Fila is present throughout athletics, but it has been missing from boxing for more than two decades. This is about to change, as the label is now the sponsor of undefeated welterweight boxer Dusty Hernandez-Harrison.
When Hernandez-Harrison steps into the ring Friday at the DC Armory in his hometown of Washington, D.C., against Mike Dallas Jr. (21-3-1, 10 KOs), he will be wearing a navy and white colorway of the brand’s BX-100 boxing shoe, created exclusively for the 21-year-old fighter.
“From day one of my partnership with Fila, they made it a top priority to create a completely customized boxing shoe for me. The fit is perfect and the shoe has been a major part of my training,” Hernandez-Harrison said.
Hernandez-Harrison (29-0, 16 KOs) is a growing name in the sport, aided by his appearance on HBO’s “24/7: Canelo-Khan” as a sparring partner of current middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. In his last fight, Hernandez-Harrison scored a third-round TKO victory over Angel Hernandez at The Belvedere in Elk Grove, Ill.
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“Dusty represents a new chapter in our storied lineage in the sport of boxing, allowing us to re-enter the squared circle for the first time in 22 years,” said Jon Epstein, president of Fila North America. “At only 21, with a record of 29-0, Dusty is undoubtedly a unique talent, but it is his character and his personal values that earn him a place in any conversation about the next great athlete for the Fila brand.”
For fans of Fila — especially devout sneakerheads — the shoe Hernandez-Harrison will wear will look very familiar.
“At first glance it’s pretty apparent where the inspiration for the BX-100 lies. In developing a ring-ready shoe for Dusty, we kept the FX-100 in mind because it addresses the needs of a boxing shoe while allowing us to refer to our history in athletic footwear,” said Mark Eggert, VP of Footwear Design & Advanced Concepts of Fila North America. “With the FX-100 coming back into rotation this season for the Heritage category, this was perfect timing.”
The fight will be televised live on BET starting at 10 p.m. EDT.
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