DETROIT, MI – Detroit native Tony “SuperBad” Harrison came face-to-face with opponent Brian Chaves at a press conference ahead of their scheduled bout at the historic Fox Theatre on Dec. 20.
The press conference held at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 18 heard remarks from Dmitriy Salita President of Salita Promotions, Howard Handler President of 313 Presents, Oliva Curry, Kaye Scott, Tony Harrison (30-4-1, 21 KOs) and Brian Chaves(15-7, 6 KOs).
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Harrison, Detroit’s most recent world champion and one of the most recognizable figures in the city’s current boxing scene is on the path to career resurgence after two years away from the ring.
Harrison won his comeback fight by unanimous-decision in July 2025 as the co-main event for Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena.
Now approaching his second bout this year, Harrison displayed confidence, placing a wager on the fight and predicting a knockout.
“I think as long as he bring it, I’m going to bring it,” said Harrison. “I honestly put a hit on my own head, just so I made sure he’d bring it out. I don’t know if he got the news or not, but I told him I got $5,000 if he beat me. So I put a hit on my head, just to make sure that Brian comes with the most exciting and from there, I know we’ve got a good show going on.”
“I trained really really really hard for this fight, I am gambling with myself that the work that I put in, this fight won’t go over five rounds.”
Harrison says he believes his late father and trainer, Ali Salaam would be proud of the boxer he has become.
“I think my father would be proud of the person that I am today because he was trying to make that guy,” said Harrison. “This guy who I am today, he was trying to bring out seven years ago and it just took age to kind of become what he needed me to become. I’m a little more relaxed, calm, and cool, but I’m still firing, so I just hope that Brian don’t get it twisted.”
Harrison credits his Detroit upbringing for his unique skillset which features a high boxing IQ, a sharp jab and grit.
“I don’t think Brian has anything that I haven’t seen already before,” said Harrison. “My skillset is one of a kind. You got to have a certain type of grit and dog in you, and some of that comes from being from Detroit. Brian isn’t going to be the guy to knock me off my pivot. This is just a pit stop, and I’m going to show the world and look phenomenal. I’m going to make The Fox, Salita Promotions and my team look good on Saturday night.”
The bout between Harrison and Chaves will serve as the co-main event to Curry (7-2-2, 2 KOs) vs. Scott (4-1-1), which is one of the year’s most anticipated rematches for the WBC and WBA World Middleweight Titles.
In their first bout at Fox Theatre in Sept. 2025, Scott and Curry endured a bloody battle which ended in a majority draw. The two middleweights look to settle unfinished business at the historic venue and bring home championship hardware.
“I don’t have too much to say, on one hand my heart is split,” said Curry. “I’m thankful for Salita Promotions, and I don’t take any of this for granted. On the other hand, it’s tough for me to take a loss. I haven’t been thinking too much about the belt or the victory, because that’s the end result. All I’ve been thinking about is causing this woman right here next to me pain and breaking her down each round.”
“Detroit is truly a beautiful city,” said Scott. “I’ve spent the last week here enjoying what the city has to offer. But, I’m here for something greater and that’s to settle unfinished business on Saturday night. I’ve had a tough fight camp, but I feel a stronger inner confidence this time around. Olivia is a really competitive fighter, and I know she’s going to bring that energy and fire to the ring, but I feel confident that I’ll bring home that belt back to Australia.”
“Olivia Curry vs. Kaye Scott, was the modern day version of Gatti vs. Ward, for women’s boxing – the true definition of leaving it all in the ring, and Saturday night, with both the WBC and WBA belts on the line, will be no different," said Salita.
The fight card is stacked with top-level talent and local prospects including Flint’s Sardius Simmons, Jaquan McElroy and Garret Rice Jr., Detroit’s Kahmel Makled, Dearborn Heights’ Husam Al Mashhadi, Sterling Heights’ Davante Shumate and Pontiac’s Cameran Pankey.
The card will also see undefeated rising heavyweight force Pryce Taylor of Brooklyn, NY(9-0, 6 KOs) facing his toughest test to date against battle-tested contender Michael Coffie(13-5, 10 KOs) in an eight-round clash.
For decades, Detroit stood as one of boxing’s most important cities, a proving ground for champions, grit, and greatness. Bringing the sport back to the Fox Theatre is a statement.
Dec. 20 marks Salita Promotions’ second boxing event at the Fox, the third ever in the theatre, continuing a revival that few thought possible in a venue once reserved only for music legends and once-in-a-generation performances.
Under the leadership of Salita, and in partnership with 313 Presents, boxing has reclaimed its seat in one of the most storied arenas in American entertainment, a room once commanded by icons like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, now roaring again with the sound of gloves and ring bells.
The Big Time Boxing USA event at Detroit’s historic Fox Theatre will stream live on boxing streaming service, DAZN.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first fight scheduled for 6 p.m., leading into the DAZN telecast beginning at 9 p.m. The card is presented by Salita Promotions, with tickets available now on 313 Presents or Ticketmaster’s website.