Tony Harrison has never been one to mince words, especially over the last year or so with Jermell Charlo.
As much as both fighters have used social media or press conferences to sling words at one another, Harrison is convinced the pressure is more on Charlo to win their rematch tonight at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The 12-round bout, for Harrison’s WBC junior middleweight title, will headline a three-bout FOX telecast (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
Harrison (28-2, 21 knockouts) captured the WBC title by defeating Charlo on Dec. 22 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The decision over Charlo was Harrison’s fourth consecutive victory since his knockout loss to Jarrett Hurd in February of 2017.
The 28-year-old was scheduled to fight Charlo on June 23 in Las Vegas but the bout was postponed about three weeks prior due to Harrison suffering a sprain to his right ankle during training that forced the postponement.
A rematch between Harrison and Charlo was immediately called for after the first fight, as there were some who thought Charlo did enough to win and retain his title. Harrison scoffs at the notion.
“I laugh when I hear people say they thought Charlo won the fight,” Harrison told BoxingScene over the phone before Thursday’s press conference. “I haven’t seen one person who has credibility that thought I lost the fight. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that’s the downside. Some people on social media have an opinion.”
“Then again, controversy makes for more fights and more money.”
Both fighters have thrown insults at one another, especially at the press conference and televised programming to further hype the fight. It has gotten personal between both fighters to no one’s surprise.
Harrison has stated Charlo’s words have not gotten under his skin, but rather motivated him for tonight’s fight.
“I always want to win,” said Harrison, who resides in Detroit, Michigan, “My goal going in is that there is nothing else then win. The game-plan is to win, but if I get that opportunity, I’m going to stop him. His talk has given me that extra motivation.”
Should Harrison come out victorious, there are attractive bouts at 154 pounds in 2020. There is a possibility of facing the IBF and WBA titleholder Julian Williams, should he defeat Jeison Rosario on Jan. 18. There is also a possibility of world title defense against fighters like Erickson Lubin.
Harrison wants to unify all the belts in the division, including newly-crowned WBO junior middleweight titleholder Patrick Teixeira, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and fights on ‘the other side of the street.’
“I always have the outlook that I want to unify the best in the division. I want to prove that I’m the best in the world. Fighters who want to unify are always willing to want to capture and and all world title belts.”
“I’ve enjoyed myself thus far in my career. I won a world title belt and I want more. If Jermell Charlo is standing in my way five more times in order for me to unify or win another world title belt, that’s fine. I’ll beat him five more times.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
