Dover, Delaware (August 24, 2013)- Washington, D.C. rising welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison kept his unbeaten record intact with an emphatic knockout victory over game veteran Guillermo Valdes (12-5, 3KOs) in the fourth round of Friday night’s contest at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.
Hernandez-Harrison controlled the contest from the onset showing the ring generalship of a fighter well beyond his 19 years of age. In round two, a double left hook combination, first to the body then a vicious blow to the head, put Valdes down, but he courageously came off the canvas while Hernandez-Harrison patiently continued his boxing skills before sealing the win with the fourth-round knockout. The stoppage came at 45 seconds of the fourth round following a blinding combination along the ropes that had his veteran opponent reeling.
With the win Hernandez-Harrison improved his unblemished record to 17-0 with 10 knockouts. This was his sixth fight of an active 2013.
“I thought he looked good tonight,” said Buddy Harrison, the fighter’s father and trainer. “We wanted an opportunity to showcase his punching skill, power and poise and he displayed that all-around skillset this evening.”
Hernandez-Harrison’s performance was so impressive that he was awarded the Fighter of the Night Trophy, an honor bestowed upon the boxer who not only shows dominance, but the skills of a champion, and as part of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino’s Friday Night Fights Boxing Series.
Hernandez-Harrison’s victory was embraced by hundreds of fans from D.C. who made the 90-mile trip to the fight along with a large contingent of Dover fans who have come to see the young welterweight as one of their own, clearly demonstrated by the roar of the crowd, their enthusiasm throughout the bout, and the deafening cheers he received after the knockout. Following the bout the the gregarious young boxer spent 45 minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures with his adoring fans.
“I’m really happy with the performance I provided for my fans tonight, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “It’s amazing to be able to come to Dover and still feel like I am fighting back home in D.C.The fans are great and everyone at Dover Downs treated us in a first class manner,” added Dusty.
“The fan support is truly special,” said Jeff Fried of All-In Entertainment, the fighter’s promoter. “Dusty maintains the focus, work ethic and sacrifice that is necessary to succeed to the highest level in any sport, and certainly in boxing. Dusty is passionate about learning and continuing to develop; and we will close out 2013 the way he started, active and working hard towards his goals,” Fried added.
Plans call for the welterweight phenom to return to the ring in the Fall for a bout against a World-ranked fighter and potentially for a Youth World Championship. Hernandez-Harrison is scheduled to fight two more times in 2013 including his first 10-round bout and in front of his hometown Washington, D.C., fans.
