Former WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison returns to the ring this Saturday night in Los Angeles for the first time since the loss of his title in the championship rematch against Jermell Charlo in December 2019. The Detroit native Harrison (28-3, 21 KOs) will take on the hard-hitting southpaw Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in downtown LA. The 31-year-old Perrella (17-3, 14 KOs) began boxing at age 15 and had a stellar amateur career before turning professional and fighting the likes of Yordenis Ugas, Breidis Prescott and in his last bout Abel Ramos, a fight in which Perrella led on all three scorecards heading into the final round, but was stopped in the last seconds of the final round. After the Ramos fight Perrella teamed up with boxing great Roy Jones Jr. and now plans on walking away victorious Saturday night. “That loss sent me on the journey that led me to training with Roy.” Stated Perrella in a recent press conference. “Everything happens for a reason, as long as you look for that reason and have faith in it. That reason has been shown to me in so many ways and it’s a huge blessing. I’ve made big changes in my game and they will reflect a more proficient fighter when I step in against Tony Harrison. I don’t care about status or resume heading into this fight. I’m coming to do what I do best, and that’s dominate. I can’t wait to get in there and perform.”
After losing his title, the former champion Harrison suffered an even bigger loss as he had to deal the tragedy and sudden death of his father and trainer Ali Salaam to the hands of COVID-19 in April of 2020. Salaam was a welterweight, fought in the 1980s, winning 11 of his 18 pro fights with five knockouts.
Harrison recently stated “Due to the pandemic, we’ve lost a lot of people over the last year, including my father Ali Salaam, and I’m dedicating this fight and the rest of my career to him,” Harrison went on to say “My dad told me if I ever pass, you have to perform. You have to get the job done. You have to show up for work and work hard. If I pass, life goes on. To this day, that’s what sticks with me, I will never forget when he told me that. My father was always there in my corner, and I’ll continue with him right by my side spiritually. But my brother L.J. is my head trainer now and we’re working hard to prepare for a tough fighter in Perrella. I’m coming off the longest layoff of my career, so I’m just excited to get back in action. The realest fighter in the game is coming back and I’m glad we’re going to be bringing this fight to everyone on free TV on FOX. This fight will be fireworks and I’ll be looking out for whenever it’s execution time. When I see the opportunity, I’ll knock his head off and put it on my mantle.”
Omar Juarez Faces Araujo in Co-Main
In the Co-main event of the night undefeated super lightweight sensation Omar “El Relampago” Juárez (10-0, 5 KOs) will take on Argentina’s Elías “El Macho” Araujo (21-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Veteran Jessie Román was originally scheduled to face Juárez, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. The undefeated lightweight prospect Juárez is not only an outstanding professional boxer by trade, but Juárez is rising on the national stage with his recent designation as brand ambassador for the newly formed partnership between the California based Feet First Foundation and the globally recognized World Boxing Council’s humanitarian branch “WBC Cares” Juárez has also been lauded as much for his work outside the ring as he has for what he’s accomplished in it. After graduating high school in his native Brownsville, Texas, Juárez dedicated himself to giving back to the state’s youth. Still only 21, he has spoken to close to 40,000 community members and received recognition from the Texas State Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. In the ring, Juárez was a highly decorated amateur who turned pro in September 2018. He notched four wins in 2020, including a vicious first-round TKO over Raul Chirino on December 26 that signaled his readiness for the next level.
