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PBC on FOX show will once again go head-to-head with bigger shows on April 17, when former junior middleweight titleholder Tony Harrison returns to take on Bryant Perrella in the main event.
April 17 will also have the Jake Paul vs Ben Askren pay-per-view from Triller Fight Club, as well as the Demetrius Andrade vs Liam Williams card on DAZN.
The 30-year-old Harrison (28-3, 21 KO) hasn’t fought since Dec. 2019, when he lost the WBC 154-pound title in a rematch with Jermell Charlo, a year after having scored a controversial decision over Charlo in Brooklyn.
Harrison has also experienced loss outside the ring in the time since his last fight.
“Due to the pandemic, we’ve lost a lot of people over the last year, including my father Ali Salaam, and I’m dedicating this fight and the rest of my career to him,” said Harrison. “My father was always there in my corner, and I’ll continue with him right by my side spiritually. But my brother L.J. is my head trainer now and we’re working hard to prepare for a tough fighter in Perrella.
“I’m coming off the longest layoff of my career, so I’m just excited to get back in action. The realest fighter in the game is coming back and I’m glad we’re going to be bringing this fight to everyone. This fight will be fireworks and I’ll be looking out for whenever it’s execution time. When I see the opportunity, I’ll knock his head off and put it on my mantle.”
Perrella (17-3, 14 KO) will be coming up from welterweight, having last fought in Feb. 2020, a dramatic and also controversial literally last second stoppage loss to Abel Ramos in a fight Perrella was winning on the cards. The 32-year-old Perrella has the frame to fight at 154 (or even 160, maybe), but he’s come up short in his biggest matchups, and has never quite broken through.
“I’ve made big changes in my game and they will reflect a more proficient fighter when I step in against Tony Harrison,” said Perrella. “I don’t care about status or resume heading into this fight. I’m coming to do what I do best, and that’s dominate. I can’t wait to get in there and perform.”
Junior welterweight prospect Omar Juarez (10-0, 5 KO) will also return to face Jessie Roman (22-4, 11 KO), and 18-year-old welterweight Vito Mielnicki Jr (8-0, 5 KO) will be in action as well.