It has been a long 16 months since Tony ‘Superbad’ Harrison’s last fight. In those 16 months, he lost his WBC super welterweight belt to his nemesis and now unified champion, Jermell Charlo. A global pandemic hit, and in the process, COVID-19 claimed the life of his father and trainer, Ali Salaam. It has been a rough go for the former champion, so when news dropped that Harrison was making his return against Bryant Perrella, he simply summed it up on Twitter.
The 30-year-old Harrison is one of the most skilled boxers in the sport. Those skills were put on display to the world in his December 2019 title defense against Charlo. Harrison had defeated him a year earlier by a close unanimous decision in their first fight lifting the WBC strap off Charlo. In their rematch, although he suffered an early knockdown, many felt that Harrison (28-3, 21 KOs) was winning the fight by beating Charlo to the punch early on. Unfortunately, Harrison got caught in the eleventh round and suffered 2 knockdowns, before taking more punishment on the ropes causing referee, Jack Reiss to call the fight.
Despite the setback, Harrison was able to take away some things to make himself a better fighter. “I just have to make sure I stay focused”, he was quoted saying during training camp for his upcoming fight. He also has a new trainer taking over the reins. “I’ve got my brother L.J. with me as my new head trainer and I’m doing this for me and my team.”, he said.
Perrella, (17-3, 14 KOs) is also coming into the fight after a long layoff. Perrella last fought in February of 2020 against welterweight Abel Ramos. He was ahead on all the scorecards but suffered a TKO loss with one second left in the tenth and final round in their fight.
After that fight, Perrella went on what he deemed “a sparring tour” and found himself in Pensacola, Florida and sparring with some of retired former three-division world champion, Roy Jones Jr.’s guys. This led to him sticking around to be trained by Jones. “It was an easy decision to stay out there and grow under one of the best fighters ever.”, Perrella said.
Aside from the corner change, this will be Perrella’s first time fighting at the super welterweight limit since his third professional bout. “The decision to move up in weight was because of how I felt in the Ramos fight,” said Perrella. “Making 147 pounds was taking a lot out of me. I performed well, but I know how I felt in that ring.”.
The importance of this fight is not lost on both men and they realize it. “This is a huge opportunity to fight one of the top guys at this weight,” said Perrella. “I wouldn’t have it any other way”. Harrison is expecting Perrella to come in and compete. “He’s no tune-up fight. I’m treating this fight like I’m 0–0 and this fight is for everything.”
Live on FOX @ 8pm ET/ 5pm PT from Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, CA
Super welterweights:
Tony ‘Superbad’ Harrison (28-3, 21 KOs) vs Bryant ‘Goodfella’ Perrella (17-3, 14 KOs)
Prediction: Harrison by late stoppage
Live on DAZN @ 3pm ET/ 12pm PT from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL
WBO Middleweight Champion:
Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) vs Liam Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs)
Prediction: Andrade by unanimous decision
Live on Triller PPV @ 9pm ET/ 6pm PT from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Cruiserweights:
‘The Problem Child’ Jake Paul (2-0, 2 KOs) vs ‘Funky’ Ben Asken (boxing debut)
Prediction: Paul by KO
Heavyweights:
Steve ‘U.S.S.’ Cunningham (29-9-1, 13 KOs) vs Frank Mir (boxing debut)
Prediction: Cunningham by decision
Super Lightweights:
Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) vs Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KOs)
Prediction: Prograis by KO
