Detroit Boxing Community Pioneer Ali Salaam, Father Of Tony Harrison, Dies from COVID-19

The father and trainer of boxer, Tony Harrison, Ali Salaam, has died from coronavirus.

Salaam is said to be one of the veteran faces of the Detroit boxing game and has been a staple in the community for many years. 

Harrison took to Instagram on Monday to let the world know. “You was in a tough fight and you went the distance. The decision didn’t go our way, but we was together every step of the way,” he wrote. “What more could I ask!!!! My right hand forever. Get some rest, pops. It ain’t goodbye. Just see you later!!”

Salaam is just one member of a long boxing lineage in the family. His father, Henry Hank, was a middleweight and light heavyweight for about twenty years in fifties to the early seventies. Salaam then followed, putting together an 11-7 record as a welterweight. After his short, five-year career, he then became the devoted trainer to his son, Tony, who together put up one of the great upsets in modern boxing. Harrison upset then-champion, Jermell Charlo to win the title. However, Charlo regained the title in December of 2018. 

Outside of training his son, Salaam also ran a boxing gym that served under-privileged youth in the area, by the name of SuperBad Boxing Gym. 

CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS