Detroit native and former WBC Junior Middleweight World Champion Tony “SuperBad” Harrison hosted an open media workout ahead of his co-main event bout on the Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels card taking place on July 26 at Little Caesar’s Arena.
Harrison hosted the open media workout on July 15 at Superbad Boxing Gym on Puritan Ave in Detroit, which is owned by him and his brother L.J.
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On a mission to reclaim a world title, Harrison is set to step back into the ring for the first time since his WBO Interim Super Welterweight showdown against Tim Tszyu in 2023. Harrison says time was running out for him to get back in the ring and at this age he’s focused on limiting mistakes.
“The clock was ticking,” said Harrison. “I’m 35. I took two years off at 33 and I’m not getting no younger. So now at this given time, I’m mentally preparing myself from being Roy Jones Jr. to Bernard Hopkins. So that has been like the biggest transition to coming back. Athletically, I feel like I can still do it, but with age, it doesn’t come out like it used to. So it’s going down from being like I said, Roy Jones to Bernard Hopkins, doing everything correctly that I didn’t do correctly when I was 25.”
Harrison says he’s excited to headline the card alongside Flint native and Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Claressa Shields.
“There’s no better person in the world that I’d rather fight behind than fighting behind Claressa,” said Harrison. “First of all, things she’s done and things she’s doing for not only boxing, but women’s boxing, she’s really the forefront and the president of women’s boxing. To do it in the city that I was birthed in, it was kind of like a no brainer for me. It was no amount of money they could have paid me in the world not to be on this card. So it wasn’t about a money thing. It was about a growth thing. It was about seeing the city thrive. It’s about having one good night of boxing so everybody comes together and see two people do what they love to do and dominate.”
Salita Promotions has put on several major boxing events in Flint and Detroit over the past three years. Harrison says he partnered with Salita Promotions because the company’s president, Dmitriy Salita, has an interest in growing boxing in Detroit and other cities in Michigan.
“50 percent of the battle was finding somebody that believed and loved the city of Detroit, like I did,” said Harrison. “So that was kind of like 50% of the battle, and the other 50 percent was me, believing in me. Not only do I have a guy that believes in Detroit boxing and puts his money behind it and puts his soul behind it, but he shows up for it. Not just kind of talk about it, but Claressa has been doing shows at LCA, and I’ve been wanting to get on those shows. What better way to do it than a guy that loves Detroit boxing like I do. So I think the partnership is gonna be great, because we both got the same goal in mind. Kick ass and make Detroit the forefront.”
“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," said Harrison. “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.”
Opposite Harrison will be Dominican Republic’s Edward Diaz (15-6, 12 KOs). Diaz is on the heels of a knockout victory over Juan Martinez.
Boxing is in Harrison’s blood as he is a third-generation professional fighter. His grandfather, Henry Hank, fought from 1955 to 1972 and retired with a record of 62-31-4, 40 KOs.
Henry’s son, Ali Salaam – Harrison’s father and former trainer, now deceased – was a professional welterweight who fought from 1984 to 1989 and retired with a record of 11-6, 5 KOs.
“Tony Harrison and his family are the bedrock of the Detroit boxing community — deeply rooted, respected, and committed to giving back," said President of Salita Promotions Dmitriy Salita. “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.”
“Tony’s really fighting for the city,” said Salita. " When he’s not boxing, he’s out here motivating kids and setting them straight in a real way."
---->Tony “SuperBad” Harrison signs with Salita Promotions, to fight this month in Detroit
Full media workout and interview: