IN MEMORIAM
Harrison is fighting to honour his late father,
ALMOST a year to the day since a family tragedy befell Tony Harrison, the former WBC super-welterweight champion returns to the ring this Saturday (April 17) at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles (TGB Promotions).
On April 19 last year, Harrison’s father and trainer, Ali Salaam, passed away at the age of 59 from complications related to coronavirus. Competing in memory of his beloved “Pops”, the Detroit native will be determined to put in a fitting performance against Floridian southpaw Bryant Perrella, live on FOX.
A third-generation pro, Harrison took the WBC title from the previously unbeaten Jermell Charlo on a debatable unanimous decision in December 2018, before dropping the belt in a rematch 12 months later. The 30-year-old was well in the fight until an unanswered onslaught from Charlo in the 11th round led the referee to call a halt to proceedings.
Perrella, 32, who is moving up from welterweight, is coming off a dramatic and controversial stoppage reverse to the hard-hitting Abel Ramos 14 months ago. Comfortably ahead on the scorecards going into the 10th and final frame, the Fort Myers fighter was stopped by Ramos with just one second of the contest remaining.
While Harrison (28 wins, 21 early) and Perrella (17 wins, 14 early) can certainly punch, they are also susceptible to shots themselves. Both boxers have been beaten on three occasions, with all of Harrison’s defeats coming inside schedule and two of Perrella’s losses being via stoppage.
Although they each stand at 6ft 1in, Harrison is the rangier of the two competitors. The Michigan man supplements a rapid jab with fast feet and hurtful body work. The Roy Jones Jnrtrained Perrella pumps out sharp jabs off the back foot, but his opponent’s accurate attacks are likely to prove too much for him to handle. The pick is for Harrison to triumph inside the 12-round distance.
THE VERDICT Harrison can do his father proud.