This Friday, January 31, Washington, D.C., welterweight sensation Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will make his National TV debut on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights. Recently, FightHype had the opportunity to speak with Dusty, his father and trainer Buddy Harrison, and his promoter, Jeff Fried, President of All-In Entertainment. "Washington, D.C. has some of the best boxers in the country, amateur and professional. I have fought and sparred with most of them. I have gotten better because of them. If I want to be the best, I must work with the best. Coming up in the amateurs here in D.C. was tough. In fact, it was harder to advance in tournaments locally than to win in the regionals. I hope to follow the tradition of great champions coming from D.C.," Hernandez stated, and you don't want to miss what else he had to say about his big opportunity this Friday. Check it out!
FH: You have received tremendous exposure during the past year, but this is your first live fight on National TV. Do you feel any extra pressure to put on a great performance?
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (DHH): I have been training hard as I know every fight gets tougher. I don't really get caught up in all the lights and things like that because I have been doing this [boxing] for as long as I can remember. I appreciate the opportunity and will continue to work hard.
FH: Buddy, Tim Witherspoon Jr. is very tall welterweight. How important is it for Dusty to see different looks in the ring as he continues to develop?
Buddy Harrison (BH): Dusty had over 200 amateur fights, 19 professional fights, and we prepared well for this fight. We brought in some tall sparring partners and Dusty will be ready on January 31, as we know Tim will too.
FH: Since joining the All-In Entertainment Family, Dusty has been very busy, both in and out of the ring. How important do you feel that is to a young fighter's development and how long would you like to keep up this pace?
BH: We would like to stay as busy as possible. We have been this way since he was six years old. It keeps him sharp and in shape. Now we know that the fights get more and more difficult, better competition, longer rounds, etc., but with Jeff Fried, you can guarantee that we will be busy and each fight has a purpose in Dusty's growth plan. Dusty, Jeff and I discussed all of this at our year-end meeting and we know an active and challenging 2014 lies ahead.
FH: In 2013, you seemed to fight on the road a lot, which seemed to be intentional to get you the experience in front of different crowds. What was that like for you after fighting mainly in front of your hometown Washington, D.C. fans in 2012? Are you looking forward to the two major Washington D.C. boxing events that Jeff has planned for you this year?
DHH: I fought on the road seven times in 2013. The opportunities came up and Jeff, my dad, and I went over our choices. I enjoyed fighting in front of different crowds; the fans always make me feel right at home. I can't wait to get back in front of our hometown fans in the Spring, but my focus is on Tim Witherspoon Jr. and this Friday. After that, I can start thinking about what's next.
FH: Jeff, you've worn many different hats so-to-speak at the highest levels of the boxing industry. What was the motivation for you to go into the promotional side and work with Dusty?
Jeff Fried (JF): Within the first 60 seconds of our very first meeting, I knew that Dusty and Buddy had tremendous integrity and values. Our time working together as a closely-knit team simply confirms those instincts. Quality family. You can watch all the tape you want and sit ringside analyzing round after round, however, nothing is more important than the trust and comfort that comes from looking another person in the eye. Collectively, we are blessed to have that comfort level with each other and our families.
FH: What exactly is All-In Entertainment? It seems to be much more than just a boxing promotional company, as your long and distinguished success in entrepreneurial endeavors seems to be a part of it all.
JF: We have been quite fortunate in our entrepreneurial pursuits. Dusty is starting at an early age participating in our vision, strategy, and execution meetings and interacting with people from all walks of life. He handles it all extremely well. The following two core principles are prominently displayed in our office, defining, in part, what we are all about:
"Doing well, while doing good..."
"History honors the daring, forgets the timid..."
FH: Before your son turned to the professional ranks, a lot of boxing so-called industry heavy-hitters were interested in signing Dusty. What ultimately led you to Jeff Fried and All-In Entertainment?
BH: We met with several people who were interested in Dusty, but only one of them had the exact same ideas as me and that we fully trusted. That was Jeff Fried. He is not only with us in business, he is also our friend. Dusty and I both see or speak with him on a daily basis. We also know and became friends with his entire family. We share things with Jeff that we share with no other. I would love to tell you in detail how much he does for Dusty, but by doing so, it would only make every other professional boxer realize that their deal sucks. So, I will not ruin their day.
FH: Jeff Fried isn't just a boxing promoter. What has it been like working so closely with someone involved in many different facets of major successful business ventures?
DHH: Jeff has taken me with him many times to business meetings in DC, Cali., New York, Las Vegas, etc. I learn something new each and every time I am with him. I feel like if I was signed with someone else, I might just be another fighter on their roster, but with Jeff, I really feel like part of his family. I don't think another promoter would be as concerned with my life after boxing as Jeff is and that's why he includes me in the other business aspects of what he does. It's amazing what I am learning and how everyone in his business world are really like a family.
FH: Jeff, why do you feel it is important to include Dusty in some of your day-to-day business dealings?
JF: Dusty's growth as a professional, both in and out of the ring, is important to me. Exposure to different situations, including circumstances outside of one's comfort zone, builds important foundation and background, regardless of your chosen field.
FH: Why do you seem so selective in the athletes with whom you work with, whether it be boxing, basketball, poker, or broadcasting, or CEO's of major companies?
JF: Great character prevails at the end of the day. With whom you associate, both personally and professionally, is critical in reaching your goals and establishing happiness. We have an internal philosophy that "it is impossible to do a good deal with a bad person," and whether it is six days, six months, or six years, one's character, ultimately, will come out in commercial dealings.
FH: Dusty, there seems to be something of a renaissance going on in the D.C. boxing scene and you're a big, if not the biggest, part of that. What is that like for you?
DHH: Washington, D.C. has some of the best boxers in the country, amateur and professional. I have fought and sparred with most of them. I have gotten better because of them. If I want to be the best, I must work with the best. Coming up in the amateurs here in D.C. was tough. In fact, it was harder to advance in tournaments locally than to win in the regionals. I hope to follow the tradition of great champions coming from D.C.
FH: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing to the readers of FightHype?
DHH: I just want to thank all my fans for all the support because without the fans, I truly wouldn't be where I am today. Make sure you tune into ESPN Friday Night Fights this Friday! Also, please make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Dusty30th and follow @AllIn_DC.