Welterweights Dusty Hernandez-Harrison and Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna have engaged in heated sparring sessions, but now the young fighters will throw down for real.
Hernandez-Harrison, 22, of Washington, D.C., and LaManna, 24, of Millville, New Jersey, will meet in a scheduled 10-round fight on Sept. 15 in the main event of a CBS Sports Net-televised card at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, organizers announced Monday. They are both popular draws in their home regions but will fight on neutral turf.
“This is the kind of fight boxing needs at this juncture,” Hall of Fame promoter and matchmaker Russell Peltz said. “We have two young prospects at the same level meeting in a logical location — New Jersey against Washington, D.C., in Philadelphia. Boxing needs more fights like this in this kind of setting. This is the best fight for each of these fighters at this point of their careers.”
Hernandez-Harrison (29-0-1, 16 KOs), who is promoted by Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports, had a rough time in his past bout, being held to a split draw by Mike Dallas Jr. on May 13 in Washington in a fight that many felt Hernandez-Harrison lost.
“This is a big opportunity for both of us,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “The winner will get a top-15 world ranking by the IBF, and that’s what this is about. I have known Thomas for a long time, but that all goes out the window when we step into the ring.”
LaManna (22-1, nine KOs) has reeled off five wins in a row since suffering his lone defeat, a sixth-round knockout to then-unbeaten Antoine Douglas in March 2015.
“I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a long time,” LaManna said. “Our careers have run parallel. Dusty will bring plenty of fans to support him that night, and the same goes for me. It’s an intriguing match for both of us, and it’s in a natural setting where it belongs.”
Among those appearing on the undercard are Baltimore super middleweight Jerry Odom (14-2-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder and welterweight prospect Kenneth Sims Jr. (7-0, two KOs), of Chicago, in a six-rounder. They will face opponents to be determined.
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