Tony Harrison is putting the finishing touches on training camp for his first fight in two years.
The occasion also marks the first fight in his hometown in more than a decade when he faces Edward Ulloa Diaz on July 26 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. It’s the perfect backdrop, Harrison feels, to announce his ring return at middleweight, where he feels rejuvenated and on the right path to another major title.
“I can’t wait to fight in my hometown of Detroit on July 26th,” Harrison said during a media workout from his self-owned SuperBad Boxing Gym in Detroit. “The middleweight division better take notice - I’m coming for my second world title, and I’m more focused than ever.”
Harrison’s scheduled ten-round middleweight serves as the chief support to the Claressa Shields-Lani Daniels undisputed women’s heavyweight championship. Both bouts will air live on DAZN and will be presented by Salita Promotions.
Harrison, 29-4-1 (21 KOs) has not fought since a March 2023 knockout loss to Tim Tszyu in a bid for the WBO junior middleweight title. His last win came in April 2022 when he soundly outpointed former title challenger Sergio Garcia over ten rounds.
At his peak, Harrison held the WBC 154lbs title for exactly 52 weeks dating back to his December 2018 points win over then-unbeaten Jermell Charlo. Their December 2019 rematch saw Charlo gain revenge via eleventh-round, technical knockout.
Harrison is just 1-1-1 since that night. The upcoming clash with Dominican Republic’s Ulloa Diaz, 15-6 (12 KOs) will mark his official middleweight debut after a 14-year career spent at junior middleweight. He will also fight in Detroit for the first time in 2014.
“Tony Harrison and his family are the bedrock of the Detroit boxing community — deeply rooted, respected, and committed to giving back,” said Dmitriy Salita, head of Salita Promotions who recently signed Harrison. “It’s meaningful that Tony, the last world champion from Detroit, will be fighting at Little Caesars Arena, just minutes from where he grew up.
“Alongside Claressa Shields, another Michigan-born icon, this event showcases the strength, pride, and legacy of boxing in our great state.”
A chance to appear before his hometown fans is a big reason why Harrison signed with Dmitry Salita, a Brooklyn-bred former title challenger who has become Detroit’s leading promoter.
“It’s incredible to see what Salita is doing for boxing in Detroit. We’re here in my gym, right in the heart of the city, with cameras and photographers — and the kids see it. They get inspired. I’m fighting just down the street at Little Caesars Arena, live on DAZN, and that kind of visibility motivates the next generation. That’s what it’s all about.”
