It’s been nearly two years since Tony Harrison last fought for a world title, but he’s ready to put that loss behind him and win his first belt.
Harrison is set to fight Jermell Charlo for Charlo’s WBC junior middleweight title on the December 22 PBC on FOX telecast and is as ready as he will ever be. This will be Harrison’s first shot at a title since losing to Jarrett Hurd with the IBF title on the line back in February 2017, but since then, has won his last three fights to get back to this point.
During a recent media call, Harrison was asked by Fightful whether the loss to Hurd has helped him stay hungry and motivated to keep fighting for a world title. The 28-year-old Harrison said he has left the past stay in the past and said he’s had a great training camp, adding that it was also the longest training camp of his career.
“Man I'm not even thinking about Jarrett Hurd, that fight was years ago. I left that fight right where I left it. I moved on. I fought [three] times after that. I don't need no more added motivation. I've got a family I got to feed. I've got people that's rooting me on. And just with me, I'm competitive in my own without nobody else. So I want to do it for me. I want that fight back with Hurd just as bad as Jermell wants it for the first time. So in order for me to get the fight I got to win the title. I know for sure I won't get it again. So for me, I just keep doing what I'm doing man. But I left that in the past. I had a great training camp two months -- two months and two weeks' worth is actually the longest I've ever trained for a fight. Basically it costs five weeks, four weeks or something like that. I feel good, body feels good. I'm focused on December 22, I'm focused on Jermell. I'm focused on the WBC title and I just want to give a good show,” Harrison said.
Since that loss to Hurd, Harrison won fights against Paul Valenzuela Jr., George Sosa and most recently, a hard-fought split decision win over Ishe Smith back in May. Harrison's latest win streak put him back into title contention and in the top five in the WBC rankings.
The fight will be the co-main event bout to the PBC telecast with Jermall Charlo defending his interim WBC middleweight title against Matt Korobov in the main event.
