welterweight champion Danny García
Just two weeks later in Tunica, Mississippi. Dusty faced the durable Aaron Anderson and won every round in route to a six-round unanimous decision.
On April 12, 2013, Dusty fought for the first of three times at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, Delaware. He won a unanimous decision against Puerto Rico's Jonathan Garcia, winning 60–54 on two of the judges' scorecards and 59–55 on the third. Dusty quickly became a fan favorite for the Dover Downs crowd because of his talent and exciting style in the ring and humbleness and humility outside the ring.
On May 18, 2013, before a raucous hometown crowd of 3,000 fans that included Wale, Pierre Garçon, and Ty Lawson at the University of the District of Columbia, Dusty faced his toughest opponent to date, Eddie Soto (12–6), in a scheduled eight-round bout. Dusty dominated from the onset, dropping Soto with a picture-perfect right hand in the second round. He brought the fight to halt in the fifth round with a right hand that ultimately led the referee to stop the fight after Soto fell three times from the punch. Dusty proceeded to earn the "2013 Knockout of the Year" for the Soto fight and the "2013 Fighter of the Year" from Go Fight Live (GFL.tv).
A little over a month later on June 29, he defeated former WBO Africa Champion Ben Ankrah by unanimous decision on the Gennady Golovkin vs. Matthew Macklin undercard.
Dusty returned to Dover Downs on August 23 to fight Miami's Guillermo Valdes (12–4). In the second round Dusty landed a beautifully timed double left-hook to the body and head that put his veteran opponent on the canvas. Dusty remained in control and the referee stopped the bout in the fourth round following a vicious barrage of punches along the ropes, bringing the crowd to its feet for their new "hometown" star.
Dusty won the WBC Youth Silver Welterweight World Championship on November 2, 2013 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, winning a ten-round unanimous decision against Josh "Pit Bull" Torres (12–2–1) on the Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens undercard. Dusty showcased his boxing skills and athleticism with winning scores of 100–90, and 98–92 twice. Calling it "the kind of fight that [he] has always wanted," Dusty added, "I have always dreamed of fighting at Madison Square Garden, and for it to be for the WBC Youth Silver World Championship makes it that much more special. I appreciate the opportunities being provided to me and will continue to work hard and do my part." His father Buddy Harrison recalled his son’s hard work and dedication following the WBC Youth Silver Welterweight World Championship fight: "I told Dusty nearly ten years ago in this very arena that if he worked hard and did the right things he could one day win a world title at Madison Square Garden. Tonight we made that dream a reality as we continue on our mission." Dusty has a "close knit professional team" that includes trainer Barry Hunter, cut-man Billy Briscoe and manager Mike Walters. A gracious competitor, Dusty appreciates his fans. Always making sure to recognize their continued support, at the Nov. 2 WBC Youth Silver World Championship Bout, Dusty noted, "It is really hard to put into words how much its means to me that my fans could share this special moment with me," as he greeted each one personally on the chartered buses of fans that made the trip from Washington, D.C. to support Dusty.
Just three weeks later on November 22, Dusty thrilled the Dover Downs crowd yet again as he scored three knockdowns in route to a first-round KO over Marlon Lewis. Lewis had not tasted defeat for three years prior to facing Dusty.
In his first live nationally televised bout on January 31, 2014, Dusty scored a decisive 78x74 victory on all three scorecards against Philly-tough Tim Witherspoon Jr. (10–3–1), the son of former two-time Heavyweight World Champion, Tim Witherspoon on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Calling it a "solid fight," following the match, Dusty Hernández-Harrison was "trending on Twitter," indicative of his loyal fan base. HBO Boxing ringside judge Harold Lederman also acknowledged Dusty on Twitter, saying, "Congratulations Dusty. Once again, you looked terrific. This was a terrific, hard fought win. Loved it." Hollywood superstar, Mark Wahlberg even chimed in, tweeting out to his three-million followers that Dusty is "the truth."
Five weeks later on March 7, 2014, Dusty was once again on ESPN Friday Night Fights, earning a hard fought unanimous decision victory over Michael Balasi (10–3, 7 KOs), a hard-hitting southpaw. Dusty came off the canvas in Round 2 showing his heart, determination and perseverance in flooring Balasi twice in route to the unanimous decision victory, and becoming an immediate fan favorite in Southern California.
On May 17, 2014 in his first trip to West Virginia, Dusty dominated the dangerous Roberto Valenzuela, owner of 56 KOs, in route to a fourth-round TKO.
On July 26, 2014, Dusty got his first taste of the big room at Madison Square Garden as he won a shutout unanimous decision over another hard-hitting southpaw in Wifredo Acuna on the Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Geale undercard.
On November 1, 2014, Dusty made a successful hometown return. After 18 months gaining exposure fighting around the country, including twice on national TV, Dusty knocked out former National Golden Gloves Champion, former world title challenger and Contender Season 2 contestant Michael Clark (44–11–1) in the first round in front of 2,900 exuberant fans at DAR Constitution Hall. "When I fight in other places, I don’t get to do this. I don’t get to come out and take pictures with everybody. It’s not as fun for the fans when they have to go to New York or have to go to Dover or all these other places. I really enjoy doing this," said Hernández-Harrison about fighting at home once again.
On January 9, 2015, Dusty became the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Champion, capturing the previously vacant title by defeating Tommy Rainone (22–5–1) by scores of 100–90 twice and 99–91 live on Fox Sports 1 in the main event of Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports inaugural boxing event. Among the star-studded crowd of 4,253 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden were Jay Z, Rihanna, CC Sabathia, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rosie Perez, Carmelo Anthony, Victor Cruz, Andre Ward, Big Sean, Fabolous, Michael K. Williams, Bryant Jennings, Angie Martinez, DJ Mustard, Sam Dew, Santigold, Melanie Fiona, and Wardell. This was Dusty's third time fighting at the Mecca of Boxing, his first time headlining. His two previous appearances came on the undercards of current IBF, WBA, and WBC unified middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin.
On April 17, 2015 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, Dusty joined world champion boxers Erislandy Lara and Ishe Smith in earning a shutout unanimous decision win over durable veteran Chris Gray, who owns a victory over two-time world title challenger Gabriel Rosado.
On August 15, 2015 in Miami, Florida, Dusty dominated battle-tested veteran Carlos Winston Velásquez from the opening bell. He landed a perfectly-timed counter right hand that dropped Velásquez in the third round. He forced Velásquez to retire on his stool after the fifth round due to an accumulation of brutal body shots, ending Velásquez's two-fight win streak.
A little over a month later on September 26 in Norfolk, Virginia against experienced veteran James Wayka, Dusty scored the fastest knockout of his career, as it only took him 78 seconds to dispatch his opposition.
In his 2016 debut on January 29 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Dusty defeated the hard-hitting Angel Hernández via technical knockout as Hernández could not answer the bell for the third round due to an eye injury caused by a punch. Dusty earned himself his third consecutive stoppage victory, the most since he strung together four consecutive knockouts from late 2012 to early 2013.
On May 13 at the D.C. Armory, his first bout in his hometown since 2014, Dusty fought to a split draw against his toughest opponent to date, Mike Dallas Jr. (21–3–1). Both fighters thought they deserved the victory. "I thought I finished it great. I finished it way too strong with that knockdown [not to get the decision]. I feel I pulled it out with that late knockdown," Hernandez-Harrison said.
"In my opinion, we won in his hometown convincingly," Dallas said.
Dusty spent five weeks leading up to the fight with Dallas in San Diego as a sparring partner for Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez, the current Ring magazine and lineal middleweight champion. He helped Álvarez get ready for his fight against Amir Khan as Dusty was brought in to mimic the blazing hand speed of Khan. He got more rounds with Álvarez than anyone else in camp, sparring some 50 rounds with the champ. The sparring seemed to help Álvarez as he won by an explosive one-punch knockout that rendered Khan unconscious in the sixth round.
In Dusty's most recent fight on September 15, 2016 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on CBS Sports Network, he won a unanimous decision over Thomas LaManna (21–1) by scores of 98–92 and 97–93 (x2) to win the vacant United States Boxing Association Welterweight Championship and earn himself a top 15 world ranking by the International Boxing Federation.
Now with a professional record of (30–0–1, 16 KOs), the undefeated 22-year-old from Southeast Washington, D.C. remains focused on his aspirations of having his name mentioned alongside the iconic World Champions who paved the way for Dusty’s younger generation.