Dusty Harrison vs Michael Balasi March 7 on ESPN

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Members of the press studied the candied bacon and chicken wings from Founding Farmers, just across Pennsylvania Avenue. P.R. pros confidently wove through the small crowd, shaking hands and offering guests Starbucks coffee.

At the front of a glass conference room here in Northwest D.C., 2012 Stiff Jab Prospect of the Year Dusty Hernandez-Harrison stood silently, uncharacteristically alone. Dusty used the time to collect his thoughts before addressing the reporters who had gathered to hear about his next bout against Michael Balasi (10-3, 7 KOs) on March 7th in San Diego on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

If there was one overarching theme from today’s press conference, it’s that DUSTY LOVES THE DMV. I’m surprised there aren’t already shirts bearing that slogan, printed and circulating among the thousands of local fight fans who are down for Dusty. From All-In Entertainment President Jeff Fried to Dusty’s father Buddy Harrison to the young boxer himself, every person who spoke wanted to emphasize that Dusty’s favorite aspect of being a local star is the “local”, not the “star”.

Contemplate this opening line from Fried: “Our purpose is to stay connected to where it all started: Washington, D.C.”

It’s a message worth repeating, since Dusty fought in his hometown only once last year, after fighting in D.C. eight times over the previous 12 months. Buddy Harrison said Dusty would fight every month in Chocolate City if he could, but it isn’t in his best interests. The plan is to bring Dusty home to D.C. for a fight in a few months.

Considering the effect Dusty has on locals– he made a girl weep while visiting his old high school recently– that future fight will surely feature the loud and proud fans who often swamp the young welterweight at local malls. One of the reasons Harrison inspires such loyalty is his habit of immediately mingling with his fans, post-fight, to thank them, sometimes individually.

As the 19-year old put it, “It’s fun right now. The people who look up to me are all from home…they’re more friends or family, not fans.”

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Harrison is still in his teens. He is focused, calm, and confident, though perhaps most teenagers would be after 20 wins, more than half by knockout. While eyeing the elegant spread of appetizers and baked goods, Dusty casually mentioned that he’s already close to his fighting weight. Training is simply routine for him, and the only difference between today and any other random day is he steps up the intensity right before fights.

“Unlike others with similar athletic abilities, Dusty has the desire to be great. He’s incredibly humble, but a switch goes off in the ring and that humility transforms into pure focus,” Fried said.

Part of what keeps Harrison down to earth are his parents. The press chuckled when Dusty revealed that his mom cries at weigh-ins and often can’t bear to watch him fight.

“He saves money, because she doesn’t want ringside tickets,” Buddy noted.

As for himself, Buddy Harrison revealed he often has no advice for his son between rounds beyond “Keep going.” That’s how satisfied he is with his son’s prowess in the ring.

Harrison is confident about his upcoming fight against Balasi, even though he’s the first southpaw Dusty has fought at this level with a winning record. To prepare he has been sparring in training camp with a southpaw every day, in the hopes of dazzling family members in California who have yet to see him box.

When asked how he feels about the upcoming match, Harrison replied “I’m just excited to fight on the West coast.”

While March’s bout is his current focus, Harrison says his ultimate opponent would be Amir Khan (and it’s been Khan since 2011). Never one to shy away from hyperbole, Buddy boasted that he and his son argue daily about future match-ups. “He’d fight Mayweather or Pacquiao tomorrow if we let him.”

Revisiting the idea of greatness, Fried exhorted any of us who questioned Dusty’s abilities to watch the ninth round of his fight against Josh Torres, because it was “perfection”.

“You can’t teach a desire to be great,” Fried said.

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