By Jake Donovan

Dusty Hernandez-Harrison was forced to contend without having his father, Buddy Harrison in his corner for the first time in his career.

It was the only tough task he faced in his latest ring appearance, tearing through Angel Hernandez inside of three rounds Friday evening at The Belvedere in Elk Grove, Illinois.

The fight was never believed to be competitive on paper and perhaps even less so in the ring. Hernandez-Harrison was in full control for the brief affair, which came to a halt early into round three.

Hernandez-Harrison cruises to 29-0 (16KOs) in picking up his third straight knockout victory. It was a week of mixed emotions for the 21-year old welterweight from Washington D.C. The press office at Roc Nation Sports – with whom Hernandez-Harrison signed last January – announced that the rising prospect now carries GEICO Insurance as a major sponsor.

It was a big moment in his career, though offset by the news of his father unable to make the trip. It was the first time after 225 combined amateur and pro fights in which father and son were not together on fight night.

The result remained the same as has been the case since Hernandez-Harrison turned pro in June ’11.

His only hiccups to date have been keeping active.

In signing with Roc Nation Sports a year ago, just two of his fights actually came on events carrying the company’s banner. His past three ring appearances have come as paid spots on other promoters’ shows, although this fight came about after efforts to get Hernandez-Harrison in the ring on a Roc Nation-promoted HBO Latino telecast last December failed to materialize due to 11th hour issues.

At the very least, his 2016 is off to a promising start in the ring.

NO MONROE

Friday’s show was also to feature Willie Monroe Jr., who has been out of the ring since a 6th round knockout loss to Gennady Golovkin last May. His name has been mentioned as a possible candidate to face World middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who remains in need of an opponent for his May 7 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s possible that Monroe – the nephew of former 1970s middleweight contender Willie ‘The Worm’ Monroe – still lands the assignment. Means to first return to the win column, however, will have to come another evening as he was pulled from the show for undisclosed reasons.

UNDERCARD

Nicholas Mazurek (3-0, 3KOs) was extended beyond the opening round for the first time in his young career, but had little trouble in dispatching Francois Russell in the 2nd round of their heavyweight clash. The mismatch was stopped with Russell (2-15) still on his feet but unable to defend himself. Mazurek remains a knockout each time out through three fights dating back to his pro debut last July.

Nick Asberry remained unbeaten after soundly outpointing veteran Jamal Woods in their six-round heavyweight clash. Asberry – who lives less than an hour away in Waukegan, Illinois – controlled the action for the most part, although Woods (8-25-4, 8KOs) was competitive in spots. Scores were 59-55 in favor of Asberry, who moves to 9-0 (4KOs).

Javier Rivera (1-0, 1KO) enjoyed a successful pro debut, barely breaking a sweat in scoring a 1st round knockout of hapless Nicholas Brand (0-3, 0KOs) in their bantamweight prelim. A series of power shots set Brand to the canvas, prompting an immediate stoppage at 0:38 of round one.

All bouts were streamed live by lead promoter Hitz Boxing through its Periscope account.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox